[Kanaka]

Ok, so here's my question to the community; do personal best records count if you run them on a treadmill? I asked this of myself as I staggered off the infernal contraption yesterday while trying to break my 10K PR ( I didn't, maybe soon though) and began wondering if anyone would consider it legit? What do you all say on this topic? <img alt="surprised.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/surprised.gif">

 

[theia]

I asked the same question to the 30s a while ago. The consensus was that it sadly does not count since the TM might be a bit off. Sorry.<br><br>
However, shortly after I broke my 5K PR on a treadmill, I went out and did it again in a race. So a treadmill PR is a good sign of things to come! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Tamster]

<b>For me</b>, PR's are attained through official races - with courses that are measured and 'official' times. I don't even count a training run that might end up being a PR as a true PR. I might make mention or make a note in my training log that I beat my PR in a training run, but unless I can do it in a race, I don't consider it a "PR" .

 

[Kanaka]

Theia and Tamster, thanks for the input, you can see a poll has been added, don't forget to vote! <img alt="icon_salut.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_salut.gif">

 

[Tamster]

I noticed that Kanaka - about the poll - and I voted. I voted "No" - but not necessarily for the reason stated. I think if one is using a TM that has been properly calibrated, it's not really a matter of too many differences involved - your time is accurate and your distance could be very accurate. Or, someone with a Garmin could go out and run a 10 K and be just as accurate, or maybe even moreso, then an officially measured course.<br><br>
My opinion is that PR's are designated for races, not individual or solo runs. The official race, with an official chip time or clock time, etc. serves as a "validator", if you will, on the time a person race a particular distance in. I've seen people list "PR's" in their profiles and <i>usually</i> if it's a PR that someone ran in a training run, it'll be mentioned that it was a training run PR versus an official race PR.

 

[dtoce]

yes, it counts as a TM time trial<br><br>
(but I wouldn't count it as a <i>race</i> PR, but I don't count races that aren't certified, either...)

 

[ksrunr]

Fun ? If you're counting the run as a legit race distance pr then the obvious answer has to be no. If you are on the same machine doing the same distance set up the same way I would say yes. I like to play mind games like that. Can I run the same time or distance a bit faster today even if it's on a machine? It's a way to stay motivated and validated. If I can do 10 pushups today and then next week I can do 11 or 12 that is a personal record for me. Maybe not official or validated but just for me.

 

[canalrunner]

For me, if it is not in a race, it is not a PB. Although it is probably good for training to set various TM challenges to diminish the boredom.

 

[Ileneforward]

I think any distance beyond 3 miles is tougher on a treadmill, mentally and physically...the exact repetitive movements over and over, so I say go ahead and count them.

 

[RunsTheBitterroot]

I actually think it is the personal opinion of the beholder. If you PR'd on the TM, I say way to go! Congratulations! Still though I think PR's only count towards a specific course and the TM can be one of those. As far as accuracy goes, it is not that difficult to measure it's accuracy, add or subtract the distance then add about 10 or 20 meters to insure it is atleast the correct distance.<br><br>
It might be fun for those who don't have races available to have online cyber races on the TM. What do you think? We have done the 5k barefoot run at CR 2 years in a row.<br><br>
Larry

 

[tomwhite]

.....hey, a PR's a PR in My Book......<br><br><br>
did you know<br>
I had A Book??

 

[mcsolar99]

treadmills are often not calibrated properly. but for me the main thing is no wind resistance. you can approximate this with putting the inclination up, but it's just an approximation.<br><br>
i'd be thrilled to take 15 seconds off my 10k pr. but that's less than 1% difference, about 0.7%. that's why we rely so much on course officials to get the right measurement; even small errors in the course distance (in this case just 70m over 10k distance) result in significant time differences.<br><br>
i don't think there's any way to reproduce the race effort and distance on a treadmill to that accuracy.<br><br>
ok, that said, sounds like you still had a great workout!

 

[iapetus999]

I voted no, but only because I'm assuming you want to compare your PR's with my PR's...which I only count for races.<br>
HOWEVER...that doesn't mean you can't have "Personal" PR's...like longest long run, most miles in a week/month/year, fastest split, etc.<br>
Whatever records you want to keep for yourself, just go for it.

 

[Cashmason]

I have PR for races and Personal Best for any run.

 

[Fortunate One]

MC mentioned wind, which is a big difference. I think the proper grade setting to compensate is between 0.5 and 1.0%, but those "round" numbers tend to be your only choices. Temperature is another factor, of course. Ideal running conditions might be mid-50's F, considerably below the typical TM temperature. And then there's the TM's position relative to fans ... the list goes on an on. I'm with Theia; if you race in IRC, you'll beat your TM time.

 

[SLOjim]

Unless treadmill settings are off, I don't see how you could run faster on a TM than in a race. In a key race with the adrenalin pumping, it's always good for 15-30 secs/mile off any hard training run whether it's on a TM or outside.

 

[VictorN]

Reason #1) Calibration is likely to be off<br>
Reason #2) It just isn't the same.<br><br>
On the otherhand, if anybody can set a Marathon PB on a TM, then I take my hat off to them.<br><br>
Victor