photo credit: soundfromwayout
I have taken my own advice and began running outdoors for a change. So far, I love it. I have run outdoors 3 days in a row. I am more sore in my thighs and legs than I am when running on a treadmill. I believe someone left a comment in my earlier post about using more stabilizer muscles when running outdoors than on the treadmill. I have to agree, because I am feeling pain in muscles I never feel pain in when running at the gym.
If weather permits, safety, etc., I suggest finding a safe place running outdoors. There is nothing like it. I find myself running further than I ever would on a treadmill. I think the atmosphere is so much better. The big benefit about running outdoors that I like is that I come up with so many great ideas for my business. It's crazy! It's like my mind is clear and these ideas just come up!
I know I have quite a ways to go but I would love to be able to run in a 5k sometime in the future. So far, I can run 2 miles and I plan on running 2 miles each day until it starts feeling "easy" for me. If you have been wanting to run outdoors, I can highly recommend it now. Not only is it fun, it is a great way to clear your mind and come up with new ideas.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Agreed, outdoors is far superior and way more interesting than inside on a treadmill. Now if it didn’t rain in this part of the world so often I could enjoy it more.
Not only is it good to shake up your routine, but i dont get as bored as easily when i run outside. Plus, you can’t really give up cause you gotta get home somehow!
Kelly Turner
http://www.groundedfitness.com
@Tom – it’s definitely more interesting running outdoors. A lot more to look at.
@Grounded Fitness – lol, you are right, you have to make it home. I pick up the pace once I know I’m getting closer to home.
Glad you’re liking it Eartha. Outdoors is the way to go. I started on a treadmill at the beginning of the year, overweight. Tried doing it outside one day in the early spring cause of one nice day and I never went back. Dropped 40 pounds, down in my “recommended weight range” within a short time of starting that. I’m lucky because we have a nice public paved trail in through a nature area within walking (er.. running) distance of my office and is perfect for a lunchtime workout. Plenty of parks and trails near my house, and my neighborhood is extremely low traffic (though no sidewalks) and is exactly 1 mile so I know my distances (even though I never go out without my Garmin 305). I also try to hit new neighborhoods from time to time too, just to make it interesting – somewhere I can park at the entrance at a public spot or at a store or something. I absolutely DREAD getting on the treadmill anymore. I’ve been at around 30 miles a week give or take since the summer and frequent local races for the motivation and goals – and training for races is hard to do on a treadmill, training on surfaces similar to what you’ll be running on is the way to go.
Good luck!
Jason
Also, if you want to try something other than just running for fun/general fitness and want to give yourself a whole different way to train and get in shape, try http://www.crossfitendurance.com. It’s more of a hardcore training regime, but one that anyone can do and will get you in serious shape. I’m not affiliated in any way, just have been following their workouts for a few months now (and their headquarters crossfit.com). Just something to try if getting out and running with no targets/goals gets old or you think you’re plateauing and it start getting discouraged.
I like outdoor running for building up my stamina and totally agree with you Eartha – it really does allow your mind to open up, particularly when you do it early in the morning and it’s just you all alone.
However, I find treadmills are still useful for speed work. I can never make myself run as fast outdoors but if I crank the treadmill up I have to run faster.
In combination these two methods can really help improve your overall running technique.
@Jason – congratulations on your weight loss and your success with running outdoors. Crossfit looks awesome. Their workouts look tough!
@Tom – I do like cranking up the speed on the treadmill when I am doing intervals.
I love the term “run with a view”
To be inspired by the sights and people on the way – beats a wall or mirror.
The random terrain, for me, gives a far superior workout to that achievable with the limited incline on treadmills.
It is great to run outdoors in the mornings especially