It’s a common issue that many individuals can run comfortably on a treadmill but struggle when running outside.
In this article, we will explore 7 reasons why you may be able to run on a treadmill but not outside and provide tips and strategies for improving your outdoor running abilities.
1. Terrain and Surface
Running on a treadmill provides a flat and consistent surface, whereas outdoor running involves varying terrain and surfaces, such as hills, uneven pavement, and grass.
To improve your outdoor running abilities, try treadmill running on all the options that the machine is providing, and not just the flat surface of the treadmill.
2. Treadmill Pushes You To Achieve Targets
Being competitive is in the human nature. When you run on a treadmill all the statistics are right in front of your eyes.
Stats like distance covered, speed of running, time on machine, calories burned, and many other things are right there on the screen.
They are a kind of motivation for you to achieve a certain target, and as a result you end up running more on a treadmill compared to running outside.
Take help of a fitness watch to make your outdoor running competitive.
3. Wind Resistance
Running outside means you have to deal with wind resistance, which can make it more challenging to maintain your pace and breathing.
To overcome this, try running into the wind on your way out and with the wind on your way back. This will help you build up your endurance and adjust to the wind resistance.
4. Temperature and Humidity
The temperature and humidity outside can also affect your running performance.
Running on a treadmill in a controlled environment can make it easier to maintain a consistent pace and body temperature.
To prepare for outdoor running, acclimate your body to the temperature and humidity by running at different times of the day and in different weather conditions.
5. Mental Strength
Running outside can also be more mentally challenging than running on a treadmill.
To help overcome this, focus on your breathing, pacing, and form. You can also distract yourself by listening to music, a podcast, or running with a friend.
6. The Pace On Treadmill Is Constant
On a treadmill, you can maintain a consistent walking or running speed, whereas outside running requires adjusting to a lot of things like stopping to chat with someone, moving aside, changing terrain and other things.
This makes treadmill running easier because your brain is focused on running at a linear pace that is in control of the machine.
You need to create choices for yourself… try running at different paces and heights on a treadmill every few seconds or minutes. This will be a good training for outdoor running.
7. Focus Is Better On A Treadmill
When we run outside somehow the focus is divided. The moment you get a little tired, the brain starts telling you to stop because one of the basic functions of brain is to protect you against anything that it considers unsafe.
On the other hand, when you run on a treadmill, your focus is not divided, and it’s tunnel visioned on achieving the targets of that run. e.g. if you want to run a mile on treadmill, you will definitely run a mile even if you struggle to run a kilometer outside.
To improve your focus outdoors, try pushing yourself even if you are tired… tell yourself tired is good because you’re pushing your body to get to the next level.
Also Read:
Our detailed comparison guide on treadmill vs running outside.
