Treadmill Training versus Outside Running

So the reason I was interested about reading this article was because I recently just ran outside for the first time. To my surprise it was a lot more difficult than running on the treadmill. I started my training with the treadmill so I could keep track of my milage and time so I would get a better sense of where I am at physically. When I ran outside my legs were killing me and it was a struggle to do the mileage I usually do on the treadmill. Boy...do I have a lot to work on.

Check out this cool article http://www.runningplanet.com/training/treadmill-versus-outside-running.html.. It has a lot of good information on this topic. The following are some valuable tips I took from it:

Running on the treadmill offers fitness and calorie burning benefits that are very similar to outside running. However, there are differences between free range running and treadmill running. The primary differences are the lack of wind resistance on the treadmill, the flat, unchanging surface of the treadmill deck and the effect the moving belt has on your running or walking stride.  

When you run outside you are moving over changing terrain. The slant and incline of the ground is always changing. The surface you are running over may also change. You might move from concrete to gravel or grass to asphalt. The smooth and even surface of the treadmill cannot be made rough and uneven. The main negative result of this is the lack of propreoceptive training. Proprioception is an important skill when running on the treadmill. Proprioception is basically intuitively feeling and knowing the position and motion of your body, feet, legs, arms, etc. at all times. It is being aware of all of the different actions of your running stride. This is something that, to a limited extent, you do naturally. But to maximize your level of awareness, practice consciously being aware of your position on the belt, the amount of forward lean, the position of your hips, the angle of your feet and all stages of your running stride.

When running outside, you encounter all types of uneven and unstable running surfaces. A changing surface will force your neuromuscular system to become more proprioceptive because it must make split second adjustments in order to keep your body stable and moving in the right direction. The flat and even surface of the treadmill removes this valuable training opportunity. So, if you do most or all of your workouts on the treadmill, you should practice proprioception at all times. 

All runners should concentrate on proper form when they run, whether they train on a treadmill or the road. This is especially important for new treadmill users. It is much better to perfect your form right away, rather than acquire bad running form habits that may be hard to break. Good running form is the same no matter where you train.

The most efficient running posture is one that is mostly upright and relaxed, with a slight, whole body, forward lean beginning at the ankles. You should not lean forward at the waist. Your chest should be pushed out and your shoulders back and relaxed. Avoid all tension in your upper body.