treadmill vs. outdoors

thanks for your reply. I did notice the treadmill is "easier" and I don't like not feeling the challenge. Though my heart rate rises and I'm able to keep track of distance, calories, incline, and speed; I just don't feel the same intensity. I started running for health. I want to be healthier, wanted to lose a few pounds, and read that running was the "best for the buck" You don't need a lot of equipment and you don't need a lot of acrobatic skills. I now run because I love to run. I like running races to show myself how far I have come. Though races aren't my real goal they certainly are a part of keeping my motivation up. I guess I'll run the treadmill this winter for safety's sake and move back outdoors in the spring when it's not dark so late in the mornings and early in the evenings. Safety is more important to me than ideal.

I am generally an outside runner. I usually run with shoes on, but have done so with out shoes before. When I transitioned to the treadmill...I had this big feeling of monotony like the one expressed above. I was so used to feeling the ground shifting under my feet and the ever changing landscape that I stopped running on the treadmill after 10 minutes. I prefer going outside for the fresh air and for the variety.

I did take off my socks and enjoyed todays walk on the treadmill. Today I did speed walking with hills. It was quite a work out and I was sweating after 30 minutes. One of my feet is tender now though. I'm planning on staying barefoot though. I'm hoping this will continue my foot conditioning as I play with this new machine. I had to move inside as I won't run alone outside in the dark. I have no running partner and I'm alone with 2 little kids during all daylight hours. So the treadmill it is. I find it harder than outdoors. It is definitely different.