Dreadmill advice

[sHAYM4N]

Good morning!

Trying not to get too giddy being still at week 8, but trying to plan a bit for post CT5K if I'm graced enough to graduate next week.

I plan on running afterwards to consolidate for 3 weeks and try to get to the golden 5K target. December 2nd I'll be heading off to Mexico for a much needed 2 week holiday, and so excited to be running out there too. Will be back for christmas but just a bit worried that the weather & festive spirits may then hamper any momentum I may still have going.

So was wondering about a treadmill for when the weather just won't allow it, will most likely be second hand and have seen quite a few on facebook marketplace / shpock etc that are at a good price. Have never run on one before so really not sure what to look out for, we have a spare room upstairs I could use it in or downstairs if it ends up being too noisy (Do they take a lot of the impact or will it sound like a herd of wilderbeasts have invaded our home? 😊)

Not sure what else to check for, best brands etc, though see some can't be set at an angle for resistance so that would probably be a must.

Thanks for any advice!

[MDaw35 Graduate]

I feel the same as you, I'm so excited to graduate next week and plan on continuing with 3 runs a week. I'm hoping to brave the weather as I don't have room for a treadmill but if that's not possible then my sister has one that I could go round and use. I sound like a baby elephant when I walk so you can bet that I'll sound like a herd of elephants when I run on the treadmill Ha ha

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to MDaw35]

Yep getting addictive isn't it? 😊 I'd just hate to graduate too and then not keep it up as well. I know sometimes injury or illness will enforce a break, but I just know if I didnt find away around the snow/ice problem, we'd probably have the worst winter ever 😂 No doubt if I got a treadmill, it'll be glorious and it'll be sat in the garage. So maybe worthwhile as an insurance policy Hah!

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Been there, done it, waste of money IMHO. it just turned into a glorified clothes horse!

My OH bought a gym quality one as he was too heavy for the domestic ones so it was a very expensive waste of money.....

Are you near a gym? would they allow you a day pass rather than having to sign up for a year? At least then if the weather is ok you run outside if its rubbish pop down to the gym?

It would also give you the opportunity to see if you like running on a treadmill. Many dont and find it incredibly boring.

Enjoy Mexico it sounds great

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

Hah yep, guess that's why there are so many for sale too! I don't intend to use it a lot to be honest anyway, only when the snow or ice makes it way too dangerous to run outdoors. We have a garage where I would probably store it when I wasnt using it. Some are at £40-50 though would probably go up to £100ish for a second hand one so it's not a massive investment or loss and if it doesn't work out would sell it on again. We have a few gyms close by but I think I would be even less motivated by that for some reason, even if they did a day pass.

[IgaT Graduate]

I have no idea about treadmills, but I am surprised how similar our plans are. I want about 2 weks of consolidation runs. 2nd Dec I am off for couple of days to Poland followed by almost 3 weks of holidays in Costa Rica - so close to you

You made me laugh with the herd of wilderbeasts ;D

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to IgaT]

Oh wow that is strange! Definitely a nice reward for the running & graft over the year Hah love going away this time of year to be honest, really splits up the winter. I like Christmas but hate the overlong run up to it, so really looking forward to it. We used to go away pretty much every december and september, but due to a house move, and family in hospital we haven't been away now since March '17 so feels like it's been a real long slog! You planning to run in Costa Rica? If so look forward to hearing about it 😊

[IgaT Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

My last holidays were in Novembers last year. You have 1.5 year - that's a damn long! You deserved the good rest and relax. I hope the family is all good now.

I plan to run both in Poland and Costa Rica. I hope I will do it. It is another adventure and challenge for me!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Embrace the winter! Don’t get a dreadmill 💤😂

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

If I do, I hope I'll never have to use it, winter is fine, but running on snow and ice? Don't really fancy that to be honest 😂

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

Snow is fine. Ice can be dodgy. I’m getting ice grips this year 👌🏽

[Whatsapp Graduate]

I never though I would run in the winter - cold and dark. Actually I found keeping up a running plan over Christmas when others are eating and drinking to excess to be quite liberating. I went into the spring the fittest I had been in my life. The cold is not really a problem as once you start running you soon warm up.

Over Christmas its nice to have a good reason to get out and run round the neighbourhood enjoying the Christmas lights.

You can do the treadmill of course, but its harder to get motivated running on the spot. Also it takes up a great deal of room, and unless you buy a good quality one, you will get frustrated with it quickly.

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Whatsapp]

Many thanks for that, it's not so much the cold, - I'll still be out in it everyday with my dog, and running outside whenever I can, but its more the snow and ice! We had a lot last year and it wasn't like a week or so and it was gone - it was 2 -3 coatings a week for about 2 months. Could be lucky and it maybe a bland winter again, but warnings are we're in for pretty much the same again 😮

[Hidden in reply to sHAYM4N]

How many weeks ice and snow are likely? One or two max in an average year. I don’t know how much time you usually spend out doors but you will be surprised at how little days are totally ruled out.

If you are not convinced, have a look at our American and Canadian comrades ( like @runswithdogs @irishjohn or @decker and many others) to see what a REAL winter looks like!

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It was bad here in west yorks, going by last year I would say 6-8 weeks we suffered badly with the snow & ice. I was out in it daily walking the dog & the gritters just couldn't keep up with it. Not comparing it to Canada or America, but I feel they are always much better prepared for it anyway. It was a really strange winter - 2 days of snow, 1 day thawed or compacted back to ice, then another 2 + ice every morning. Spiked hiking boots were a godsend but there was no way I would attempt to run on it. Hopefully it won't happen again like that, but only takes one patch of black ice and I could be out for weeks if not months, so just thinking ahead really.

[Hidden in reply to sHAYM4N]

Hmm

I’m in North Yorkshire and kept up running without too many problems....

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Hidden]

well will probably see how it goes, last winter was one on its own - think it was because of the pattern of days it snowed, but it just compacted into ice around here that took weeks to shift. You're probably right and will be fine, so will just hold fire and keep running Much better outdoors anyway

[Katnap Graduate]

Hi sHAYMAN! I think gym membership is cheaper.

But you still have to get out to get to the gym....

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Katnap]

Hey Katnap, hah yeah and I think that's where my motivation would take a dip. Not a fan of gyms at all so it would probably be a waste. Was only thinking of getting something second hand and cheap but will hold on and just hope this winter is better than last

[Katnap Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

I have a sort of pay-as-you-go membership with 'everyone active'.

Haven't been for 3 months and hasn't cost a penny. 😸

[linda9389 Graduate]

I bought a secondhand one last winter. I used it solidly while I recovered from a hip problem - if I ran outside it flared up, on the treadmill it was Ok. I hated every minute of it but it definitely served a purpose. I have never been to a gym - souns way too public for me! I will probably use the treadmill for the odd midweek 5k this winter to avoid the dark. It is deadly boring. My main bit of advice would be to get as big a deck as you can. Don't be constricted by something smaller, especially as it sounds like you have the space.