I just got a rude awakening: I’ve been living a running lie. After patting myself on the back for my steady 10-minute-mile pace (6 mph) over the past few months, Coach Mindy dropped the bomb. I haven’t been working as hard as I thought.
It happened during our second session. Coach Mindy, owner and head coach of private training facility The Running Center, set me up on the treadmill to check my heart rate during a “normal” run.
But this was no run-of-mill treadmill. It was a top-of-the-line Woodway, the Mercedes Benz of treadmills.
With thick slats of rubber on the belt to absorb impact and a motor in the bottom instead of up front (so you’re not constantly kicking a big plastic lump as you run), this baby goes backwards, downhill, and up to 15 mph—a four-minute mile! Luckily, she wanted me to run a lot slower: a few minutes at 5 mph and then at 6.
Something didn’t feel right, though: I was huffing and puffing early on and nearly collapsed in the final lap, a quarter mile at 7 mph. Why was this so hard?
“A normal gym treadmill is not a real-life scenario,” Coach Mindy explained as I chugged water and caught my breath. “They don’t account for wind or road resistance, so it’s always going to be easier—at least physically—to run fast on a moving surface.”
Super. Now I need to use a 1% incline on the gym’s treadmill to account for this discrepancy. With that news I’m stocking up on more winter workout clothes. Long runs through scenic Prospect Park—even in January—are sounding better and better.
Comments (7)
Nothing compares to running outside. And the dreadmill, er I mean treadmill, is unfortunately a foul indicator of progress. Hopefully you’ll be able to brave the elements and head outdoors over the next few months. It’ll make the transition to spring running soooo much easier!! :) I promise!
I’ve tried the treadmill before and got bored to distraction. Running outside is much more entertaining and I think there’s a lot to be said for fresh air. Of course, here in Virginia, winter is more of an idea or abstraction, not like in your neck of the woods. Brrrr! Thanks for stopping by my blog; I’ve learned a lot from yours already. Good writing! I’ll add it to my favorites and links. I have a friend who is running the half at the Shamrock, too, so I’ll be hanging around the finish line. Perhaps I’ll see you then– just 61 days! Keep Running
Hello! Thanks for stopping by my little piece of real estate on the web. I’m glad, I really enjoy your writing and look forward to seeing more of your tales on the trails (or the mill :-)) here!
Are you doing the 1/2 or the full at Shamrock this year?
Thanks for your comments! I’m doing the half-thon in Va Beach, my second attempt but the first one with a real training program. It’s great to have such a strong running community on the web — now readers can click through to your blogs, as well. Good luck to us all!
My gym has televisions on each individual treadmill, which sadly only occupy my mind for 7 or 10 minutes. Then I become stir crazy. I miss shirtless 7-mile summer runs up the East River esplanade. Summer soon?
my treadmill salvation has been listening to book on tape on my iPod. Audible.com has a great selection. Get lost in a book and forget the dreadmill….
I’ve been running on the treadmill for a few weeks now because the weather chased me indoors. I’m so worried about that first run outside (if I ever get back out!) for this very reason! It’s going to be hard!