Running on a treadmill is quite different from running on a road. The most important thing to do on a treadmill is set the incline to 1-2 degrees to simulate running on a road. Also the streeses and strains aren't as bad as bio-mechanicaly the two are very different.

I run almost exclusivly on roads and have suffered no worse, Have done some off-road work in the past tracks trails and forestry, I found my ankles were stronger and more stable as a result of the uneven landings. Regarless of what surface you run on your body adapts well to it and strengthens the parts that need it.

Squint

I do the majority of my running on roads, cross country type running must be harder as when I do this my foot starts to go numb! Me and my bloody feet

that's good to know...

i thought it was just me who always road runs...

an extra day off running today but hopefully will be fine to run tomorrow...

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Caught me running - Tiesto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOyDWOMqajU

I`ve never used a treadmill in my life................

I always run on roads. There is so many miles of nice road running to do, its harder to find off road places that stretch for miles and allow such choice in what direction to go.

All of my running on road, but as a city dweller not much choice anyway. I sometimes envy those who have country or coastal options (more for the scenery than the surface though, when I think about it).

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Don

I've ran on a treadmill once or twice, why I have I found I got very bored after about 10 minutes. There is only so long even I can look at myself in a mirror.

Me neither, Dave. I was beginning to think I was the only one!

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GONE RUNNING

treadmils can be alright...

they are good to use if you are going to the gym or when you can't run because the roads are icey...

if you are going to use one then i would always vary the gradient (as this is something that you can't change when you run outside)...

i used to do either :

- start on gradient level 1, go to max gradient, work back to gradient 1

or

- do intervals on low and high gradient

but tbh now that it is summer you shouldn't need to use it much...

i looked on my log and i only went to the gym and used the treadmil once in six weeks...

it is no way near as good as running outside...

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Caught me running - Tiesto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOyDWOMqajU

Fair point that you can't vary the gradient as easily but you can run on hills, maybe not in London but you can here. On a hill you can't just decide you've had enough and level it out you have to keep going to the top and even if you slow to a walk it's still hard going.