Treadmills

filofax · 908200. Thu May 10, 2012 4:52 am

Does anybody know how close an approximation running on a treadmill is to real running on a track?

I have been running on the treadmill for a while, my objective being to reach 10k. So far, my personal best is 8.5, which I am quite proud of, but I wonder whether this is something pathetic in real life.

Tom · 908203. Thu May 10, 2012 5:06 am

In my experience treadmills cannot measure to real life, if not just because it is impossible to keep a comfortable pace.

Sadurian Mike · 908212. Thu May 10, 2012 5:35 am

I've put "treadmill", "running" and "track" into Google translate, but I still have no idea of what you speak.

suze · 908338. Thu May 10, 2012 11:42 am

sally carr · 908344. Thu May 10, 2012 12:04 pm

My dear old Dad bought a treadmill- used it twice then hung his trousers on it

masterfroggy · 908350. Thu May 10, 2012 12:15 pm

Having run several time half marathon distances on both tarmac and treadmill, I’ll say in my experience running in the real world is 20% - 25% harder (involving more effort) than running in a treadmill. Treadmill running is mostly the effort of lifting each leg in turn as the ground is pulled under your foot/feet. Running involves lifting each leg in turn and pulling your body forward by applying effort to drive your body towards and over the forward most foot. You also have wind weather and unevenness of the surface to cope with. Treadmill running is harder on the body from one regard and that is cooling the body, with no wind (normally) the body uses energy and resources to try and prevent overheating, not a problem I’ve experienced running in the great outdoors in the UK.
I love running, but I am no longer able to. (not for any distance anyway)

Jenny · 908355. Thu May 10, 2012 12:27 pm

I have a treadmill but have used it once in the last nine months or so. I can't run on it (dodgy knee won't cope with running) and I can't do the uphill stuff either, but it does let me do a walk in warmth and relative comfort when it's knee deep in snow and ice outside.

Oceans Edge · 908362. Thu May 10, 2012 1:00 pm

I rather liked my treadmill for daily walking when the weather was bad, and it saved having to get all bundled up it was just a bit more convenient for regular exercise. However I started having an issue with one of my metatarsals, and for some reason the treadmill aggravates it more than walking outdoors.

A pair of orthodics have helped relieve the issue, and now with time the joint seems to be healing ... or at least less aggravated. Hopefully once I've finished the flooring in the upper hallway I can try getting back to it slowly.

djgordy · 908366. Thu May 10, 2012 1:27 pm

I tried running on a treadmill and hated it. It is so boring just staring at the same wall all the time.

Oceans Edge · 908369. Thu May 10, 2012 2:00 pm

I have a shelf .. with a little portable DVD player at eye height

Jenny · 908632. Fri May 11, 2012 2:09 pm

I have a little TV at eye height for the same reason. I tried reading while walking but it was too jerky.

cornixt · 910727. Mon May 21, 2012 10:32 am

I've considered getting a treadmill that I could use while watching tv, although I'd expect to need headphones due to the noise. Is it possible to keep your eyes fixed on a tv well enough to read while running on it though?

filofax · 910728. Mon May 21, 2012 10:37 am

I wouldn't think that reading would be possible. I thought of audio books, but they're probably not galvanising enough. It needs to be music to get me going - I have discovered that nearly everything by either The Clash or the Specials can give me a good rhythm.

barbados · 911128. Wed May 23, 2012 4:22 am

One thing about treadmills over road - treadmills run flat and straight, roads tend not to do that, but in answer to the point raised about the distance run - if you can run 5k then you can run 10, all you need to watch is your pace.

I would recommend using an interval option that would simulate the undulations you would encounter on the street.

As for what do you do on the treadmill, I watch people playing tennis, as the gym I use is in the local tennis academy and it overlooks the indoor courts

filofax · 911135. Wed May 23, 2012 4:55 am

I watch hunky young men working out.

Well, more often than not I watch flabby 50 year olds with man breasts sweating all over the place, but as I have no illusions that I present a prettier picture, we are all quite happy.

Thanks for the encouragement - I've got my personal best up to 9k, so hopefully next time I'll make it to 10. (It always seems a shame to me that each time I have to start from scratch)