Confused about the 1.5 mile run

[Mennox]

right...i measured 1.5 miles on Google Earth around near my house, and i done the run on Thursday gone in 14 mins 50 secs. I have double-checked this on Google Earth and it is definitely 1.5.

I got a new treadmill on Friday, and i attempted 1.5 mile but in just over 13mins i had only done 0.7 mile and i was running same speed as i did on the run outside.

I am really confused here, as by the settings on the treadmill it looks like ill have to really sprint, but outside i just need to jog at my pace

Help!

 

[Mennox]

ahh think i i may have sussed the problem...i just started walking on it and i was going at the same speed as i was when i was running.

Then i realised that i was mostly running on my toes and that it wasnt picking up my proper speed

 

[Mennox]

actually it didnt work lol

 

[suits_U]

stick to road running, treadmills are for gays.

seriously although good for cardio, the problem with treadmills is that they propell your feet backward, rather than you propelling yourself forward.
Make sure you do plenty of road work in your training.


Oh and by the way, treadmills are bloody expensive, are you joining the Cavalry as an occifer?

 

[pieface]

I started off running on a treadmill could only do it in 12mins max, went out on the road did it in just over 11. The treadmill got me used to running again (not done any since I left high school in 199 but since I did it faster on the road I wouldn't go back to a machine.

The only thing I can think of for this is that with the treadmill it regulates your speed, on the road you can slow down and speed up at your own pace and not be trying to keep up with the machine.

 

[Seedubs]

Dont forget to increase the gradient on a treadmill, I think a 2% gradient is equivlent to a normal run outside (ish!).

Iif you have the gradient on 0% then you need to realise that this is just like running on the spot and you are not using your muscles to propel yourself forward.

 

[Mennox]

cheers guys

i think ill keep to the road for the 1.5 mile run...and just use the treadmill to get my fitness up more, one thing it does for sure is make me sweat more haha.

Also ive got the missus using it so she can shead some pounds herself muwhaha

 

[parasigs]

14 and 12 minutes for a mile and a half! What did you do-walk round? Backwards!

Seriously though, its better to run outside and off the pavement if u can. Running outside works different muscles as your legs/ankles etc have to stabalise and propell you on uneven ground, gradients and such like. So its harder and therefore you work harder.

Hill reps, sprints, interval and fartlek training are very good for getting your mile and a half time down too.

Good luck training guys!

 

[Renski]

I find this as well. On the 1.5 miles im down to 11 minutes, but on the tread mill I cant beat 13. I think I might be as im around 6ft, and have to take small and quick steps as im worried about falling off the back to the tread mill where as on the track or road I can run properly.

Edited for crap grammar.

 

[hrlyndon]

Hey try this site out for measuring distances for road running in you local area.

http://www.runningahead.com/tools/map

Change the country and type in your town, you can then zoom right in click your starting position and then click on the roads to make your route. this will also give you the distance in miles or km. You can register free if you want to save your routes.

Good luck to all.

Holly

Below example of a planned 1.5 route.

 

[skywalker0]

Quality link Holly.. nice one for that.

 

[hrlyndon]

No problem Skywalker.




Holly

 

[Chuff]

I'm 6ft 2 and I dont have any trouble with treadmills. Just put it on an incline of at least 2 when you're running and you're pretty much there. I find the hill settings on treadmills quite handy, but dont bother just going for a stroll on 'manual' at 0 gradient for however long - thats for the cardio queens. If you can, get outside. its far less boring and a lot more satisfying when you finish! Just make sure that you have some decent trainers if you're pavement pounding or you might end up knackering your knees, trust me!!

 

[Timpatient]

Dont forget to increase the gradient on a treadmill, I think a 2% gradient is equivlent to a normal run outside (ish!).

Iif you have the gradient on 0% then you need to realise that this is just like running on the spot and you are not using your muscles to propel yourself forward.

This is bollocks - you're running along relative to the belt. However, you don't get any air resistance, though doesn't sound like that would trouble the OP.

Anyway I find I run quite a bit faster outside that I do on a treadmill. and it's waaaay less dull.

 

[Friendly_Fire]

Dont forget to increase the gradient on a treadmill, I think a 2% gradient is equivlent to a normal run outside (ish!).

Iif you have the gradient on 0% then you need to realise that this is just like running on the spot and you are not using your muscles to propel yourself forward.

This is balls - you're running along relative to the belt. However, you don't get any air resistance, though doesn't sound like that would trouble the OP.

Anyway I find I run quite a bit faster outside that I do on a treadmill. and it's waaaay less dull.

I agree the 2% gradient is not to do with forward propulsion - if you didn't propel yourself forward, you'd soon be on the floor behind the treadmill. I always thought you needed some incline to make up for the "help" the treadmill gives you in its bounce - I always find running on a treadmill is easier than the road, because its softer and bouncier.

Which is why I don't. Plus, like mentioned above, it's better to get used to the vagaries of the wind and road camber, etc. - the army's going to test you on the road, not a treadmill.

FF.

 

[Little_Monkey]

You will have to use less force on a treadmill partly because of lack of air resistance and partly because of the "forward propulsion" issue. When you lead foot hits the ground the traction of the tread mill will pull your foot back, it will move to the rear of the treadmill, and will be behind relative to your center of gravity. Momentum of course will have a similar effect, but it will be much less pronounced and will require a much bigger input from the runner in terms of energy expended. It's not as simple as running forward relative to the treadmill, and the forward propulsion issue is not balls.

 

[bigspanner]

I have started running again after a back operaation and then using that as an excuse not to run, just in case..etc etc 20kilo heavier later, I bought a treaadmill (and yes expensive) which I usd to hang my clothes on for 12 months. In the last four weeks I have been using either the treadmill or running outside. I find the same problem in that I cover more distance outside than on the treadmill. I am now upto 60min at 8km/h on the treadmill, and 30-40min outside. I put the difference down to the cushioning efffect on the treadmill. Some of your effort is soaked into the system of the treadmill, therefore when you stretch into your next stride you are not covering the same amount of distance as you would on the road (every action has an equal and opposite reaction)..ie you lose a few inches every stride. I train at a 3% incline and basically use the treadmill for a good cardio workout to help me get rid of fat. For true running though you need to be out on the road, and I know it hurts more but it needs doing. p.s I've now lost 10kilo in 4 weeks and am enjoying running and training again..

 

[Mennox]

well im quite chuffed now....few weeks ago i was running 1.5mile in over 14mins, got a cold and didnt run for 2 weeks (mostly coz of phelgm when running). I did a tactical recruit selection weekend last week and it was tough.

My RSM told me on Tuesday that he has doubts passing my 1.5miler on my 1 alpha at end of month and that if i want to be sure of passing it then i need to train more.

Well i went out for a 1.5mile run past 2 days at dinnertime at work....yesterday i got 12.54 and today i got 12.59 which is over 1 minute more faster then 2 weeks ago so im well chuffed about that....legs are aching now tho

 

[suits_U]

Thats the way to do it mate
Just keep going, everyday if you can, with a rest day obviously.
Its the only way you can improve.
As soon as you feel it getting a touch easier, open your pace up/quicken your step.
Also try the fartlek method to improve your time.
Good luck!

 

[Mennox]

Thats the way to do it mate
Just keep going, everyday if you can, with a rest day obviously.
Its the only way you can improve.
As soon as you feel it getting a touch easier, open your pace up/quicken your step.
Also try the fartlek method to improve your time.
Good luck!

cheers mate! will try the fartlek method too.

Just want some clarification for my 1 alpha fitness test...will i need to run around while they are showing layout of the 1.5mile course then do the test straight afterwards (they did that for the para assault course at weekend) which meant doing 3 miles instead of initial 1.5mile

What im getting at is if they show us round the course via jogging then expecting to do the full course straight afterwards then my time is gonna be alooot longer then if it was the warm-up and 1.5mile.

And including the warm-up, is it worth extending my run to 2 miles so my body gets used to it for when i do test?

hope i havent confused ya there!