I came across this article the other day about running preferences and read it with interest because I enjoy running as a means of keeping fit, or at least an approximation thereof.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35399598
The piece portrays an indoors vs outdoors divide when it comes to preferences for exercise. The indoors type typically runs on a treadmill in a gym and the outdoors type prefers the fresh air, changing scenery and the interaction with nature.
From a personal perspective, I find treadmill running extremely dull, it is repetitive, monotonous (just think about the drone of the machine) and it is more expensive too because of the need to pay for gym membership to gain access to the equipment.
You won’t therefore be surprised to know that I am firmly in the outdoors camp when it comes to my running preference. For me, running is more than just a means of getting some exercise and challenging the flab, it is also a way to relieve stress, think/reflect, observe the world around me and have some time out.
It isn’t about looking cool (and believe me I don’t), it isn’t about showing off to other exercise devotees, it isn’t about the narcissistic pleasure of looking at myself in a mirror and it isn’t about listening to MTV (or whatever they pipe into gyms these days).
Don’t get me wrong, as a red blooded male, I’ll get some pleasure from looking at fit, pretty females in Lycra at the gym; but I came to terms long ago with the facts that I am no spring chicken anymore, have negligible “eye candy” appeal and certainly don’t look at my best when all hot and sweaty.
And anyway, there is a risk that if one is distracted by eyeing up the “talent” rather than concentrating on the running, one might fall off the end of the treadmill.
Treadmill running lulls one into a false sense of one’s own skill level. The treadmill will have some form of speed indicator but my experience is that has no relation to the pace you actually run for real. To illustrate, when in running events outdoors, my pace varies between 7.5 and 9 minutes miles depending upon how far I have run and how knackered I am. 7.5 minute miles only occur when I am right up for it and am at my best – the pace doesn’t tend to hold much past a couple of miles at a time. In the gym, I have had a treadmill report to me that my pace is six minute miles…
…and that must be bollocks.
For balance, running outside does have some drawbacks, you often come across dog owners who don’t control their pets properly, you may end up with dog shit on your shoes, fresh air is inevitably mixed with pollutants, some dullards just don’t get out of your way, the weather can be nasty and running in the dark can be a risky business.
But running outside is more rewarding in my opinion, the articles suggests that it is better for your body (because it’s less repetitive) and I think it’s better for your mind. Running outdoors takes you out of your own world and puts you into the real one.
And let’s be frank, life is enough of a treadmill anyway, why spend more time on one!
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35399598
The piece portrays an indoors vs outdoors divide when it comes to preferences for exercise. The indoors type typically runs on a treadmill in a gym and the outdoors type prefers the fresh air, changing scenery and the interaction with nature.
From a personal perspective, I find treadmill running extremely dull, it is repetitive, monotonous (just think about the drone of the machine) and it is more expensive too because of the need to pay for gym membership to gain access to the equipment.
You won’t therefore be surprised to know that I am firmly in the outdoors camp when it comes to my running preference. For me, running is more than just a means of getting some exercise and challenging the flab, it is also a way to relieve stress, think/reflect, observe the world around me and have some time out.
It isn’t about looking cool (and believe me I don’t), it isn’t about showing off to other exercise devotees, it isn’t about the narcissistic pleasure of looking at myself in a mirror and it isn’t about listening to MTV (or whatever they pipe into gyms these days).
Don’t get me wrong, as a red blooded male, I’ll get some pleasure from looking at fit, pretty females in Lycra at the gym; but I came to terms long ago with the facts that I am no spring chicken anymore, have negligible “eye candy” appeal and certainly don’t look at my best when all hot and sweaty.
And anyway, there is a risk that if one is distracted by eyeing up the “talent” rather than concentrating on the running, one might fall off the end of the treadmill.
Treadmill running lulls one into a false sense of one’s own skill level. The treadmill will have some form of speed indicator but my experience is that has no relation to the pace you actually run for real. To illustrate, when in running events outdoors, my pace varies between 7.5 and 9 minutes miles depending upon how far I have run and how knackered I am. 7.5 minute miles only occur when I am right up for it and am at my best – the pace doesn’t tend to hold much past a couple of miles at a time. In the gym, I have had a treadmill report to me that my pace is six minute miles…
…and that must be bollocks.
For balance, running outside does have some drawbacks, you often come across dog owners who don’t control their pets properly, you may end up with dog shit on your shoes, fresh air is inevitably mixed with pollutants, some dullards just don’t get out of your way, the weather can be nasty and running in the dark can be a risky business.
But running outside is more rewarding in my opinion, the articles suggests that it is better for your body (because it’s less repetitive) and I think it’s better for your mind. Running outdoors takes you out of your own world and puts you into the real one.
And let’s be frank, life is enough of a treadmill anyway, why spend more time on one!
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