The thread about gps times got me thinking about my one friend. His supposed 5k PR is from a treadmill. 16:59. Obviously he could pace it perfectly to crack the 17 min barrier. In races, he's never bested 17:10. Does it count?
I'm tempted to think yes because the pacing advantage can't be much different than having rabbited races or drafting others in your goal time. Opinions?
I've known the clocks on the treadmills to be very accurate so I would say it is legit to count a run on a treadmill as your PR.
Treadmiller pr master wrote:
The thread about gps times got me thinking about my one friend. His supposed 5k PR is from a treadmill. 16:59. Obviously he could pace it perfectly to crack the 17 min barrier. In races, he's never bested 17:10. Does it count?
I'm tempted to think yes because the pacing advantage can't be much different than having rabbited races or drafting others in your goal time. Opinions?
Ask him how many miles he actually moved.
16:59 is his 0k PR.
A lot of treadmills aren't calibrated accurately and without the wind resistance, running on a treadmill is physically easier at the same speed. Its like running with a 10 mph wind at your back
Skeptical friend wrote:
A lot of treadmills aren't calibrated accurately and without the wind resistance, running on a treadmill is physically easier at the same speed. Its like running with a 10 mph wind at your back
IF it's perfectly calibrated for both distance and incline and IF the treadmill has a firm platform then yes, it's somewhat easier than running outside. But I think those are big if's.
In my experience most treadmills tend to feel much more difficult than running outside -- under reported distance, more incline, and mushy platform that makes it feel more like running on grass or the beach than a track. Occasionally I'll hit one that's calibrated wrong the other way and feels super easy, but for me that tends to be the exception. (Note: I use a bunch of different ones on a regular basis, because I travel a lot; I'm talking almost entirely about ones you'll find in hotels. Maybe gyms do a better job? I haven't had a membership for many years.)
I think the main point here is that most treadmills are probably even less accurate than the average GPS watch. Any workout on a treadmill should be done by time and perceived effort, unless you know for certain that it has been properly calibrated. A footpod might help too but I've never tried one so I can't speak to that.
I would say no, it doesn't count. Tell him to go run it on the track.
not really wrote:
Skeptical friend wrote:A lot of treadmills aren't calibrated accurately and without the wind resistance, running on a treadmill is physically easier at the same speed. Its like running with a 10 mph wind at your back
IF it's perfectly calibrated for both distance and incline and IF the treadmill has a firm platform then yes, it's somewhat easier than running outside. But I think those are big if's.
In my experience most treadmills tend to feel much more difficult than running outside -- under reported distance, more incline, and mushy platform that makes it feel more like running on grass or the beach than a track. Occasionally I'll hit one that's calibrated wrong the other way and feels super easy, but for me that tends to be the exception. (Note: I use a bunch of different ones on a regular basis, because I travel a lot; I'm talking almost entirely about ones you'll find in hotels. Maybe gyms do a better job? I haven't had a membership for many years.)
I think the main point here is that most treadmills are probably even less accurate than the average GPS watch. Any workout on a treadmill should be done by time and perceived effort, unless you know for certain that it has been properly calibrated. A footpod might help too but I've never tried one so I can't speak to that.
I run on my treadmill often, mostly for intervals. The treadmill makes me mentally feel like I am going way faster than I am, but even though I feel like I'm hauling ass, I can run at those speeds for long periods of time, because it's all mental. Example: 10k pace feels like an all out sprint on a treadmill, but suprise, suprise, I can hold that pace for well over 6 miles.
I'm the guy who started the GPS PR thread. The treadmill is a tough one!
It's a lot more accurate than GPS, and probably even more accurate than a certified road race.
Initially I was inclined to say yes it counts. But the responses in the other thread convinced me that there should be no gray areas in PR's.
So if it's not a race, it doesn't count. Sure, still call it a "treadmill PR" or a "GPS PR", but not a PR on its own.