# Why can I run further on the road than a treadmill? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 20, 2016, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426 "2016-09-20T09:55:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/1 "2016-09-20T09:55:17Z")
So, at my gym, I set the treadmill to 12km/h which is one of the higher standard settings. I have to take quite big strides to run at this speed and after about 10 minutes I’m pretty tired and have to slow down or stop. Then, normal running outside: there are a few paths near where I live where there are distance markings, as they are popular running routes. To run, say, 8km in 40 minutes on such a route is a pretty slow pace for me. It’s the kind of speed I do on a bad day, and I’m basically just skipping along. Which of course doesn’t make sense. Is there a reason it’s more comfortable to run outside or is one of these measurements suspect? ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/2 "2016-09-20T10:50:18Z")
One thought I have is that on a treadmill, you have to force yourself to maintain a constant speed. On the road, you can make adjustments for conditions, like wind, curves, terrain, footing, etc. Each adjustment is a sort of a rest, from an otherwise forced pace. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/3 "2016-09-20T11:00:55Z")
For that matter, I find that maintaining an exactly constant speed is in itself tiring. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/4 "2016-09-20T11:21:11Z")
I’m not sure of the answer. My own experience has been the opposite, the cushioning effect of the treadmill and constant speed allows me to settle in to a rhythm and zone out. Running on the road I find my rhythm is disrupted and I’m slower and tire more easily. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@Troy\_McClure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/5 "2016-09-20T12:19:11Z")
I’ve noticed the same thing on stationary bike vs. real bike, and I assume it’s due to the lack of the breeze. If I put a box fan in front of the stationary bike than I can go much longer without overheating. The difference in heat transfer at running speed vs. biking speed is probably pretty large, but still, it’s got to help. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/6 "2016-09-20T12:24:49Z")
Two thoughts: does the cushioning of a treadmill make it harder to run, with each step against a yielding surface requiring more effort? Alternatively, are treadmills simply inaccurate? I used to use a stairmaster, and could do hundreds of flights during a workout. Was a shock one time when our elevators were out and I had to climb 18 flights IRL! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/7 "2016-09-20T12:26:32Z")
When you’re running IRL, you CAN’T stop until you get where you’re going. On a treadmill, your brain is bound to wake up to your surroundings and notice that you’re already there. So it makes you stop. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/8 "2016-09-20T13:33:12Z")
I’ve always found the opposite true for myself. And I think it’s primarily due to psychological effects. On a treadmill I have no real sense of running any great distance, it’s just a number on a display. When actually running all I can think about is how far a distance I’ve run, how much farther I have to go, and how tired that makes me feel. The abstract nature of running on a treadmill removes that. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/9 "2016-09-20T13:38:27Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > So, at my gym, I set the treadmill to 12km/h which is one of the higher standard settings. I have to take quite big strides to run at this speed and after about 10 minutes I’m pretty tired and have to slow down or stop. It’s the change in stride length, you’re messing up your efficiency. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/10 "2016-09-20T13:41:15Z")
Treadmill miles are usually easier. I figure it’s because there is no wind resistance and there is no terrain variation. The regulated speed of the treadmill tends to help as well since on an outdoor run your speed tapers down slowly over time, but on the treadmill you are locked in to a pace. With that said, if a person can run 6 miles on a treadmill, that same person will do just fine running 6 miles on a footpath. They probably will run slower on the footpath. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/11 "2016-09-20T13:45:14Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > Treadmill miles are usually easier. > > **I figure it’s because there is no wind resistance and there is no terrain variation.** The regulated speed of the treadmill tends to help as well since on an outdoor run your speed tapers down slowly over time, but on the treadmill you are locked in to a pace. > > With that said, if a person can run 6 miles on a treadmill, that same person will do just fine running 6 miles on a footpath. They probably will run slower on the footpath. Set the incline to 1% to compensate. Besides hating indoor machines, the pace always felt far faster on the mill though my heart rate was correct. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/12 "2016-09-20T13:45:26Z")
I’ve noticed the same thing in a “treadmill” pool. It’s a little more tiring to swim the same amount of time at the same speed than it is in a real pool. Like others here, I’ve assumed it’s the forced pace with no variability that does it. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/13 "2016-09-20T14:53:46Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Set the incline to 1% to compensate. I used to do that, and it worked fine. These days, between the great outdoors and the running track at the Y, I rarely run on a treadmill. If for some reason I have to run on a treadmill, I skip the incline adjustment as a special treat to help offset the tedium of the run. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/14 "2016-09-20T15:06:38Z")
Ought to add - I’m not sure I can remember running on a treadmill more than once or twice. Always outside - never too hot or too cold! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/15 "2016-09-20T15:52:15Z")
WAG: a treadmill does not provide airflow for cooling your body. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/16 "2016-09-20T16:05:05Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Which of course doesn’t make sense. Is there a reason it’s more comfortable to run outside or is one of these measurements suspect? I would question one or both of your measurements. As other have noted, running on a treadmill with no incline is almost universally considered easier than running outdoors for the same pace. ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Medlo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hi\_Medlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Medlo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/17 "2016-09-20T16:29:23Z")
Just about every runner I know calls the treadmill the ‘dreadmill’ The mind-crushing boredom does it for me, the miles just drag. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/18 "2016-09-20T17:14:30Z")
> [@Hi\_Medlo](#): > > Just about every runner I know calls the treadmill the ‘dreadmill’ > The mind-crushing boredom does it for me, the miles just drag. - 1. It’s more interesting outside. ---
**Author:** ![mtomm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@mtomm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtomm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/19 "2016-09-20T17:52:48Z")
> [@Hi\_Medlo](#): > > Just about every runner I know calls the treadmill the ‘dreadmill’ > The mind-crushing boredom does it for me, the miles just drag. That’s why I call it a dreadmill. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426/20 "2016-09-20T18:13:06Z")
I think **running coach** figured it out way up thread - you’re overstriding on the treadmill, which is a killer. When you’re outside, you are probably taking shorter strides at a faster rate, which is the way it is supposed to be done. Like others, I have the opposite experience, running outside is way harder than on the dreadmill, but overstriding would explain your issue. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-run-further-on-the-road-than-a-treadmill/766426.md?page=2)