Do you run outside or on a treadmill?

[leopardstars]

I have only ever run outside in my local park, but I haven't had to face the rain or cold nights of autumn yet

[NineChooks Graduate]

I'm an outdoor girl- I don't mind the rain or cold but it's the early dark evenings that I hate- I've already made a winter running plan so I can get three daylight runs in

[Pat184 Graduate]

Outside early mornings, the right gear, a buff is a must when really cold, I put it round my mouth to stop the cold in my lungs as I breathe. Tried the treadmill when it snowed but didn't like it, much prefer the great outdoors. Happy running. Pat

[Ryansson Graduate]

Although it would be tempting to join a gym and run in the warmth whilst looking out at the cold and bluster on them days or an air conditioned gym avoiding the sweltering heat as of late, I must admit outdoor running to me feels more like real running.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I'm an outside runner too, running is meant to be done out in the open air (in my opinion). I only take to the gym dreadmill if a) its solid ice on the pavements in the winter months b) on holiday and there is no safe running areas and the hotel has a gym (only happened twice though).

[Be11adonna Graduate]

I run outside. Before I started C25K I used to run inside at the gym as part of my cardio workout (only for 10 minutes though). So because I had already done a bit of running inside, I (naively) thought that running outside would be easy. Not! For me running outside is much more difficult and, as Ryansson says, more like the real deal. If I do have to run inside this winter I will set the treadmill at a 1% incline as I've read that this is a better way of simulating outside running.

[Mitts Graduate]

Okay, I'm outing myself as a total wimp now - when it's too hot, too cold or too wet I head straight for the gym! I love running outside but I love my treadmill too. There are very different advantages and disadvantages to each. Have a go on a treadmill and see how you get on.

[Appleanday Graduate]

I do both. I try to run outside twice a week, but must admit that on a Friday morning I take to the treadmill. I agree that running on a treadmill is easier that running outside and so I manage to do more.

[achydunlin]

I run outside - but I'm lucky as I live in a rural area and the roads are pretty quiet - I actually like going up and down the kerbs, crossing roads etc - it makes it more interesting. I did do one run on a treadmill - in a hotel gym while on holiday - and hated every minute - it seemed hotter, stuffier and although I could regulate my pace (it was week 6 run 3), I ran much slower than I usually do.

[cFinn]

I've started off running on a treadmill, as I have asthma etc, I wasn't sure how I'd do on the c25k programme and there was a bit of a security blanket of knowing there was staff around should something happen, plus it's a bit more secure than running in a park in the evening on your own. I do tend to vary the speed and incline during the runs so i'm not just running flat.

I'm doing great and motoring into wk7 with no issues so I'm considering mixing in my local park run for my weekend run. That way it's during the day and I'm not on my own. I'll definitley find that much harder, but i found wk1 hard 6 weeks ago and now i'm running 25min intervals so might as well give it a shot!