C: I had the most fabulous run in the park this morning. There were loads of birds and lots of peacocks dancing.
Y: Bet you got loads of lovely pollution as well.
C: Yeah, OK. Pollution. I grant you that. We live in Delhi, remember. So there’s pollution everywhere.
Y: Not in the gym there isn’t. Pollution and air quality are controlled in a gym. There are air filters. And, of course, there’s temperature control. Seriously, do you really head out to run in the rain and the fog or the blistering mid-day summer heat? No, I thought not. Whereas I can run when I want, regardless of the weather outside.
C: But when you run outdoors, you get to meet people and see interesting things. You know, all the stuff that happens every single day here in India.
Y: I can do all that when I’m walking the dogs. Running is running. I want to focus on my running without distractions. And I want to run as healthily and safely as possible. Hence the treadmill.
C: Doesn’t it get boring running in one place?
Y: No, it doesn’t. I can watch TV or a film while I’m running.
C: Well, I can listen to music while running outdoors.
Y: Are you mad? The danger of running with headphones on in traffic is serious. Also, think about it: if you have an accident when you’re out running, you’re pretty much on your own. In a gym, there’s always someone around. It’s in a controlled environment. There’s first aid available, for example.
C: Fair enough. I do worry about tripping and falling, as has happened in the past.
Y: See? On a treadmill there is none of that risk. Also, let’s be frank, we live in a city that isn’t woman-friendly. Don’t you worry about that?
C: I do. Of course I do. I’ve been molested several times.
Y: And still you run outdoors? Are you mad? Did anyone come and help you?
C: No.
Y: I rest my case.
C: Treadmill running means you never get to meet other runners.
Y: Good point. But it’s a small price to pay, to feel safe both from the traffic, the poor air quality and the sexual risks you mentioned. And there’s one more thing… what time do you get up to go running in the summer months, in the heat?
C: About 4.30 am.
Y: And you go to bed at…
C: Anything after 10 o’clock and I’m a zombie.
Y: So you have a busy social life?
C: Nope. Zero social life.
Y: Whereas if you ran on a treadmill, just think, you could go meet friends, you could occasionally go to bed later than 10 pm, and then you could run the next day whenever you like. Have a normal life, with a balance between exercise and friends.
C: You have a point.
Y: Yet again, I rest my case.
Amateurs aside, here’s what the doc says
If you are training for an outdoor running or walking event, obviously you would want to train for race conditions, for a better result, which means you would have to get outside. You’ll be much more prepared for the demands on your muscles and joints by running on varied terrain if you run outdoors. Running outside any day is more challenging and lets you burn more calories, keeping in mind you have to complete a distance goal and just can’t stop midway when you are exhausted. But also, one gets to enjoy outdoor scenery, breathe fresh air, notice changing seasons, enjoy Nature to the fullest, take different routes and see something new daily. Overall, resulting in a greater feeling of accomplishment.
Running at the same pace on a treadmill consumes less energy (compared to a flat road) as a result of lack of wind resistance and unchanging terrain, but also because the treadmill belt propels you forward, making it easier for you to run. Outdoor running not only helps you become accustomed to running in varied weather conditions, but one also learns what to wear for different temperatures. Another important consideration is that many treadmills don’t have a decline feature to simulate downhill running, which is essential if you are running in an event that has uneven or varied terrain. Neither are there turns on a treadmill, another important adaptation your body needs to make if you plan to run outside. For advanced runners, do at least 60% training outside in order to train the body for the real deal.
Dr Balbir Singh Gandhi is a runner and works at Sukhmani Hospital, Safdarjung Enclave
