Road or Treadmill - Which Is Faster?
We're always up for a challenge here at The Running Channel.
So when someone pointed out that it's possible to run the exact same route on a video game
on the treadmill, as it is in real life, that seems like something we should probably put
to the test.
And since the Running Channel HQ is in London, we've teamed up with Zwift to run their
12.2 kilometre Greater London flat loop, which takes in lots of
iconic London landmarks.
Now I've been volunteered as tribute to both
take on the route on the treadmill, where I'll have the luxury of controlling my pace,
sheltering from the ever-changing UK weather and, of course, avoiding
road crossings, and also take on the route in real life, which also means navigating.
It will be interesting to see the difference in my pace as we go and compare the two.
So let's get stuck in.
Right then - loading London.
Let's go. I feel nervous.
Where are we?
Right then, start running.
Go, go, go, go, go!
Oh, yeah, there's St James's Park on the left. St James's Park.
I mean, I was having a race with a guy from Canada on Zwift.
This guy is in real life, but he's much faster than me.
I don't think he's racing me.
Yeah, I think it might have been like sunset or nighttime when I ran this on Zwift.
Definitely still daylight.
We are coming up to Buckingham Palace.
Oh, the sky's gone very dramatic.
It's like an orangey sunset.
Yeah, Yeah.
Mhm.
There's something happening at Buckingham Palace.
There's lots of music playing.
I think it's because it's changing of the guards today.
a right turn.
I can't remember what that road's called in real life.
But I know that there is an
uphill up to the roundabout.
This is my least favourite bit of the route
because if I was plotting it myself,
I wouldn't just do an out and back.
And back again.
Morning.
I guess that's the equivalent of a real-life
Ride On?
Pigeons, pedestrians, roads, walking.
Busy. Busy, busy, busy. Busy, busy, busy, busy.
Don't get this on Zwift, do you?
Oh, look!
I need to go that way.
And the only way to do that is to use the crossings.
Risk it.
Green man. I'm gonna go across here and then I'm gonna have to wait for
another green man.
Go, go, go, go.
Pedestrians, phone zombies, phone zombies, phone zombies.
Phone zombies are the worst because I don't know where they're going.
I always look where I'm going.
Even when I've got a GoPro. Phone zombies are the worst.
I'm now running directly into the sun I don't have any sunglasses,
so at least ones with when its day time and the sunny, you don't actually get the
sun in your eyes. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining that it's sunny.
It's a lovely day.
So on Zwift,
that blue lane
is actually for runners.
IRL It's a cyclist, and I think I'd p* quite a
lot of people off if I was running in it.
Another thing to consider
when running outside
and not on the treadmill
is I need nav to know where I'm going.
Whereas when you're on Zwift,
It just tells you where to go, because you don't have to change direction.
You just run forwards.
Complicated crossing system.
I need to go over there.
Do you think I need to go there, then there?
That one's green, that one's red.
Oh, so complicated.
Welcome to Sloane Square, the land of the rich and famous.
Oh, green.
Another really good thing about running this route on Zwift
compared to running it on the road
is I haven't got to think about
not running into phones zombies or, like, crossing
roads, waiting for traffic, looking out for
bikes and other hazards and stuff.
You can literally just get on
and run.
Woah, close pass.
I Remember Green Park Station and the Ritz on the Zwift route.
And here we are.
Oh, yeah,
Because I've got
my maps on my wrist,
I can't see any of my data.
Not like on the Heads Up screen on Zwift.
Where I can see how long I've got left.
How far I've come,
what my pace is, how long I've been going, so I've got no idea
as we come into the final stretch, which is going to be quicker. Here's Trafalgar Square.
Footway closed.
I said when I was running on Zwift that there was
loads of roadworks happening on the Mall and
I knew it because you have to go around the back way at the moment while they finish it.
It's a little bit extra added on to the route.
Here it comes.
A nice big finish line gantry.
It is actually giving me all the need for speed.
I bloody love a sprint finish. Green light, green light, green light.
I'm racing myself.
But come on.
100 metres.
Let's go.
Go, go, go, go, go!
Oh, 25 metres.
25 metres.
19, 12,
20,
6.
Ah.
Course complete.
Stop the watch.
Whoa!
Oh, it's close.
It is close.
So I was keeping an eye on my pace, and that was really close, although definitely more stressful crossing
roads and avoiding all the people.
I ran the route in 1 hour and 16 minutes on the treadmill and covered the same distance
in one hour and 18 minutes in real life.
So not much in it at all.
The route was a lot of fun.
And I also love the fact that I could join in with my running friends for a virtual run, no matter where they are
and look at the same things.
We'd love to know where in the world you would run and who would run with.
So let us know in the comments below. Would you like to run with me or anyone else at The Running Channel?
Let us know and we can make it happen.
We can set up a run on Zwift for everyone from the Running Channel community to join us.
Or you never know,
we might be able to run together at an event in real life, too.
Failing that, we'll see you next time on The Running Channel.
