Sunday, 02 January 2011
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I'm Stuck Running at the Gym
Unlike more serious runners, I don't have a strong disdain for running at the gym. I'll use the treadmill or elliptical and zone out for a bit no problem. I do love running outside, though. And there is the major issue of ridiculously high costs of gyms here in NYC, but I think I have to take that plunge now after running outside for some time.
Here are the reasons I think I have to give up running outside.
Weather Variables
Coming from a warmer climate, I have trouble motivating myself to go outside when the weather dips below 35 degrees. I don't even own cold weather appropriate running gear! I've tried doing some work out videos at home, but living in a studio limits movement and doing videos every day gets boring. Heading to a gym nearby sounds like the better option.
High Impact
I've only ever been a casual runner. In college I used to go to the gym often, but I've never run outside consistently. So when I went to run outside all the time I've felt the pain of high impact running on asphalt or sidewalk cement. I had shin splints once and bad knees run in the family.
Exercise Induced Asthma
This was a recent development, tied to the problem below. I've only been living in NYC for two and a half years, and I guess my body isn't used to the temperature extremes. I started running again early this year but began to have breathing problems. This is the kind of thing I could beat by changing my training, but thanks to the problem below I can't.
That Mystery Pain
At least for the time being, because it's cold and I'm too lazy to run, I've given up figuring this problem out. But for some reason when I go running I get severe rib cage pain after about half a mile. It never goes away and I have no idea where it came from. It just showed up one day. I feel like it might be tied to my breathing issues, but it's still very strange. I'll have to see what happens when I go to the gym and run inside.
Healthkickers, what are your thoughts on working out in a gym versus outdoors? Do I just sound like a crazy person? (And feel free to call the Waahmbulance on me if you need to.)
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About the Author
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- From: susie013@xanga
- Name: Susie
- Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
- About Me: I'm 24 and live in Brooklyn. I love thrift shopping and sewing, though both are challenges sometimes. I'm a cat lady in training. I like running and tennis. I love the beaches in Southern California, the PNW and traveling around the world. Oh, and writing.
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Comments (20)
Sorry to hear you're having those issues. And I prefer working on a treadmill. I'm goal-oriented, so I like to see how far I've gone and how much farther I have to go with one quick glance at the screen. I like to make myself go a certain speed, whereas I would surely lag if my legs were doing the controlling outside. And it's so easy to time myself and adjust speed/incline/etc. Love it!
it's breathing related, i'm sure. when i first started running, i'd get them on both sides. lol try running and singing along to pop music.
I'm trying to figure out the pain as well, I think mine is actually a common one that most amateur runners experience.
Your mystery pain just sounds like a stitch in your side. Pretty common and not all that mysterious. If you're not accustomed to running, you're probably also not accustomed to breathing deeply enough to prevent spasms in your diaphragm, thus ...stitch.
i have all of these problems minus mystery pains.
I have the opposite problem. I gave myself repetitive stress fractures in both big toes from running on the treadmill. My podiatrist said that from now on I should run most of the time outdoors, because the treadmill forces your feet to endure the same impact over and over. I would consider at least running part of the time outdoors, or perhaps on a walking track inside so you don't have the same issue.
I live in NYC too and can relate to your issues. I reccommend joining Bally's which is not the fanciest gym, but you can also pay about 35/month there w/o a contract or sign up fee (this is what I do) and at that price...well it is hard to complain. (At least try it for the winter??)
Treadmills are useful since they will give you concrete goals and situations to place gauge your breathing issues against. It sounds like you are getting stitches, which is most likely connected to you not doing it regularly enough, same for the knee issues. (you can try stretching before hand too..but in truth, you're probably going to have to take on at least a little pain to "gain," so to speak)
good luck!
Maybe you should go doctor's to have a sit down and see if there is anything which could resolve this, always better safe than sorry ;] In general I don't see what puts people off going to have it checked out, I know some of my friends rather put off doctors and go gym and put down silly issues to bad health, but with medical practices as they are today I don't see why you should put it off but that's just my opinion ^^
Moving back on topic however, YEAH! Running outside sure beats running in the gym, for one thing I love it when the weather is just nice (calm), I see people running in the cold and I have to say, that is a major turn off for me XD But having started running in the gym recently I can see how treadmills can be a good substitute for running outside, but still a substitute is only a substitute..
i prefer running outdoors because it gives me a change in perspectives and can be more challenging depending on where you run. running on a treadmill is repetitive and can be boring, imo. but i find that on a treadmill, it keeps you at a consistent pace whereas outside, if you're tired, your pace tends to slow down.
as for high impact, make sure you buy a running shoe that suits your needs and feet type.
It sounds to me as if your "pain" is from your diaphragm. Try breathing techniques to assure you are breathing correctly and deeply as you run. When you start to feel the pain, slow down your pace and focus and control your breathing, once it's under control, start up again at the faster pace
Interesting. I've also always found it tougher to run outside than on a treadmill. Maybe it's because on a treadmill you can pace yourself better too.
The mystery pain comes from a weak core!
I only run inside the gym, mainly because of
1) weather (like you say)
2) traffic (don't have to worry about being hit by a car)
3) distractions (people, dogs/animals, bakery, etc)
4) unforeseen dangers (muggers, attack dogs, etc)
5) company (other runners to jog with)
Remember to stretch AFTER you run (more important than doing b4) to prevent injury. Don't forget to stretch your IT band because it will prevent weak knees down the road.
I don't think you sound crazy. We all have our preferances, and preferring to run indoors is no better/worse than running outdoors. As for the mystery pain...i wonder if perhaps you are pushing yourself too hard. I have experienced that kind of pain while running, but only when I have tried to push myself harder than my body was ready for. Like someone else said, just cutting back to walking until the pain subsides usually works. Good luck! :)
Running outdoors is better exercising. Instead of just bouncing up and down you have to put energy to move forward.
i prefer the gym rather than exercising outside..
i do both.. 3-4 days im indoor working out and 1-2 days i go for a walk/jog..ive felt the pain too.. its different jogging on the treadmill than on aspult.. treadmill is better..
I prefer gym I guess. One of my new year resolution is to lose weight. I'm not that fat but I have extra kilos that I want to shed this year! Just to prepare myself for my big day.
If your from a warmer climate winter breathing is harder on the lungs. Your body is having to compensate for the air your breathing in. It's like running on the mountains where there is thin air your lungs need to compensate in order to develop more which is why when people run in the mountains their chests are more developed because their lungs need to become bigger in order to breath the thin air. Unlike if you are running in the valley you have more air so easier to breath and take in warm air. While winter gear is expensive you can get by with wind breakers or sweats with under armor on. You want to dress warm but you don't need a lot because it will only make you sweat more and get cold because of the sweat. For the Shin splints banana's or potassium pills in order to get rid of them.
Perhaps you should learn breathing exercises while running. I have asthma as well and get that same pain, but controlled breathing (in for three steps, out for three steps works for me) makes it stop. Sometimes adjusting the pace and my posture can help too. You should invest in an inhaler. When it's cold, I hit it before running, and my run always goes very smoothly.
These problems are annoying, and when you have breathing problems it's much easier just to go the gym, but outdoor running is where it's at! :D
I've been a consistent outside runner for about two years now. I love it, not so much in the cold. Living in a big city make it difficult for you to not run on asphalt or concrete, but there are things you can do for shin splints and bad knees. Sometimes taking a bath helps and icing your shins when you get done running will also help. Something that helps me, is yoga, but in general just stretching before and after a run will help with soreness. Cold weather gear isn't all that bad. Some underarmer, sweatpants, tights for underneath the sweatpants, thick socks, gloves, a hat, and a sweatshirt. It's cold once you first start out, but after the first mile you wam up. Underarmer, a t-shirt, sweats, socks, and running shoes work for me. The mystery problem, sounds like it has to do with your breathing. If your breath is really erratic and uneven the entire time you run it hurts your lungs. Try to take breaths with your stride. Not every stride you take you also need to breath, but maybe a breath every three strides or four. Your breathing and strides increase with your pace. You'll just have to figure out works best for you.