June 28, 2013
Why Running on A Treadmill is Just Plain Silly

Why the Street is the Place for Me
I hate treadmills! They're boring, and they make my feet hurt when I run. There's just something limiting about running on a treadmill - when what I really want to be doing is running outside! Being able to run in the open air is amazing, especially when compared to the stale, piped-in air that you get in a gym. Unless the treadmill is outside or in a place where fresh air is accessible, I feel like I'm a sardine in a can. Give me the open air any day - even the pollution of big cities is better than the sweat-laden air of that man huffing and puffing next to me. I'm not a cheapskate, but the thought of paying to go to a gym and run kind of puzzles me. Thankfully, there's a nice outdoor running track near where I live, and it's in a public park. However, I'm content to hit the streets, and it's much cheaper than paying for a gym membership. I'm the kind of person that hates to run in circles, and I hate seeing the same scenery day after day. The beauty of running on the street is that I can change up my route, depending on how much of a challenge I feel I need. I can run up and down hills, run along the beach, or take a route that leads me along a tree-lined path. It's variety that keeps me running!
Why the Gym May Make Sense
There are a few exceptions to my "always hit the streets rule":- Winter -- Winters in my town can get pretty cold, and the wind makes running next to impossible. For those living in places too cold to run, get on that treadmill!
- Joint Pain -- I did notice a lot more joint pain when I first started running on concrete, but no longer. If you have joint issues, it may be better to run in the controlled environment of a gym.