2-42: Small Risks Worth Taking

A Case for Uneven Pavement

I think probably too much about the implications of running outside versus running on the treadmill at the gym. The gym in my building is pristine, like an Equinox, and it is very predictable. I’m very likely to run into friendly neighbors and my workout can be timed down to the minute. There are no surprises, and often that’s exactly what I need. On the other hand, it sometimes feels like a hamster wheel workout. The workouts can tend to blend together, especially when I use the same treadmill I normally use.

Running, walking, or working out outside is different. You’re 100x more likely to exchange a smile with a passing stranger. You’re more likely to see and hear interactions that broaden your perspective. You notice nature and the weather. The sharp breeze off the bay. Even if you take the exact same route, it never really repeats. I have lately found myself craving the mental stimulation that these outdoor workouts offer.

Running or walking outside, especially in a dense city, has its risks. It’s not just the scenery or the breeze that I enjoy. I actually embrace the friction that comes with it: waiting at a crosswalk you thought you could make; having to nearly stop because someone with headphones and a 10-foot retractable dog leash is taking up the entire sidewalk; stubbing your toe on uneven pavement. All of these moments are tests of patience, and they force you to pay attention.

You might make 100 small decisions on an outdoor run. On a treadmill, you’ll likely make two: how fast you choose to go, and how long you will run. There are also the bigger risks: the greater-than-zero likelihood of being hit by a car crossing the street, and a 10x higher likelihood of rolling your ankle on uneven pavement compared to a treadmill. The odds aren’t zero, which is why they’re worth mentioning, especially compared to the actual zero likelihood of being hit by a car taking the elevator to my gym.

On the flip side, I would argue there is some risk to perpetually choosing the safe, controlled, hamster wheel workout. The gym and treadmill definitely still check the box, and sometimes they are necessary. Lately I’ve been prioritizing outdoor runs and evening walks because I am enjoying the variety that it brings to my days. The mental benefit slightly outweighs the risks, at least for now.

For now, I’m choosing outside more often than not. Not because it’s objectively better, but because it changes my day. I still use the treadmill when I need control, time, or consistency. When I feel the monotony of the hamster wheel workout coming on, I know I have to step outside, hear the city, and feel the air.