Treadmill running

[craddockterrie]

Hi. I am an expat living in Saudi Arabia. I am on week 3 (taken me more than 3 weeks to get here) but due to the extreme heat here I do all my running on the treadmill. Does anyone know if that means it's easier and I am not working as hard as I should be? Should I be increasing speed or distance?

[secan Graduate]

Running on a treadmill is less challenging on the physical level but can be harder on the psychological side.

If you want to make your treadmill run closer to the physical exertion required by outdoor running, the rule of thumb is to set the treadmill to 1% incline.

[craddockterrie in reply to secan]

Great thanks for the advice.

I agree that mentally it is a bit challenging/dull.

Am I right in thinking it's easier on my knees though? Or perhaps I'm just getting a bit stronger.

[secan Graduate in reply to craddockterrie]

Yes, running on a treadmill, which has a cushioned even surface, is gentler on your joint and requires a minor effort by your core to maintain the balance. That's why it is less physically demanding.

[craddockterrie]

Thanks again. So good to have this advice.

[AnnieW55]

Welcome. If you have a look around the site you will find lots of posts on treadmill running. There are quite a few people doing the programme on the 'dreadmill'😀 For various reasons. It can be a bit of a marmite subject but don't take any notice of those of us that can't/won't use the machine. A run is a run no matter how you do it. And any run is better than doing nothing at all. So keep going and check in here to let us know how it's going. Also the nine weeks is a guide not a dictat on the length of time to do the programme and for many of us 5k by the end of it (in 30 mins) us a pipe dream.

The biggest thing you will probably have to overcome on the longer runs is boredom so my advice is to get a strategy in place ready to use.

Good Luck

[Moultoneer]

After 4 knee operations I can't run outside, even on grass. Thought I would never run again, but after many years and far too much weight started the programme in the gym "just to see", finished week 5 then had a lay off, now back on week 4. The treadmill is much easier on my knees and the only way for me.