Runners/Joggers Question

Well i'm almost at my surgiversary date . I have been working out since week 1. I started off walking and increased distance then graduated to elliptical which i fell in love with and was able to do 5-6 miles. The elliptical consumed most of my workouts for about 8 months. I would also walk outside 5-6 miles and with the hills in georgia that's a good workout.

I have also been intimidated by the treadmill ( i have no idea cause people are usually intimidated by the elliptical). Well i concurred my fair about 2 months ago and have been jogging on the elliptical 5 miles then 7 miles and even made a goal of 10 miles and completed it, YAAAYYYYYYYYY ME!  I did 7 miles yesterday with the treadmill set on 10 with low resistence, i completed that in 51 minutes. My questions are:

Is there a big difference in jogging on the treadmill and jogging outside?
Is starting jogging on the treadmill a good way to prepare myself for outside jogging (i think im intimidated by the heat)?

Thanks for your help.

Here's my 2 cents

There's a HUGE difference between jogging on the elliptical and jogging outside
There's a bit if a difference between jogging on the treadmill and jogging outside.

On the jogging alone - it's 2 things.

1. you don't have the belt moving beneath you. With running on the treadmill you're just pushing off on the run part and not really propelling yourself forward. With the ground - there's nothing to propel so it's a little harder
2. it's about micro movements - the treadmill is a steady even surface, outside you don't know what you're going to get so your whole body does micro movements to keep yourself balanced. Again, a little harder.

Bottom line - if it's crazy hot outside run on the treadmill. There's NOTHING innately wrong with it. it's a good workout. the spring on the treadmill (rather than pavement) is also better for your joints. However, there are lots of benefits (including a better workout) if you run outside.

Are you training for a race or something like that? If so, get outside as much as you can to prepare yourself. Otherwise, it's about doing what you love.

Thank you so much, i have a better outlook on it now. I'm not training for a race just the fact that im able to jog is amazing. I think i love to last longer than all the smaller people beside me lol. I do want to someday do a marathon. I have a huge park near that i love there trail but they also have a track. I think i will tackle the track first with no hills and see how i do, Thanks alot.

Congrats on surviving 10 miles on any machine!  I get so bored!!!!

The above poster is right.  The treadmill is a great workout, and easier on your joints.  Running outside is a better work out due to uneven pavement, hills, traffic, air quality, etc.  I started running on the treadmill last summer and moved outside on cooler days.  I really enjoy the change in scenary, the mental stimulation of working around curbs, streets, cars - the miles just wiz by.

If you plan on entering a race, I would definitely make some of your running outside to get used to the conditions, but if you are just doing it for exercise, by all means, use whatever makes you happy!

Thanks so much, i'm going to try somethings so i can condition my body to the elements and stop being intimated about the change.

Just try a short run on a cooler weather day, and build from there.  You'll do fine!

There's one way to find out, go run outside....

And FYI, IF you finished 7 miles in 51 minutes, that is 7:30 minute miles, which is a far cry from a "Jog"... Thats pretty fast. Get out there and run outside... You might like it.

Thanks alot and it's no IF, i DID. My 10 mile stats are recorded on my page IF you would like to see.

Wow, no need to be fiesty,,, just saw my reply and caps must have stuck... I was paying ou a compliment but it's all good....

Lol, i wasnt being fiesty, ok maybe a little lol. Thanks for the compliment and you have done wonderful in your jounery, i went to your page. Yes, it's all good, thanks for your knowledge friend; it's really appreciated.