During this hideous heat wave, I’ve been asked why I prefer to run outside. Often, people want to know if I have access to a treadmill, and why I don’t just move things to the gym. Personally, I save indoor running for times of lightning storms, hurricanes, and compromised safety. Let me tell you why.
Indoor Running Is Boring.
Sorry, not sorry, but running on the treadmill is less interesting than watching grass grow or paint dry. I do have ear buds, but I don’t often listen to music, I hate audiobooks (although I love reading), and I don’t absorb podcasts, movies, or shows really well when I’m on the treadmill. There’s nothing to see than what’s ahead of you. And there are absolutely no dogs to stop and pet. it’s the worst.
Races Aren’t Air-Conditioned
As awesome as that would be, we run our races in the weather conditions presented to us. If I’m training indoors, away from the unpleasantness, I most certainly won’t be acclimated on race day. Since I try to run a race a month, it’s fairly important for me to be used to the outdoor temperatures.
Asphalt Feels Better Than Tread.
Your mileage may vary, pun intended, but for me, the road feels far better than anything else including the treadmill. I prefer to run outside because it’s just easier on my body, including my bionic ankle. The relief is worth the hot temperatures and humidity.
Dogs.
I may have mentioned this earlier, but dogs are the single best thing about running. If I wasn’t outside, I wouldn’t get to pet dogs, and that would be a shame. I have my regulars, and my favorites (spoiler alert: they are all my favorites), but booping snoots and giving booty scratches makes for a great run. I will never give that up.
Do you prefer to run inside or outside? Does the road or the treadmill feel better for your body? Do you stop to pet the dogs when running?
Link Up With Tuesday Topics
This year, I am joining up with Zenaida, of The Running Teacher for Tuesday Topics! Please join us every week for a new topic!
I 100% agree, treadmills are boring and races aren’t air conditioned. About seeing dogs on the trail… On my local trail I actually know far more dogs’ names than their humans’. š
I honestly have to remind myself to say hi to the humans. It’s the dogs I want to see.
Absolutely agree with this! I can’t even remember when I last used the treadmill.
Running outside keeps us connected with nature – as challenging as it may be on some days. I also don’t listen to music or audiobooks – I can’t focus on two things at once!
Btw, that second picture, with the runners on the promenade by the water, was taken in Cape Town!
Really? I love that! Thanks Canva stock images!
Outside! But… I don’t mind running on the treadmill every once in a while. I like doing speed work on a treadmill. But I agree with you- if we did all our runs in the air conditioned gym, we would DIE when we finally decided to run outside. The treadmill is boring, but not as boring as the other cardio machines (the bike is the worst.)
Speed work is probably good on the treadmill, but I don’t do tons of it. OMG I hate the bike. HATE IT. The stair master is ok. Sometimes, they have those video screens so you can pretend that you are climbing somewhere prettier than the gym, and I don’t mind that.
I am right there with you! I never run inside and find it so boring and just not fun. I do like my tread walks before strength though š and indoor cycling
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I like running outside but don’t mind running inside on a treadmill. I’ve watched shows on my iPad and listened to music while running miles on a treadmill. I also prefer running inside when it is too hot or too cold outside.
I wish I was able to focus on tv while running or walking. My brain just takes off.