Running on the dreadmill, better training?

i'm in the midwest and do not like being cold. i run a lot inside this time of year. my gym has a track so i have been choosing that over the treadmill over the past few months. i do hill runs on the treadmill though.

there was an article in the Feb issue of Triathlete magazine... "The truths about treadmills"...talking about what the treadmill does to your stride (ie: it activates the hip flexors and inhibits the hip extendors (glutes), keeping them from firing), for one. interesting points. take a read if you care.

i would be curious to hear people's opinion on that article if you have one. not to hijack the thread...i think that goes along with OPs quetion.

I think it can be depending on how you train outside.  As was stated running is running, but it has to be the same running to be comparable.  If you get on the treadmill and run 6 8 minute miles because you set the treadmill to that pace and hammered it out, great.  If you go outside to do the same thing and run an 8 minute mile, 3 more 8:30 miles 2 more 9:00 miles, realize you have been looking at the birds in the tree and lost track of your pace and then do another 8 minute mile, before tapering off in the last mile until that last 1/4 mile where you double time it in, then I would have to say the treadmill is definitely a better workout.

I use the treadmill for just this reason.  It forces me to get the workout I want, outside I often realize that my pace has slid and I have turned it into more of a nature walk.

I despise the treadmill!!! I'm in the middle of marathon training and so far I've only had to do shorter (8 mile) runs on the treadmill this winter. Part of this is due to the mild winter we've had so far, but I'm also enjoy running outside a heck of a lot more. I did a 15 mile run in 3 degree weather with wind about two weeks ago and would gladly do that over an 8 mile run on the treadmill any day.

I actually feel like a treadmill workout isn't as demanding because of the fact that there isn't a variance in terrain. I know this isn't true for some of the fancier programable treadmills, but is true for the ones at my gym. I also tend to get bad blisters on a treadmill that I don't get outside, and my running cadence is also lower even when I try to pick it up. Outside I'm always in the 88-92 strides per foot each minute. On a treadmill it's closer to 85.

I guess if it's very icy or snowy it's probably better to do a treadmill run, but I hope that I can avoid that for the rest of the winter!

I agree, I see improvement no matter where I run. Learn to use the incline for terrain.

GatorDeb - 2012-01-25 10:25 AM

Left Brain - 2012-01-25 8:00 AM I'm doing about 40% of my running on a treadmill right now....I don't notice any difference at all.  In fact, my only real speedwork is being done exclusively on a treadmill that can go to 29mph and 40% incline (right before you die).  It's helping me build speed much faster than I think I could do it with regular intervals on a track, and it's very controlled as far as rate, incline, HR, temp, etc.....so I know from week to week where I have improved or need more work. 

 You can go 29 MPH????

Hell no....but they put me on that damn thing at 18 mph (actually hold me on there with their hands in the small of my back at some inclines) for short intervals....4-6 seconds...and sometimes you hold the bar and just let your legs get used to working at that speed. You can google "super treadmill" and find video of some of the workouts....it's VERY effective.  I've done the "speed protocol" and now am  doing an 8 week "endurance protocol" where each interval takes you just past LT with someone holding you on the treadmill as your legs basically go to NEAR failure.

BTW...Usaine Bolt runs 29 mph.

Here GatorDeb:

http://www.athleticrepublicie.com/ProprietaryEquipment/super-treadmill.htm

Another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxsn8CZWVbc

For me this is not necessarily the case. When my feet/legs are being forced to move, it changes my stride and gait - as opposed to outside where I do 100% of the initiation/moving. I definitely notice the change, and subsequent aches and pains that I don't get outside.

That being said, I do use the treadmill for hill training as we have none around here.

In the winter months, I do all my runs on the treadmill, except my long run no the weekend, unless the weather is really crappy then I'll be forced to do that on the mill also...hasn't happened so far.  I don't see much difference between the 2.  I especially like doing speedwork & hills on the mill.

The reason I hate running outside in the winter months is the 15 mins extra time it takes me to get dressed for the weather.  For the treadmill, I put on shorts & a tech shirt and I'm good to go.

+1.  Right now my training runs are so short that it takes me longer to dress for the cold than it does to run.  I'm MUCH more likely to do my workout when I can just hop on the treadmill.

I understand about the clothes.  For anything under about 45 mins, I hate to think of the laundry.  

I just don't understand the hatred for treadmills.  Just like the bike trainer, it's a tool.  Use it to support your training.  Doing your run on a treadmill is far better than skipping your planned run.

For me, personally, I do about 50% of my running on the tready.  I don't mind it a bit as long as there is lots of ventilation and a big azzzz fan blowing on me.  Oh, can't forget the music and a towel.