Cheating??

[kazzy40]

Am I cheating doing this plan on a treadmill? Be honest peeps. I know I will struggle at the end when I venture outdoors on natural terrain I am not in denial of that but I have to do this on a treadmill due to being tied to the house with children.

[Shivani05 Graduate]

Absolutely not! Due to weather conditions where I live, I run solely on the treadmill. I've completed the program twice on it. It's different from running outdoors, but it's not cheating. Any run is better than none.

[Runninginsingapore]

You are definitely not cheating. Running is running! Well done for doing the programme!

[vincent30 Graduate]

Not cheating at all. Lots of people do C25K on a treadmill. If you want to simulate the greater intensity of running outside it's recommended to set your treadmill at a 1-2% incline. Good luck.

[mrrun Graduate]

Nope. No cheating. Do your thing. I mean, it's much nicer outside where the air is better and there is no annoying music, tv screens and other people, but running is running. Ok, ok, I would not run inside no matter what hale storm is waiting outside but that's just me. The important thing is - running. I mean, outside is better but still. This is all about running.

[Hidden in reply to mrrun]

Ha ha! I'm getting the feeling you like running outside- can't think what gave it away 🤔. It's funny isn't it that I love the gym - I found it more frustrating outside with family groups & dog walkers thinking they owned the park! As others have said though - it's horses for courses.

[Hidden]

I've seen this question on here quite a lot and it's one that I asked myself when I first joined. I'm doing all of mine on a treadmill with no plans to go outside yet. I have run outside but got really frustrated with family groups & dog walkers. I enjoy the gym. It's not for everyone I know but in my opinion it's worth doing what you enjoy otherwise you won't do it. I am unable to run outside in hot weather anyway due to a medical condition so now we're coming to that time of year (you never know - we might see the sun 😉) I'm definitely not going outside. As others have said - running is running. Good luck.

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Not cheating at all! You are still running. I actually think it is harder on a treadmill (mentally harder), as you don't have as many distractions as running outdoors – and distractions can help if you are finding a run hard. So, in short, I bet you have more mental stamina than I do!

[HoagyM Graduate]

Not cheating at all, all my runs to date have been on the treadmill, and I’m on week 6 now.

I normally have mine set to a 5 degree incline, on the basis that I should then find outside running a bit easier. We’ll see - am planning to do my first run outdoors later this week.