Why do many sub elite runners underestimate the treadmill?

I don't own a treadmill or gym pass and I still need to get my run in. So i just wear more clothes when its cold or a buff when its windy.

On a treadmill at any given pace, 3 things are guaranteed:

a) I sweat like a whore in church

b) I feel like I'm running much faster

c) I breathe like I'm running much slower

a+b don't match with c. Something's up.

Not a big fan of the TM, but I do recognize the benefits and I've known quite a few elites who use if for specific purposes. Btw, when people say just put on more clothes when it cold out, they don't realize what its like training in single digit temps or 80+ degrees before the sun comes up. It is boring, I max out at around 45 minutes, but I like the consistent pacing, being able to train in a t-shirt in the middle of winter and control the incline.

I love treadmills for those longer tempos, where my pace needs to be precise. I'm a lower mileage 800 runner that is used to doing more speed, so I tend to be a poor judge of pace at those longer tempo efforts.

ctrl+F treadmill on that article and you'll see Brogan frequently uses the treadmill for workouts... maybe you consider him elite or sub-elite I don't know, but there is a counterexample for you.

I use a treadmill for probably more than half of my mileage including easy runs and workouts like speed intervals and tempo runs and even long runs (I have run 20 miles on a treadmill before). I use a Stryd footpod to increase distance tracking accuracy. It just works out better for me because I commute to work early avoiding the traffic and then run in a gym with a treadmill because the areas surrounding my workplaces are not really safe to run around in. I do outside running on the weekends and when it fits in my schedule during the week. Most of my runner friends either don't run on treadmills or only occasionally run on treadmills. I try to compensate by adding 1-1.5% incline to treadmill but I stlil feel running on treadmills is easier (similar to a track) compared to running on the roads. Despite the treadmill training, I am still progressing and hitting PR's in my races so I feel it works out OK for me. It helps that I don't usually feel bored on the treadmill as I usually have TV, movies, or music to keep me occupied on easy runs and I feel sufficiently stressed on workouts.

Maybe I can ask here: I have reached the max speed of the treadmill I have access to (20 km/h), which I can hit for say 5 x 1200m with 3 minute rest with no incline. The Ingebrigtsens had a problem in Doha that they couldn't find a machine that went faster than 20 km/h, and their solution was to use more incline than normal. Is this a good solution in general? Can one effectively replicate 5 x 1000m, say, at 2:40 min/km or 2:50 min/km pace by running at 3:00 min/km pace but with an appropriate incline? Not in leg turnover obviously, but otherwise?

Running on a treadmill is like eating soylent. It does the job, but it is not satisfactory.

what_to_do wrote:

Maybe I can ask here: I have reached the max speed of the treadmill I have access to (20 km/h), which I can hit for say 5 x 1200m with 3 minute rest with no incline. The Ingebrigtsens had a problem in Doha that they couldn't find a machine that went faster than 20 km/h, and their solution was to use more incline than normal. Is this a good solution in general? Can one effectively replicate 5 x 1000m, say, at 2:40 min/km or 2:50 min/km pace by running at 3:00 min/km pace but with an appropriate incline? Not in leg turnover obviously, but otherwise?

I can't find the article right now, but I recall an article about an elite master's runner who, as she got older, did the majority of her speedwork on the treadmill at a certain incline, as opposed to running the equivalent speed on the track which was harder on her body (40s). It seemed to be pretty effective.

I don't know how accurate this is, but for an idea:

For those of you who do use the treadmill for many of the reasons stated in this thread and care about distance/pace accuracy, I've also found the Stryd footpod to be a very nice accessory. I honestly don't know why Stryd doesn't market it for this purpose. One thing I've discovered is just how inaccurate many treadmill displays are. Probably the most extreme example I've seen was doing a long run on a treadmill that reported 6:40 pace when the Stryd reported about 7:30. I assure you, there was no way I could have held 6:40 pace that comfortably for that distance and my HR was around what it would be at 7:30 pace outside. Had I not known that, I would have probably told people that I did my run at 6:40 pace (I didn't) and running on a treadmill is "easier"...

Anyway, wouldn't another possible benefit to occasional treadmill running be the soft surface? If it's easier on the legs and you can still get your workout in, wouldn't that promote somewhat improved recovery thus allowing the next day's road workout to be that much better?

I see treadmills as a necessary evil. Tool of last resort. Best reserved for 40-below blizzards.

You get a ruthlessly consistent pace and have to really focus on good running form, particularly at tempo speed. Both good and bad, I suppose, but mentally challenging.

https://media.giphy.com/media/YQv9JlFmJ1Sus/giphy.gif

treadmill_incline_____ wrote:

I can't find the article right now, but I recall an article about an elite master's runner who, as she got older, did the majority of her speedwork on the treadmill at a certain incline, as opposed to running the equivalent speed on the track which was harder on her body (40s). It seemed to be pretty effective.

I believe the runner you're talking about is Magdalena Lewy Boulet.

for her treadmill training, Runner's World has a decent description.

go to

search for 'hill circuit'

What does it mean to underestimate the treadmill? I don't use a treadmill because I don't want to pay to access one and would rather run outside no matter the conditions but there is no estimation involved with my decision making on the matter.

I've often preferred the treadmill over training outside. This July I bought one for the house (Landice L7) and set up a TV with a Fire stick and quality headphones. I keep the house cool and run without a shirt and watch my favorite shows or listen to music. I've done multiple 20+ milers including a 28 miler, 90+ mpw of which about 80% is on the machine. I've run 2:28 twice, for whatever that's worth.

Treadmill running actually starts to hurt the inside of my knee after a certain point. Usually around 15k. It is not as good as running outdoors. No fresh air, and no freedom of motion. I feel constricted. Outdoor running always preferred unless the conditions are so bad that it simply doesn't work. I did a lot of treadmill running in the winters when living in the midwest. It is tough to run when there is too much snow or ice.

I've done some training on a treadmill and it does give a pretty good workout. Fine for steady runs or tempos if you have a good treadmill. Intervals, not so much.

The main issue I have with it is it is incredibly boring. The sweat gets pretty rough too.

The only times I'll use it is when I can't run outside due to the weather. Ice or snow on the ground. Incredible heat, or smoke from those good old California fires.

I believe it was Sheri Piers https://www.runnersworld.com/advanced/a20795069/more-to-prove/

I actually prefer treadmill running to outdoors.

treadmill_incline_____ wrote:

I don't know how accurate this is, but for an idea:

https://www.hillrunner.com/calculators/treadmill-pace-conversions/

That is the biggest piece of GARBAGE you could use. It would be better for the running world if that calculator was erased from the world wide web and never seen again.