Hi,
As a part of my general and overall training regime for WTF Taekwondo I incorporate running at differing heart rates to improve on my aerobic system and to help with weight management.
I only do two runs a week at varying distances depending at what stage I am in, in both a meso and macrocycle. I also usually only ever run indoors on a treadmill.
I have always believed that for an indoor sport such as Taekwondo I should run indoors on a treadmill and that the treadmill surface would have less of an impact on my knees as a hard outdoor surface would.
However to manage my time more effectively I wanted to start doing runs in the early morning when I wake up as part of my dynamic and static stretch morning routine.
To cut a long story short I want to know if it would be just as beneficial running outdoors in the morning as it would to run indoors on a treadmill?
Should an indoor athlete keep his training indoors? Or would running outdoors on the concrete have an adverse effect on my training?
I know this question seems very petty and stupid but I want to make sure my training is as efficient as possible and any effect no matter how small can make a difference for the rest of the microcycle.
Any replies would be greatly appreciated especially from Mr Kurz.
All the best, Koryodan.
Running: Inside or outside?
I always do my running outside.
Maybe it's just training myth but..
1-Running on rough terrain can help develop balance.
2-Running on soft surfaces(mud,sand,etc) will make the run harder and develop calf/ankle strength.
3-running in cold/wet conditions toughens you up!
Like i say,it may just be out dated training myth but even pro boxers who could easily afford to have a treadmill still run outdoors.
Dragon.
Maybe it's just training myth but..
1-Running on rough terrain can help develop balance.
2-Running on soft surfaces(mud,sand,etc) will make the run harder and develop calf/ankle strength.
3-running in cold/wet conditions toughens you up!
Like i say,it may just be out dated training myth but even pro boxers who could easily afford to have a treadmill still run outdoors.
Dragon.
I agree, to "be exposed to the elements" makes you tough.
I am very lucky to live in very preserved natural environment. So I always do my running in the forests. That also keeps me motivated while running, you know: always listening sounds around you, smells.... expecially in the spring. And I also change route almost daily, so its always different and never boring. For me its hard to imagine running inside.
Cheers.
I am very lucky to live in very preserved natural environment. So I always do my running in the forests. That also keeps me motivated while running, you know: always listening sounds around you, smells.... expecially in the spring. And I also change route almost daily, so its always different and never boring. For me its hard to imagine running inside.
Cheers.
Dragon's comments are interesting. I never thought much about those extra benefits of running outside. I just always liked running outside because it's more scenic and interesting. When I was going to grad school in Pasadena, CA I found that I really had to start running indoors because the ozone pollution was so bad that I'd be coughing for hours afterwards. Still, I did more outdoor running there than I probably should have, just because I didn't want to use the treadmill.
As far as toughing out the elements, I haven't found running on the beaches here in Santa Barbara to be that much of a hardship.
The hardship came when I had to buy a home (Santa Barbara has the dubious distinction of being the single most overpriced housing market in the US). 
-Mark
As far as toughing out the elements, I haven't found running on the beaches here in Santa Barbara to be that much of a hardship.
The hardship came when I had to buy a home (Santa Barbara has the dubious distinction of being the single most overpriced housing market in the US). -Mark
