It's quiet humorous that I ran outside this entire winter, through snowstorms and freezing temps, yet Monday when the temps where in the 30s I found myself doing repeats on the mill. Why, you ask? Because the bikepath where I normally run was still covered in ice and snow.
I had 12 miles or so, with 2 easy, 5x2K @ 10k pace with 3 min easy in between, 2 easy. Except that in my haze I thought I had to do 6X2k, which is what I did. I know you are supposed to put the resistance up to 1, but after doing one repeat at 1% incline and almost falling off the thing, I stuck with .5% which felt manageable. The first couple repeats where the hardest, because all I could think about was "hell, I have X many left?". Plus, I could not find my stride. For me, treadmill running is v different than road running. My stride remains very short even when I run fast, and my knees are much higher than when I run on the road. I got into a groove after the first 3 repeats, it's like my body finally realized how to run on the treadmill. Interestingly, my HR is much lower on the mill versus the road. I also don't get the nausea that I get when I run outside, which makes me think that I run harder when outside. This may have something to do with the incline, and perhaps had I set it @ 1% things would have been different. I ran the last repeat starting @ 6:22 and ending @ 6"07 just for kicks and to show the mill who is the boss! Not a bad workouts!
It was interesting to be in a gym again. I don't remember when was the last time I was there. People were looking at me like I was nuts, as I was dripping sweat all over the treadmill (it felt like summer time as my shorts and shirt where drenched after the first couple repeats, and I drank 2X24 ounces of liquid).
My verdict is that I could probably get used to running on the treadmill. It is really not that bad. It works great for repeats because you are locked in a pace and forced to keep going. I am still in owe of those of you who can run marathons on the treadmill, though. That's a talent I do not posses.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
18 comments:
Running on the treadmill is a totally different experience than running outside for me too. For some reason, I don't run as fast on a TM as I do outside and it changes my stride, which is no fun!
i like it for intervals b/c your pace is a given
Not a fan of the 'mill. My running is very uneven, with subtle speed changes and my stride changes lengths and everything. I always worry about falling off the stupid thing. Who knows what the people at the gym were thinking. I'll bet they were impressed though.
I guess if I REALLY had to run on a TM, I'd do it. I just LOVE being outside too much. I love the unpredictable things that I see and hear and smell. Well, maybe not smell, unless they're the ocean or flowers, etc. ANYWAY, I would rather run on the TM than water run, that's for sure...
it sounds like you had a strong workout on the TM, great job!
Wow, sub 5k pace for the sixth 2k repeat?!? You are in a great shape! And it is only February.
I'm surpising myself each time I'm on it. Can't say I want to run my 20 milers on it.. I sure hope not! Last winter I ran 0 on the treadmill but this year the weather has not been good. Cold is one thing, but wind and cold with -temps.. forget it!
I used to be totally against the treadmill years ago-- but you know what? I don't mind it now. Of course I would rather go outside, but with 50" of snow here in Chicago (well, maybe 40" left on the ground) and negative temps..I just can barely do any quality outside - so I don't ever run easy/long on it - but my quality is done on the treadmill more frequently now - SO glad you enjoyed it..it does take some getting used to though - agreed!
Great workout! I almost think the TM is easier than the road. The big thing for me is that with a TM you can put it at the speed you want and then hold on so it is doing some of the work for you really...well, the mental work of trying to keep pace outside and push yourself is easier on the TM for me. Running outside involves me pushing myself a lot harder so good for you for doing it mostly outside and off the TM!
I hate the 'mill. That said, 12 miles on it? I bow before you. When I did my indoor tri last monthi had a hell of a time getting my HR up, which was very interesting.
I had a TNT coach who used to say you need to raise it to 1% for it to be close to outdoor running.
I do all my cycling at the gym though and always leave soaked to the bone with sweat; it's ugly, even for the gym.
i run an interval workout on the treadmill almost every week. Its great for a soft surface, and you get the confidence boost of running fast with less effort than outside...
i also head there when i am tired, because you can set it and forget it and just suck up the pace!
keep it up- those are some fast paces you are running!
Yes, repeats work quite well on the treadmill! When I was getting ready for the 5K in November, I did 3 - 5 minute repeats at 6:00 pace. I have so much more trouble keeping that pace on the track. I think I often run the first 400 meters faster than I should and then have trouble maintaining my pace. With the treadmill, you can force yourself to keep the same pace and you don't even have to think about it.
I also find that treadmill running is very different from road running. My stride is a lot shorter on the mill too. As a result, I almost always run faster on the road than I do on the mill, but I think running on the treadmill has really helped my overall running form and kept my injuries to a minimum.
blech, i have always hated the treadmills but jen is making me hit it hard this winter. with this weather i would rather get my intervals done on the TM than deal with ice!
Nice workout:) I'd say you showed the mill who was boss!
I am not a treadmill superfan but I do think it has served a purpose for me. I use it quite a bit for speed in the winter and I like the idea that I'm locked into the pace I set. I set the incline to 1% but I still think I can run short repeats faster on the TM than outside. Pretty sure my HR is lower as well.
The opposite is true for long or easy runs. I find easy paces much more difficult on the TM.
My stride is different too-shorter. I think mixing up the two and running between the road and the mill has helped me adapt better to that.
One thing is certain, I sweat like a pig outside OR on the mill! Just disgusting. I've actually had to hop off at the gym and change shorts if I'm running a 20 miler. They are supersaturated!
#6-2K repeat mill or outside at 6:15 average-WICKED FAST!
so hard to do repeats on the mill! i always feel like i'm going to be thrown off the back, but it is nice to know you're running the right pace without having to glance at garmin the whole time.
as for the other gym folk - they're looking at you weird cause they're not used to seeing people actually workout. at my old gym it seemed like people were just there to walk around and flirt anyway.
I actually run more on the treadmill as winter comes to close just because the sidewalks start becoming flooded out and slushy. It's easier when it is packed snow!
Great job. I like the treadmill for intervals, but that's about it. :)
I saw your comment on Beth's giveaway for Boston and I totally laughed to myself because you don't seem the type to do Boston for fun...you're such a bad A, I'm sure you'd probably end up qualifying for Boston at Boston as your "fun". :) Ha!
I love it how you showed the mill who's boss!!! I too used to enjoy treadmill running. I would only do it every now and then though, nothing beats the fresh air and scenery that comes with the outdoors!
Post a Comment