Ok, I'm slow and overweight. But I've always run. I run for stress relief and because I enjoy it, have never trained or really tried to improve. In the fall, I was running on the TM at the gym 2-3 times a week, at between 5 and 5.5 miles per hour (somewhere between 11 and 12 minutes per mile). It felt like a good, hard workout and I was flushed and sweating by the end of it.
in December, I decided that I was over the treadmill and went outside to run. It felt great, easier, and much more fun. I knew I was slower but I didn't know how much.
for Christmas, I got a gps watch. Turns out I went from 11-12 minutes a mile to SIXTEEN. Yikes.
After five weeks of daily running, I'm down to 12.45-13.30 minutes a mile, outside. I'm still not where I was 2 months ago on the TM (or maybe where I still am on the TM). I enjoy running outside more, and I'm thrilled that I've shaved off 3 minutes per mile in a little over a month, but I'm still shocked that I'm nowhere near as fast outside as I am on the dreadmill. It feels like my legs are the slow part, and like my heart and lungs are up for more (used to more?).
So, what do I do? Just keep going and hope that in another month I'm up to my original speed? Go back to the boring but easy gym treadmill runs? Strength work for my legs? Speed work?
and how is this even possible? I though running outside was supposed to be easier and more enjoyable! Why am I so slow outside???
Don't be so hard on yourself! I have a lot of thoughts on this. But this used to be me. I got conditioned to the treadmill and had a hard time transitioning to the road.
The treadmill is mentally harder, but physically it is easier at least for me. So you may not hit equivalent paces on the road that you've hit on the treadmill.
I would just keep on outside. You've been conditioned to the treadmill and you're still getting used to the road. They really are different animals. Transitioning from the treadmill to the road can be a lot harder IMHO. There was a time when I could bang out 4 miles on the treadmill easy, but could barely run a mile or two outside.
Don't compare your treadmill speed with your road pace and you'll be fine.
Ditto everything mrshandy said, and to add to the whole, "It's just what you're used to, keep at it" sentiment, I am a solid minute slower on the treadmill. It works both ways! I am used to the road and the treadmill totally screws me up. I bet if you keep practicing outside, you'll see those paces come down.
Don't be so hard on yourself! I have a lot of thoughts on this. But this used to be me. I got conditioned to the treadmill and had a hard time transitioning to the road.
The treadmill is mentally harder, but physically it is easier at least for me. So you may not hit equivalent paces on the road that you've hit on the treadmill.
I would just keep on outside. You've been conditioned to the treadmill and you're still getting used to the road. They really are different animals. Transitioning from the treadmill to the road can be a lot harder IMHO. There was a time when I could bang out 4 miles on the treadmill easy, but could barely run a mile or two outside.
Don't compare your treadmill speed with your road pace and you'll be fine.
Thanks. I know (boy, do I ever) that they're different animals, but it's still hard to go from a slow-ish but not horrible pace to, well, I think I could walk faster than my first outdoor run.
and I really do enjoy outside more. I just have to keep reminding myself of that.
Ditto everything mrshandy said, and to add to the whole, "It's just what you're used to, keep at it" sentiment, I am a solid minute slower on the treadmill. It works both ways! I am used to the road and the treadmill totally screws me up. I bet if you keep practicing outside, you'll see those paces come down.
What everyone said already! The treadmill doesn't have hills or stop signs or traffic or the broken up sidewalk you have to slow down for. You are doing awesome!!
Post by bluedaisyus on Feb 8, 2016 22:08:57 GMT -5
When I first started running I did a couch to 5k completely on the treadmill. When I finished I wanted to switch to running outdoors, but I had such a difficult time pacing pacing myself. I got so frustrated with the transition that I gave up. I didn't run for a year. Treadmill running is so different. It can get tedious, but it sets the pace for you, there aren't hills or weather concerns, and the surface is easier. Outdoor running has varied terrain, the pavement is harder, you have to consider the temperature, humidity, and precipitation, and you have to set your own pace which was very difficult for me. When I started back up again I did a program with my LRS and it was so much better, and I found that I really enjoy training with other people. I know some people prefer to run alone, but for me it helps. I still struggled (and I'm still slow), but I kept at it. Running is such a mental game. If you really want to get faster you can always try to add in some speed work to one of your weekly runs. There are some good articles out there on adding them into your routine.
Ditto everything mrshandy said, and to add to the whole, "It's just what you're used to, keep at it" sentiment, I am a solid minute slower on the treadmill. It works both ways! I am used to the road and the treadmill totally screws me up. I bet if you keep practicing outside, you'll see those paces come down.
Ditto this! I have only run outside and just got a treadmill this winter. I'M finding it a difficult adjustment because it's just not what in used to. I'm definitely slower on the treadmill. I'm sure once spring comes around I'll struggle to adjust back to outdoors. I'd just keep at it and once you adjust I'll bet you'll be back to that pace.
You have gotten good advice already, but I wanted to add that you should remember that you run for stress relief and fitness, so don't let your pace stress you out! Sometimes you just have to leave the watch at home and enjoy the fresh air and scenery. Do you have a running buddy that could go with you to make running outside fun?
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Hey - go easy on yourself. If you enjoy it outside, does the time/pace really matter? I think that's what I'd be asking myself. I'm much slower on the treadmill, so like clseale said, it works both ways. Keep it up, and just have fun.
I'm much, much slower on a treadmill. I actually find that when I'm outside, I just let myself go and run where it feels good and I sometimes find myself a minute faster than my usual pace. Then other times, I'm 2 minutes slower. Just being outside and adapting to the terrain is going to vary your times by a ton. Just feel good that you're out there and enjoying it!
I think running outside takes a little bit more awareness to run faster as you don't have the treadmill setting the pace for you. If I were in your shoes I would pick up the pace outside and see how your body adapts.
Great advice already, but I also wanted to echo the sentiment that don't worry too much about your speed regardless at this point, unless you have a specific time goal you are trying to hit for a particular race. You are doing awesome! I don't have a treadmill, but have the same phenomenon happen when I take it from the road to the trails, even with no hills. I'm much slower, but I LOVE it so much it doesn't even matter.
like the wise @cheshire said, I think if you are enjoying running, who cares what your pace is? I have found running to be so much more enjoyable when I don't look at time or watches or speed. I am running because I like it and want to be outside. If I want to walk for a minute, so be it. Enjoy yourself and have fun and you will see you will eventually start to get speedier.
Post by keweenawlove on Feb 9, 2016 10:30:36 GMT -5
Treadmill running is so confusing to me because as you can see from this point, some people are way faster and some are way slower. In theory, I feel like you should be faster on a treadmill because you're not really having to propel yourself forward (my H is in this camp) but I'm in the "it's way slower camp" I'm sure my stride is different and that's affecting it.
If you're enjoying being outside more, stay outside! You've already made huge gains. There's so many more factors outside that can slow you down and they'll ultimately make you a better runner. Don't be afraid to leave your GPS watch at home either and just either go for a set loop or amount of time. I tend to leave my watch at home a lot of days in the winter when I know snow and ice are going to make me a lot slower than I think I'm going.
Post by fuckyourcouch on Feb 9, 2016 10:48:04 GMT -5
I am so much slower on the treadmill, and it completely messes up my form. I hate it. It definitely goes both ways.
Running outside takes getting used to with hills and everything else. Maybe try adding some speed work or something if you're worried about it, but being active and doing what you're doing is great already! It's hard not to focus on pace but like others said, focus on enjoying your exercise.
Post by farfalla2011 on Feb 9, 2016 11:48:13 GMT -5
Definitely keep up the great work! Outside is so much different than the treadmill. You don't have something keeping a consistent pace, plus the terrain is always changing, so it is ultimately physically more difficult.
It's really hard for me to remember as well, but, just focus on the stress relief of it and feeling like your getting the workout in that you want or need. As much as we probably all want to get faster, it doesn't matter what pace we are performing at, it's more about getting the exercise and the enjoyment out of the activity.
I looked over my data and I think I subconsciously shifted my stride about 10 days ago, because one day I was suddenly a lot faster than the day before, and I do feel like I'm coming down more on the center/heel and less on my toes now that I'm off the TM. I'm sure there's some fitness gains from running every day, but it's also about the mechanics of it, for me at least.