From treadmill to..?

[Twigmango]

So have just completed the 60 min challenge from the Magic Plan and now I'm wondering what's next... in a slight quandary as I have done all my running on a treadmill - wasn't sure I trusted myself outside. But now, I'm not sure?!?! If I start running outside would I need to go back to C25K? Or start the magic plan again? Any thoughts & advice would be welcome. Thank you! PS it's still a nice dilemma to have!

[trogdelight Graduate10]

I would just listen to your body. There will be some adjustments to running outside, but you have come so far. You will be fine.

[backintime Graduate10]

I did up to 10k on treadmill then transitioned outside

At first it was hard and different, but in 2 weeks I was running the same distances as on the treadmill - just give it a go, what do you have to lose?

[Twigmango 60minGraduate in reply to backintime]

Thanks both, just the confidence push/boost I need!

[Elfe5 60minGraduate in reply to Twigmango]

You will love it! 😄 ( Push, push, boost, boost! 😂)

[backintime Graduate10 in reply to Twigmango]

It's completely doable, just don't be disheartened if the first run off the treadmill isn't the easiest run in the world, your muscles are being used a bit differently and they may need to adjust - just keep going and it will come

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Anyone who can run for 60 minutes on a treadmill doesn’t need any advice from anyone!

Seriously, well done to you. That is a great test for mental stamina and you passed with flying colours.

I did most of the C25K programme on a treadmill and when I went outside I did it gradually and built up slowly. So I did one run of 20 minutes outside and the other two on the treadmill, then the following week I increased the length of the outside run and got up to 30 minutes, then the week after I ran a second run of 20 minutes outside and so on. The important thing is to run very slowly outside. It’s harder to pace yourself and it is easier to run a bit faster. On the treadmill you just hit a button and away you go but outside it takes a bit of concentration and awareness.

As you’ve done 60 minutes on the treadmill you’ll be fine with a starting run outside of say 30 minutes and see how you get on.

Good luck, you’ll love it and you’ll be absolutely fine with the transition 🙂

[Twigmango 60minGraduate]

Elfe5 , backintime & Irishprincess Thank you so much for the encouragement and the brilliant advice. Let's see what this week brings!

[Run46 Graduate10 in reply to Twigmango]

You'll love it, even if it is a bit different...what with the scenery, fresh air and varied British weather 🌤🌧🌬😉

Let us know how you get on 🏃‍♀️👍

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

60min on a treadmill - well done, I suspect you'll be so busy looking at scenery etc when you run outside the time will fly. I've done all running outside and the thought of moving indoors doesn't appeal but I guess it would be a lot kinder on the joints. Good luck with transition.

[Run46 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

I'm hoping it doesn't get too icy or snowy this year or we may be forced inside a gym 😳👍

[SquashedPotato Graduate10]

I did exactly the same! I decided to venture outdoors to see what it was like. Found it very different & it took me about 4 runs to find a pace comfortable for me as on the treadmill I just set a speed for my brisk walk & then set it again for my run! I did really enjoy it and now run outside (weather permitting) or on treadmill. Try outdoors more than once & if you don’t enjoy go back to the treadmill. You’ve got nothing to lose. Enjoy!

[IrvingWashington Graduate10]

Just get out there and run! You'll find it soooooo much more enjoyable and rewarding than the treadmill. Of course you won't need to start C25K or magic plan again. A good starting point would be to join parkrun on a Saturday morning. You get a timed 5K run in lovely parks with loads of like minded runners of loads of different abilities. Good motivation and experience. You should be in a position now to just get out there and enjoy it! Have fun!

[LeeU 60minGraduate]

Ok, I was in exactly the same position as you are now, I completed the 60 minutes+ on the treadmill but always knew I had an issue with pacing myself outside, the treadmill normally handles this for us so no need to worry about it until we want to run outside.

Running outside is different to running on the treadmill, you use more muscles to start with, so you need to be mindful of that when stretching and warming up/down.

I have tried a couple of times, one time I ran 1.5 miles in 18 minutes but nearly died in the process!

Recently, my wife decided to do C25K and she's asthmatic so she's been doing a mixture of indoor and outdoor runs, so I've been tagging along on the outdoor ones and letting her set the pace, its slow but it helped greatly.

I went out on my own on Tuesday, did 2 miles in 28.5 minutes, was happy at that as I could talk while jogging along, yes I did talk to myself, it took 5 runs and alerts on my Garmin to warn me when I was going too fast but it is doable.

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Go out for a few runs and see how you feel, then you can decide if it's for you or not.

[Granspeed Graduate10]

Loads of good tips here from people who’ve made the transition. I would only add a thought about choosing the outdoor surface you start on. Tarmac is good for smooth surface but full of impact. Grass is a softer landing but can be uneven and - this time of year especially - there’s the dreaded slippery mud. Park pathways can be a good starting route, generally safely away from traffic. And I have a local sports field with nice, short, unmuddy grass but have to remember to avoid Saturday when the football competition is a bit hectic! 😄 Only you can think about your local options - all part of the fun! But surface and surroundings are a big part of the outdoor experience. Have fun discovering your preferences. 👍😄

[Twigmango 60minGraduate]

Thank you to all of you who replied this morning. The advice is brilliant & I agree IrvingWashington that a ParkRun would be a great first step. I feel confident enough too to do it now! Yes LeeU the treadmill certainly easier on determining our pace! SquashedPotato are you now an outdoor runner? Granspeed I have a park pathway in mind for run no.1!

Thanks again all!👍😁

[SquashedPotato Graduate10]

Hi yes I do run outdoors, when weather & time permit but am also still using the treadmill when I can’t get outside. Think I’ll probably be using the treadmill more through the winter. Happy running 🏃‍♀️ & keep going - we can do this 😊