Treadmill vs. Regular Walking Question

[Baileymouse]

Do you see a difference time-wise between walking on the treadmill and walking on a regular surface?

My time isn't spectacular on the treadmill. I'm just about at the mile for 15 minutes, but I think I can do better on the street. Maybe it's my imagination.

 

[geetey]

Not your imagination at all!!! I most definitely see a difference on pavement versus the treadmill. Perhaps it is because my body can set it's own pace and move faster when it feels capable? I know partly it is because I can stretch out my stride longer on the pavement.

I see a 2+ minute time difference in the treadmill versus the walking trails.

 

[wiskband]

so are you faster on the TM or on pavement?
I am curios myslef, doing the marathon and have only been able to train on TM.......Its obvisous there will be a difference but I was thinking a difference in the way my legs feel........probably worse on pavement. I never thought my time may be different.hope its in my favor......
cause I have no choice but to do a certain speed when I program the TM to make me do so.

renee

 

[Princess Michelle]

I'm faster off the treadmill than I am on it. I can do a 15 minute (sometimes a little faster) mile when walking on the pavement. It takes roughly 20 on the treadmill.

 

[geetey]

Oops! I see that I wasn't very clear. I walk faster on pavement, versus the treadmill.

 

[Baileymouse]

So it's not just me - glad to hear it! I was worried. Also, the treadmill at the gym measures heart rate, and when it goes beyond a certain point (kinda low if you ask me) it lowers the speed. So, I'm always fighting with the machine to do my mile in 15 minutes, lol. Now I won't worry as much.

 

[MelanieC]

I hope it's true. I've only been doing my training on the TM. I sure hope I'm faster on foot. My question is, how do I measure myself when walking on foot. I dont' have anyplace to walk around here where I know what the miles are.

 

[geetey]

Melanie,
I had to seek out some walking trails. There is a county park here that has a lake, with a walking trail around it. One loop around the lake is 4 miles. Only through some research and experimenting was I able to find the best place to start my walk (depends on how much I need to do). Some of the mile markers aren't near a parking lot. For example - when I need to walk 6 miles, I park at the 4 mile marker, walk 1 loop, walk to the 3 mile marker and then back track to the 4.

Several of the high schools have tracks but the thought of the mindless looping is just too much for me. This particular trail works for me because it has a nice surface, has some slight hills, good scenery, bathroom/drinking fountains... I tried another park and the trail was more of a hiking trail with steep inclines, sharp turns and slanted pathways (very hard on the ankles).

Check a local running store -- they can make suggestions of places to walk or of walking groups you can ask. Pedometers just haven't been accurate for me! I know there are some very good GPS watches out there though!

Hope this helps!

 

[perfectmatch300]

I don't have a TM, I have a Gazelle that measures speed & distance. I guess I'm opposite of many of you because I'm faster on the Gazelle than off it. I think it's because I'm able to take longer strides on the Gazelle. I'm far more likely to slip when I take longer strides with my really short legs when I'm walking on the ground instead of on a machine.