General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Treadmill vs Indoor Track Rss Feed  
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2012-11-27 2:31 PM


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Subject: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
Now that it is getting cold I find myself running on the indoor track (1/10 of a mile) at my gym. I notice that the track has very few runners. While the treadmills always have runners. Besides the ability to watch TV am I missing out on something by not running on the treadmill?


2012-11-27 2:43 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track

The constant angled surface of the indoor track can lead to hip issues.  You should make sure you are regularly changing direction (every 10-20 laps, or each mile, whatever).

 

Beyond that, if you're going to be running where the scenery never changes, may as well do it on a softer, flatter, surface with a TV to help occupy the mind.

2012-11-27 3:25 PM
in reply to: #4512041

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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track

What Chris said.

I'll also my personal experience on this. My gym has a 1/10 track also. Depending on how long you are talking about running, there's 40 turns in a mile. Ten miles...you get it. I actually would feel the turns after a while if i was doing long runs on this. If i had to go for over an hour, i actually rotated time between the treadmill and track, but i do like the track. Some would use that same argument of outside running versus the treadmill...the belt draws your leg back, you need to up the incline to 1 degree or so.

2012-11-27 3:32 PM
in reply to: #4512041


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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
Thanks I will test out the treadmill and see if I like it. The track is flat but it is a lot of turns. The track is somewhat interesting it overlooks the pool and basketball courts and around the cardio and weight equipment.
2012-11-27 3:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
Treadmill for me coz it's cold(er) outside. I would run outside on the daytime but when the sun is out, I hit the gym and use the treadmill
2013-03-08 8:05 AM
in reply to: #4512041


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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
To be honest, unless I plan on running a very long distance, I'll stick to the track surface. Always have felt that my legs get a better workout. Instead of lightly stepping on a moving rubber mat, I think my legs get a better workout on a hard, grounded surface. Thoughts on that? It could totally be a mental thing I'm just not sure of the science behind it.


2013-03-08 9:14 AM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
Our gym has a small track on it as well with only 3 fairly normal straight sections.  I have been a few times, and I will use the straight sections for my striders or short quick bursts and jog lightly around the curves to make sure no knee issues.  I did this after my normal treadmill steady run and it seemed to break up the workout nicely.  I feel that it helped me make sure that I was not over striding which sometimes is difficult for me to tell on the dreadmill. 
2013-03-08 10:21 AM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track

harris.margaret9 - 2013-03-08 6:05 AM To be honest, unless I plan on running a very long distance, I'll stick to the track surface. Always have felt that my legs get a better workout. Instead of lightly stepping on a moving rubber mat, I think my legs get a better workout on a hard, grounded surface. Thoughts on that? It could totally be a mental thing I'm just not sure of the science behind it.

Running on a treadmill does change your gait slightly, but it didn't stop me from dropping :15/mile doing all but my long runs all on the 'mill this winter.  Personally I'll take the risks of running on a treadmill over the risk of developing ITBS from running a bajillion laps around a 1/12th mile track.

2013-03-08 12:20 PM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track

The treadmill is likely a softer surface than most indoor tracks at gyms (which are often on concrete) and a WHOLE lot less boring.  

2013-03-08 12:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track

Pick a treadmill behind someone with a nice bottom.

If TV is too boring you got something else to keep your mind busy

2013-03-08 12:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
I prefer the treadmill over 12 laps to the mile. I don't have to dodge people, I can change elevation, and I don't have to count laps. Plus the track is one-way and I can't imagine how my body would react after an hour running circles in the same direction.


2013-03-08 2:38 PM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
If not already mentioned the treadmill can simulate hills. I like the TM for interval work. Run 1/4's or 1/2's with active recovery.
2013-03-08 5:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
I've ran on an indoor track 1/11 mile and it was painful. I don't care for the treadmill all that much either and only run on it once a week for a specific purpose since I don't have a track close to work. I prefer either outdoor track, open road or trails which I like the best but that requires me to travel to get to trails and time is of essence with my training.
2013-03-08 8:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track

harris.margaret9 - 2013-03-08 8:05 AM To be honest, unless I plan on running a very long distance, I'll stick to the track surface. Always have felt that my legs get a better workout. Instead of lightly stepping on a moving rubber mat, I think my legs get a better workout on a hard, grounded surface. Thoughts on that? It could totally be a mental thing I'm just not sure of the science behind it.

I'll usually do a 1.0 grade if just running, or just make a hill workout, makes up for the lack of change in elevation.  Cant do much for wind, unless you own a really big fan!!

Also, the treadmill, while boring, provides a better surface to run on.  It is less jarring.  You should still get an outside run in at least once a week though.  Treadmill, nor indoor track can give the same feel as the road, and not many treadmills have a "downhill" grade option, and even if they do it is usually 3% tops.

2013-03-09 8:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
Treadmill if the track is smaller than 200 metres...(1/8 mile)
2013-03-09 12:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
Our indoor track is soft (not concrete), I'll gladly run on that vs. the treadmill, even though it's painfully short (13.1 laps per mile), and I run on it all the time. With ours the direction changes every other day, I try to avoid always running the same direction (so I won't run on it Mon, Wed, Fri, but instead Mon, Tues, Thurs). These are also usually shorter (hour or less), but have done up to 14 miles on it. I'm also short, so the turns are easier for me.

The treadmill might not save you from IT/hip issues. I have a good friend that is a consistent runner. She runs almost exclusively on the treadmill w/some long runs outside, I run as much as her on the indoor track & then also some outside. I've never had IT/hip issues, but she is sidelined every 3 months or so with them.


2013-03-09 1:36 PM
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2013-03-09 2:55 PM
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Subject: RE: Treadmill vs Indoor Track
tkos - 2013-03-09 12:36 PM

Indoor track. I want the sensation of actually moving. The treadmill changes my running style too much and I end up with odd nagging tightness in my calves. Our indoor track is a 1/4 km long and has a soft rubber surface.

I change direction every 10 minutes or so and have been able to run even long runs of an hour 20 minutes on it.  every treadmill I have ever come across has a 20 minute time limit on it. I don't have top worry about that with the track.

+1. The 6-lane 200m track that I have access to has different directions for different lanes, even different speeds. Some lanes are for slow walking and are used by seniors who don't want to risk slipping and falling on ice outside, so there are always lots of people in the place. It isn't banked, so although it's a good idea to change direction, it isn't an absolute necessity.

The lighting is a bit creepy though. On one banking you have three shadows... if you've ever seen the Dr. Who episode "Silence In The Library", it can be disconcerting. Surprised

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