One more question for the pros.....

[clam]

I am very new to running (if you read my posts before-I have a Police Dept. physical coming up and need to train my butt off). So here is my question and I am more puzzled than ever......
When I run on the treadmill at the gym my average is a 12 minute mile. Yesterday, I went to the outdoor track (and I was really beat too) and I ran a 9 minute mile. What's so different about the track and the treadmill? Is that even possible?????

Thanks in advance for all the info!!!

[tcoy777]

Yes its possible. You may just run faster outside. The treadmill keeps your pace consistent, where as outside running you can speed up as your body feels like it.

Good job!

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

I've almost always found that running a specific pace on the dreadmill was more difficult than running that pace outside. I'm can't really tell you why. I just take it to mean run outside as much as possible.

[jeans541]

I also consistantly run faster outside than on a treadmill. I don't really know the exact reason. It could be that the treadmill you ran on wasn't calibrated correctly, so the pace or distance reading could have been off. There's also the mental aspect of running in place on a treadmill with little/no air flow. I can't stand it.

When I have to run on a treadmill, I now wear a heart rate monitor and just run for a certain time period at a specific target heart rate and totally ignore the distance and pace.

[Ron_Hendrix]

Try putting the treadmill at a 1.5 to 2.5% incline, that way it at least mimicks some of the drag you feel when you're having to run outside. Just a suggestion...you'll definitely feel a difference though, I promise you that!