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5K times treadmill vs. outside (figure flat course)

trigirl1203trigirl1203
in General Training Discussions

 How much of a time difference may you have?  I did a 5k test on the treadmill last week, and this morning completed my run workout (2x.5 mi Z4, 1x1mi Z4).  My times (at a true zone 4 effort, outside) were about 45 seconds faster than prescribed based on the run test on the treadmill.  Thinking about using a turkey trot next weekend to get another indication of what my true 5K time is right now--thoughts?  Thanks guys!

Comments

  • Jeff UnruhJeff Unruh
    Running faster since it was cooler outside?

    I find it somewhat easier to just set the TM at my goal pace and hang on - less mental energy on staying on pace. The downside is the heat factor from running on a TM.
  • jhbinscjhbinsc

    Many treadmills are not calibrated properly and can indicate faster or slower times than outside tests w/ GPS or a known, certified course. Also add 1-2% incline although doubtful that'd make 45 sec/mi difference. And yes, outside is likely cooler and faster too this time of year. Probably many more variables I'm not thinking of too.

  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    I support the idea of using a race to get an accurate VDOT. Personally I cannot run to my potential in a TT by myself, so I only adjust my VDOT based on actual races. As for the treadmill, I am much slower on a treadmill and in any case only use tthe treadmill when conditions ouside make running totally impossible.
  • Joseph LombardiJoseph Lombardi

    I think the TM provides a sufficient/practical test suitable for determing most of your workout goals; one issue I have with the TM is that you have to kind of prejudice you result because you have set the speed of the TM.....I think it becomes a bit self limiting at the max end...in a race you can often run past what you might normally consider possible due to race conditions...

    on the flip side; if you are setting realistic training parameters...and you run what you "believe" is your max on the TM...then that "is" an equally good and theoretical VO2 max/threshold level...until you provd otherwise in a race.

    Discalimer: I love to do quality training on the TM.

     

  • gilliattgilliatt
    I've struggled w/ the treadmill pace thing too. Basically I do tests on the same model of treadmill, I use .5 incline and pretty much what it spits for time I use in the data tool. While it is likely a little unrealistically fast I just try to get a spring 5k in before I put too much stock into my outside vDot. Since I get outside so infrequently for runs in the OS it really doesn't matter what I do on the roads. I've had too many issues w/ the food pod and cadence dropouts for it to be semi accurate.
    As far as the turkey trot idea really why not just do it, then go back and run a similar course in the spring that will be the best litmus test.
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