[rEdShawks]

So i run on a regular basis (4-5 times a week) and do somewhere between 15-25 miles a week , nothing big usually under 6 miles a run. Now i have done some reading on running, and treadmills have gotten a split review by most authors.

some say its fine, but its a little easier because it pulls u (which is 100% true) but u can cancel that out by making the incline 1

others dont use treadmills or recomend them, except in severe weather conditions.

now i was wondering, what would the problem be if i run 3 times a week on a treamill and then the other 2 days a week i run outside. I therefore dont get only acustomed to something pulling me while running, and am comftorble running outside. So will that be bad for me, how will that effect my running? what are the problems with treadmills?

[rEdShawks]

2 more things
1. I am aasking this because i am going to a foreign country to study abroad for a year, and will have a treamill where i am staying, and am not sure how safe running outside will be
2.I sometimes race (not real competitive) but do,and would not want this to hinder my racing time too much

[jay_99z]

I have used a treadmill in the past and it's a great alternative to running outside. I never really noticed much difference between the treadmill and outside. Except......that treadmill running can get really boring. I have felt the start of shin splints on some of the cheaper ones. So...go with a good treadmill.

I don't think it will hurt your racing time. It may even help since it is really good for working on your pace. In fact...I have used them for that purpose prior to a race.

If you can get past the boredom it can be a really good tool. If the winters weren't so mild down here (SC) I'd probably have one in the house.

[rEdShawks]

Originally Posted by jay_99z

I have used a treadmill in the past and it's a great alternative to running outside. I never really noticed much difference between the treadmill and outside. Except......that treadmill running can get really boring. I have felt the start of shin splints on some of the cheaper ones. So...go with a good treadmill.

I don't think it will hurt your racing time. It may even help since it is really good for working on your pace. In fact...I have used them for that purpose prior to a race.

If you can get past the boredom it can be a really good tool. If the winters weren't so mild down here (SC) I'd probably have one in the house.

they less boring then normal run for me, cause i have a tv there with me... by the way shin splints on treadmill, i thought a treamill was a good running surface

[BayAreaGuy]

I prefer treadmills because it's more convinient and you don't have to worry about the wind cooling you down and can sweat more.


And yeah, when you increase the incline you definetly feel the difference right away in your legs and your cardio. I keep it on 2.5 and then increase it to 3 sometimes as I go.

what would the problem be if i run 3 times a week on a treamill and then the other 2 days a week i run outside.

No problem, running is running.

[hitmanrva1]

running on a treadmill is way more boring than on the street

[Cap'n]

If you have to use a treadmill, use it. It's far better than not running. Put the incline up a tad and away you go.

But of course, if you can: RUN ON GRASS

[jay_99z]

Originally Posted by rEdShawks

i thought a treamill was a good running surface

If it's a good treadmill. There is a difference. Next time you go to a sporting goods store take a minute to try out the different models. Even without running on them you can feel it. Most of the places I've been will let you try them out though.

I used them a lot more back when I wrestled to make weight. I ran on some good ones at the gyms and some pretty crappy ones in the hotels. You may spend a little more but it's worth it in the long run.

[rEdShawks]

"but it's worth it in the long run." no pun intended

[jay_99z]

Originally Posted by rEdShawks

"but it's worth it in the long run." no pun intended

Lol! I thought about that after I typed it.