Are Treadmill miles, still relevant miles?

I do ~75% of my mileage on treadmills with a 1% incline, and count it all as "normal" miles with no remorse. BUT after a week or so of just treadmill running, my legs have to "relearn" how to efficiently run on the streets (my stride will be unusually choppy for the first 5 miles or so). So I don't think the mill is a perfect simulator by any means.

I just spent the last two weeks on a treadmill (6-8 miles per day for 13 of 14 days).

Went out for a real run on the roads and just sucked it up, felt really weird, and I ran slower than I've ran in months. I couldn't understand it, I was starting to feel so strong on the treadmill. I chalked it up to running on the treadmill, made me wonder if my miles were real. The lack of wind had a huge impact on perceived effort (and sweating vs 20 degree temps with snowy roads).

My experience exactly (except I actually prefer winter running to sweating in an overheated gym). It seems like I'm overstriding/heelstriking a lot more. My theory is you lose your instinct to maintain your pace because the treadmill is setting it for you.

I ran a 2:18 marathon after a month of nothing but running on a treadmill at a very steep incline to avoid aggravating an injury. (I probably also did a fair amount of deep-water running, which was my other main training alternative during periods of injury.) Running a marathon on a hard asphalt road after a month of low-impact training was tough on my connective tissue, but the treadmill running kept me in fine metabolic condition, and running all those treadmill miles on a steep incline helped me to run the race largely on my forefoot with greatly reduced heel strike.

During my peak years, treadmill running was a big part of my training. My treadmill sessions were generally very intense, with a lot of running at a steep incline (perhaps 15-20% grade) or a quick pace (sub-5 miles).

I've had a very different experience. I used to use the treadmill often, and found running on the roads to feel much easier than I would have expected after prolonged treadmill use. It might just take a day or two back on the roads to get used to it. (Alterately, if it is wayyyy hotter / colder outside than it was on the treadmill, that could play a role.) I think the treadmill can be a really useful training tool.

Treadmill running has a much lower impact than running on the asphalt and unlike trail running you don't have to worry about the terrain. Because of this I think that when people run on treadmills they change their form because they don't think about it. That is what I think the posters on here who are complaining about treadmills experienced.

If I maintain the same form on a treadmill that I would outside and put it at a 2% incline for hills and wind I don't see why it wouldn't count. One might think of it as running on a track when there is no wind, you would still count this as mileage. You are applying the same force to the belt that you would to the road it is just easier on your legs.

That being said, I don't want my legs to develop to run well on a treadmill surface I want them to be able to run well on a road or grassy surface so while I will supplement with treadmill running, it wouldn't be smart to use the treadmill for a majority of one's mileage.

does anyone else carry their arms higher on a treadmill? I always think i'm going to his the front handle with my hands when I have them low

I hold my arms slightly different. I don't know if this matters.

I like the availability of a treadmill for several reasons

1) weather extremes 2)convenience 3)to make me limit my pace, particularly when returning from injury. and conversely 4) to set paces for intervals

I'd gladly run outside otherwise.

In my copy of "Better Training For Distance Runners" by Peter Coe, it claims that there is virtually no difference in treadmill running and running outside. The lack of wind resistance doesn't become a factor until very high speeds (think sub 5 minute/mile pace).

Ive been coming back from an Achilles injury and am doing most miles on the mill. Finally went for a long hilly run with my old running partner and felt out of shape. My weekly mileage says I should be more fit than I am. Good tool but not the same.

During this time of year, I do all my weekday running on a treadmill. That includes intervals, hill workouts, tempo runs and my easy runs, all a a 3% incline. The benefits as I see them are that 1) I can control my pace for the intervals and tempo runs, insuring I maintain the planned pace, 2) on easy days, I do run easy and 3) I don't have to risk my life in the early morning dark.

On weekends, when I can sleep in a little longer I will run outside. This seems to give a good balance and I never notice any problems with the runs outside.

Just don't heel strike and you'll be fine. Heel Striking on the treadmill messes you up

They all count but you will still be a jerk on a treadmill

I see you guys are putting it at 2% or 3% incline, I thought 1% made it equivalent to the pace outside.

But remember, a treadmill is different in one aspect: It brings your foot back behind your body after you plant it, whereas on the ground you have to bring your body past your foot after you plant it.

treadmills suck wrote:

But remember, a treadmill is different in one aspect: It brings your foot back behind your body after you plant it, whereas on the ground you have to bring your body past your foot after you plant it.

this is false

I feel more efficient after running on a treadmill. I focus on my form and race really well after using treadmills.

The first time I broke 15 I had done nothing but treadmill work for the month prior, including workouts.

Probably not exactly 100 percent the same, but you can still get a good workout, your heart rate up and all so they definitely count. If you want, just go a tad bit faster or set it on incline.

maybe, you should wrote:

I feel more efficient after running on a treadmill. I focus on my form and race really well after using treadmills.

Agreed. Daniels is the author of studies showing 1.5% incline most closely mimics road running as far as perceived effort and HR/VO2 use goes. But nothing beats the treadmill for locking in the crisp click of a clean stride. i've done some fairly long workouts (18 miles at MP) and raced really well afterward. I've done mile workouts, and even half mile workouts and just found an ability to really relax, concentrate on form and do the work.