Beginners and Beyond

Why do so many runners frown upon the TM? (Read 237 times)

Nevrgivup


    Fuzzy-I love mine for tempo and progressive runs. It does get boring at times,but I listen to music to help pass the time. It's the only way to get my miles in sometimes either before or working a 12-15 hour day.

    Running is my mental-Ctrl-Alt-Del. 


    Mostly harmless

      No frowning here. I just don't like it personally, so I'll fight like heck to avoid it. I'm guessing people will talk about lack of wind resistance, the pulling effect of the belt, and lack of terrain variation as negatives. Like you said though, if it's TM or no running, TM is the way to go. Whether we admit it or not, I think the group mentality here also drives people to get out in conditions they otherwise wouldn't. That can be good (read motivating) and bad (read over-training/too much too soon).

       

      As for you, glad you're happy with your TM purchase and getting lots of use out of it. Keep up the good work, and I'm sure you'll be running even more strongly when you have a chance to be outside more.

       

      Also, as for me, I stink on the TM. My easy pace is about 1:15 slower than outside, and that frustrates the heck out of me.

      +1 to this and I'll go a step further and say that I envy folks that can run on the TM and not go crazy.  I have access to one at the fitness center where I work but the weather conditions have to be pretty bad to get me to use it.  My ADHD kicks in almost at once and TM running becomes real torture to me.  Even with an iPod or a TV in front of me I just hate it.  The only time I can make it bearable is if I'm doing an interval or something where I have to play around with the settings a lot.

      "It doesn’t matter how often you do it or how much you accomplish, in general, not running is a lot easier than running." - Meb Keflezighi

      MJ5


      Chief Unicorn Officer

        I hate hate hate them, but if other people use them, it doesn't bother me.  I hate them for the reasons others have already mentioned--lack of air flow, boredom, no change in scenery, etc. (I have to go to the gym to use one, since I don't own one, so I can't pick what's on the TV or put in a movie or adjust the angle at which I can view it).  It feels so much harder to me.  I keep my Garmin on instant pace, and I am always changing--my runs fluctuate by 30 seconds per mile sometimes--so I also think that being forced into one constant pace is extremely uncomfortable for me.  Just not my thing.

        Mile 5:49 - 5K 19:58 - 10K 43:06 - HM 1:36:54

        flarunner


          I used to have a treadmill, but no longer. I used it for speedwork: repeats and hill repeats. I also put a cheap mirror in front of me (or had it in front of a window) to see myself and check my form while running. Never paid attention to the stuff going on on the console. I'd put it at the correct MPH for my minute/mile pace and pay attention to the elapsed time on my watch. And I would listen to music. I always got the sense that it was helping me mentally as well as physically. I wish I had one now for during the summer.


          delicate flower

            It doesn't really bother me at all what others think.  If someone wants to make snide comments about treadmill use, I've got no use for those people.  I log about 25% of my miles on the treadmill.  So, last year it was 600 or so on the treadmill, and 1700 or so outdoors.  It just works for me.  Based on where I land in race results, I'm going to keep doing what works.

             

            I understand how people find it boring.  There are times that it's a real mental struggle.  Generally speaking though, I have no problem banging out a 12 miler on one, and my increase in speed during November and December was a direct result of my treadmill speedwork..

            <3

            BruceD555


              OK, so your topic hits me at just the right moment ... I literally just finished a LT workout (ended up doing 10 with 6@HMP) on the treadmill at work and my personal take is

               

              Treadmill = necessary evil

               

              If it had only been -5 windchill this morning instead of -25, I'd have done my run outside. I enjoy the outdoors and the variety those runs bring. The treadmill just feels too "sanitary" to me. With that said, I cast  no dispersions on someone who regularly runs on a treadmill. Kudos on being able to do it and if it helps you get in more miles and training then AWESOME - keep it up.

              Train smart ... race smarter.

              Nakedbabytoes


              levitation specialist

                I admire people that have one and can do it. I find them incredibly boring but then, I bore easily in the same routine and surroundings. I can't even run the same route often outside, because I will stop doing something that isn't visually stimulating. Some people like routine, but to me routine means death and dread. Who wants that?!

                I wish I wasn't this way, I would love to have one. It would be safer than the icy trails and warmer than the sub zero temps and I could do it when my kids are awake! Because mommy is HERE! Yay!

                I have never felt like TM running isn't "real running" though and never think less of people who do it. I actually think it takes another level of dedication that I do not possess. My hat is off to you, OP!

                Awood_Runner


                Smaller By The Day

                  I just remembered that there are some TM people that I do frown upon.  The people I see at the gym that grab the hand rails, lock their arms, and let their legs flail like a marionette.  There are also those people that jump it up to a full sprint for 30 seconds, and then decide that an elliptical is more their speed.

                  Improvements

                  Weight 100 pounds lost

                  5K 31:02 Sept. 2012 / 23:36 Sept. 2013 (Same Course)

                  10K 48:59 April 2013

                  HM 2:03:56 Nov. 2012 / 1:46:50 March 2013

                  MARATHON 3:57:33 Nov. 2013


                  delicate flower

                    I just remembered that there are some TM people that I do frown upon.  The people I see at the gym that grab the hand rails, lock their arms, and let their legs flail like a marionette.  There are also those people that jump it up to a full sprint for 30 seconds, and then decide that an elliptical is more their speed.

                     

                    And the folks that have the thing cranked up to 9 MPH, run for 30 seconds, jump off and straddle the belt while it still churns away, then hop back on the spinning belt and repeat the process.  THEY BETTER NOT BE LOGGING ALL THAT IN THE MILEAGE CONTESTS!

                    <3

                    MadisonMandy


                    Refurbished Hip

                      Since I have been injured for the past 3 months now, I have come to realize that a lot my running has to do with the fact that I just love being outside.  I am happiest when I am outdoors.

                       

                      I am not a TM runner.  Never done it, never will.  I don't care if others do.  If I know you well enough, I'll probably rib you about it (especially if you're a trail runner), but I don't actually look down on anyone that does it.

                      Running is dumb.

                        I think the TM is a valuable tool in the runner's toolbox.

                        Take Charge. Train Harder. Suck Less. No Excuses.


                        sugnim

                          And the folks that have the thing cranked up to 9 MPH, run for 30 seconds, jump off and straddle the belt while it still churns away, then hop back on the spinning belt and repeat the process.  

                           

                          That sounds like a hilarious youtube video in the making.  Clown

                          notimeforthat


                            One of the local ladies here that runs a 1:30 half on a bad day trains on her TM all the time. We are neighbors and we had a good laugh at people who think it is some running faux paux to run indoors.

                             

                            You can do intervals at a consistent speed and pay attention to form, I find easier, on a treadmill. You can also save yourself from camber related injuries and other issues that come along with road running all the time.

                             

                            I don't see the big deal really.

                            notimeforthat


                               

                              That sounds like a hilarious youtube video in the making.  Clown

                               

                              Or speed intervals with recovery. Just because you don't understand someone's training doesn't mean you mock it because it doesn't make sense to you....

                              flarunner


                                Oh, I forgot to mention. A guy named Dopplebock on these forums ran over 6,000 miles last year. He would run 30 mile runs on his treadmill.

                                Go log stalk him, it's amazing.