I trained for my first ever 5k almost entirely on the treadmill. However, I was also playing rugby at the time, so I probably got a fair amount of running fitness from outdoor practices and just didn’t equate practice with running.

After I trashed my ACL (at rugby practice, not running), and post-surgery I have found that my knee HATES the treadmill now. It’s weird, I can go out and do 14 miles without a peep from my knee, but more than 5 miles on a treadmill and my knee is screaming for the rest of the day. Must be something with the belt movement.

Yup, I train exclusively on a treadmill. The only outdoors running I do is for races. I’ve only been seriously running for just under a year now, so I still have issues with pacing. I’ve now completed 2 1/2 marathons (3rd is in September) and countless 5K’s and 10K’s. I generally run @ 9:30 pace on a treadmill and run much faster outside for racing (25 min 5k, 52 min 10k, 2:04 1/2 marathon). It seems to work for me! Plus, I’m just too much of a sissy to run outside 🙂 I like the comforts of being at home!

“you can’t safely ride a road bike on the sidewalk (tires are too tiny)”

Also because riding your bike on the sidewalk (with any kind of tiresl) is much, MUCH less safe than riding in the road since cars are not expecting you there. You are also encountering many more “intersections” every time you pass an alley or a driveway. Mile for mile, you will be safer on the road.

Citations:
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/Library/riskfactors.htm

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/Library/Moritz2.htm

Besides being unsafe, riding your bike on the sidewalk is also illegal in a lot of places. Another great reason not to do it. So don’t do it!

I wish I even remotely liked running on the treadmill, but it just doesn’t happen for me. I hate every second of it and would much rather train outdoors for anything that I do.

How does the bike trainer compare to a spinning bike? Does the bike trainer allow you to climb hills out of the saddle?

I trained indoors for a road race, when I finally got outside it was a RUDE awakening! It was awful. Now I run mostly outside, with exception of bad weather.

I trained for my first 6 half marathons by doing runs only on a treadmill. The only time I would run outside was during a race. I have also trained for 1 duathlon inside, and had no trouble finishing the race. Although I rarely train indoors anymore, I feel like I had a lot of success doing so. I just prefer to get outside now.

Here’s my understanding of treadmill vs. road running:

When you run on a sidewalk, you’re propelling yourself forward. The treadmill, however, is moving ground, so you’re essentially stopping yourself.

Although the benefits/outcomes are very similar, the differences in form (whether intentional or not), and the innate difference in the two movements, use different muscles.

I don’t know how much of that is true, and how much I made up in my head. But it makes sense to me. I know that my legs are sore in different places after I run on a treadmill, even though I may run the same distance at the same pace outdoors.

I trained for a century ride completely on a bike trainer in my living room last year. The century was in the spring after a pretty harsh winter so I couldn’t (ok, more like didn’t want to!) ride in the freezing cold snow. I ended up finishing in just under 6 hours so I guess all those hours on the trainer paid off!

I’ve never trained indoors but it sounds grueling to me! I actually find the treadmill to be more difficult/challenging physically (and mentally) for some odd reason. Surely I’m not the only one?!?

what a wonderful thread..

for almost a year after I got back into running seriously, i only did it on the treadmill. and hard and fast, increasing my speed each time. I ran outside ONCE prior to my first half. I was also doing long runs on the treadmill..10, 15, 20 milers. I loved it. I got to watch tv and keep track of my pace! I also did a 1% incline to mimic outdoors. race came and it SUCKED. I hit a huge wall at mile 7 even though I was going slower then in my training runs on the treadmill. I ended up finishing my first half at a time slower then my training runs. I thought it was bc I started out too fast and it was just a fluke. I mean I could bang out 13 miles like nothing on the treadmill but at the race I was dying! start out slower i told myself… next half i tried to slow down at the beginning, still hit a wall, wanted to die and ended up finishing slower then in my first half.

the next week after that race I decided to start running outside. for the past 2 and a half months I train 2-3 times a week outside and 1-2 times on the treadmill for speed work. I find I am slower outside. my easy pace on the treadmill is just sustainable when i do 7 miles outside. could also be because ive been training in extreme heat the past couple months but I also think running outside is much much harder for me. and im hoping by actually running outside I will PR in my half marathon in the next week.

my point is to me i think there is a huge difference between treadmill running outside and I think solely running on the treadmill really screwed me in my last 2 races. Im keeping my fingers crossed that its easier and better this time around! I can let you know! great blog post btw!

You’ll be fine training for a tri on an indoor trainer – I do 95% of my bike training on my trainer. I can train indoors year round (in the midwest), at any time of day/night, and there’s no slowing down or stopping for traffic, lights, etc, so more like race conditions. I do get out the week before the race to get a feel for clipping in and out, handling, etc.

The best part is it’s the only time I watch TV (hulu) so I look forward to my trainer time! With 4 kids, it’s really the only feasible way for me to get adequate time on the bike.

Safety note: Little fingers are curious and I know of several instances of kids’ fingers getting broken (and worse) by turning the pedal with one hand and getting fingers caught in part of the spinning bike. Kids are not allowed in the room when I’m on the trainer unless they’re in front of me. They also know touching it is off limits at any time. If my kids were younger I’d keep it in a separate room, gate off a room, or keep a playard/superyard gate around it (found mine secondhand).

I think it’s definitely possible but its good to mix it up when you can. I’m training for my first 70.3 and have had to do more indoor training than ever before because I run out of daylight with the longer distances. I do think that a couple of open water swims are important for the reasons you mentioned above!