Treadmill running

[naturalutopia]

Is anyone else doing this solely on a treadmill? I’ve been alerted to the joys of outdoor running, but I just like to be completely sure of my actual pace, to make sure it’s constant and I’m not slacking off on tired days, or whenever. I just think I may be going too fast as I’m one run off wk5R3 and that is terrifying, but not as terrifying as doing it out in the real world 😂. If anyone does treadmill runs, what speed are you doing? And just a hello of solidarity would be greatly appreciated right now ☺️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and gives advice on pace, which is nothing to do with numbers but with your ability to speak clearly and ungaspingly as you run. It will be different for each runner.

Enjoy your journey.

[naturalutopia]

Thanks. I think my issue is probably more mental than physical. Growing up I was the “last picked for sports” type, and every week, I’m shocked at what I can do without instant death. However, week five run two looks like it’ll be the ghost of my old PE teacher come to drag my soul to hell 😂. I can just about credit myself with eight minutes tomorrow, but twenty seems like something little 15 year old me could never have even dreamt of in her wildest all that time ago

[Pianism Graduate in reply to naturalutopia]

I felt exactly the same as this (I was in fact talking about my high school sports "teacher" this week). I worried all night. I felt like I'd only just managed the 8 minutes and there was no way I'd be able to step it up.

What everyone says is true - it's more.psychological than physical. By now the programme has prepared your body to run 20 minutes no problem. The 20 minute is more about proving that to your brain!

All the very best of luck with it. And do your best to ensure that if you don't quite manage it, it's because of your body rather than your brain.

[Islerunner in reply to Pianism]

I’ll second that! No idea how I did the 20 mins. I was dreading it, but somehow it happened.

[sofiaO Graduate]

Welcome. I just graduated after completing whole program on the treadmill. I flipping love my treadmill! I bought one so don't have to go to the gym and can literally hop on in my pj's whenever the mood takes me!

Don't worry too much about speed, just run at a pace comfortable for you. I am super slow but I find I get the most benefits that way rather than pushing myself too hard. I started the program on 5mph but by week 9 I was running 4.3 mph which I now realise is the ideal pace for me.

Good luck with your journey!

[naturalutopia in reply to sofiaO]

Thank you 🙏. Congratulations to you! Thanks for your inspiration ☺️

[naturalutopia in reply to sofiaO]

Also, treadmills, Ace ☺️. May I ask which one you bought? I may be in the market for one myself 😂

[sofiaO Graduate in reply to naturalutopia]

I bought the Reebok One GT40S from Argos (currently on sale!) It's excellent and literally changed my life. I don't think I'd have the motivation to run otherwise 😂

[naturalutopia in reply to sofiaO]

Well just remember this - you may have changed another 😁

[sofiaO Graduate in reply to naturalutopia]

I'll be looking out for your graduation post soon!

[naturalutopia in reply to sofiaO]

I so needed this, you genuine legend 😆

[sofiaO Graduate in reply to naturalutopia]

🤗

[Bobbydazzle Graduate in reply to naturalutopia]

I bought one of local selling site! Not sure of make off top of my head but it was half price of same model in shops and had hardly been used

[Etrain Graduate]

I’ve been doing c25k solely on treadmill. I’ve never been athletic & while I have to push myself, the pace is perfect. I’m on week 9 day 1 next, but have already been running that long & some. I’ve run every other day since starting. I’m going to hit a park after the week 9 is complete, and I have a 5k in April I’ve registered for with others.

[naturalutopia in reply to Etrain]

Congratulations! You are an inspiration! I’m so glad I’m not alone and I can follow in your footsteps. You should be so proud. Who’d have thought we’d be where we are now, eh?

[flurokitty]

This is your hello of solidarity

I am doing is solely on the treadmill and I just completed the week 5 run three today, I am going super slowly and only running at about 2.7K in the 30 minutes but I managed to get through the 20 minutes without stopping which is something I never though I would do in my wildest dreams. My goal is not to be fast, I am extremely overweight and have never run in my life so just keeping going felt so amazing.

I think I will complete the program on the treadmill, then try to run at an incline and increase my speed slowly before I head outside.

You can do WK5R3!!!! Good luck

[Etrain Graduate]

I am very proud, as I’ve never done anything athletic & am 30lb over weight, but was 50lb over when I started. I remember thinking I couldn’t make it thru the 90 second runs, now I can do 35 minutes. Takes another 5 min of walking to hit 3.1 miles:). But yes, it works and what’s more is I love it! Especially after running!! So keep it up!

[Chester01 Graduate]

I’m a treadmill runner too, but once I feel more confident and nights are lighter I plan to get outside. I’m walking at 5,8-6k and running at around 7.4-7.8k however if it’s too much at any point i’d Have no hesitation in knocking the pace back and for each step up to the next level I do that. Speed comes in time. Just started PT sessions and she’s getting me doing a bit of interval training which will apparently help build my speed over time but don’t push it. First time i’ve Stuck to the plan and the tips on this forum have helped me massively!

[Suect21]

I started outside but it got so cold, i ordered treadmill from ARGOS the OPTI model, my warmdown speed is 36/37 n running slowly at

48, that way my kegs dint hurt too much

Good luck with your challenge, im on week2 but due to personal reasons ive not run for a week, but monday will start me to complete wk2 n move on

You can do this quest however best it suits you 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌👍

[hallamfatty Graduate]

Hi, I do all my running on a treadmill. My hubby is a serious runner and my son is an even better athlete and for Christmas 2017 hubby bought the family a treadmill. But hubby and son prefer to run outside or at the track, so the main user of the treadmill is me! I like it because I can run at home, no-one to see my blubbering my way along. I started at 5.0 km/hr but I did the Couch 2 5K and now I run at 6.5km/hr. I have finally reached 5K but it takes me 46 minutes to do it (my son does it in half the time and laughs at me - his PB is 20:41).

[Minstrel38]

I’m using a treadmill which suits me fine, I use my no 6 setting for the brisk walk and no 8 for the jogging, I used the treadmill everyday anyway but since downloading the couch to 5k it gives me something to aim towards - instead of just thinking oh I have to do the treadmill today!

[Nonnie83]

I am doing the runs only on a treadmill. Like you, it helps me make sure my pace is steady. I am older, with many health issues. I run VERY SLOWLY. I won't embarrass myself by telling you how slowly except to say that I can walk faster than I run.

[Minstrel38 in reply to Nonnie83]

Nothing wrong with walking fast than running! I feel more in control when I fast walk anyway! At the end of the day ur getting on there and doing it! 👏🏻

[Lesley2606]

I’m using the treadmill too. My walking speed is around 37/38kph and my jogging is 42 kph. Also have the incline at 1% as that would be the same as if you were on the road 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Lesley2606]

Do you really mean...42 kph????? That is running at above and beyond elite athlete speed...!

That would mean to run 5K...would take just over 8 minutes???

I have been running for over three years and although I run faster on my treadmill, than outdoors... cannot conceive of running at that speed???

[John_W Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I think a "." was missing there (3.7kph, and 4.2 kph)! Otherwise we have a super-human in our midst! An 8 minute 5k is 4 minutes faster than the world record

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to John_W]

I did think that..😉 Just mentioning it tactfully...I have faffed about so much on mine this morning...icy pavements...that I think I have a record...for the slowest...3K🤣

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome and well done...please do follow the link from IannodaTruffe ...

Many folk have followed the plan using a treadmill either from choice or necessity

Many use a treadmill to supplement outdoor running, or after injury or because of the UK weather ( me included, as I will not run on ice!)

I have just bought a new one in the sales

We have friends on the forum who run in climates where outside running is nigh impossible and they are awesome runners!

So...you run this and you run it for you... when you have completed it, then you may feel that you wish to experience the great outdoors... for me, it is part of my running... my runs and how I remember and write about them afterwards The changing seasons, the changing weather and all that goes with that

Just take it slow and steady and enjoy.. and do, please post your runs

PS

My new treadmill is a JTX Slimline Compact...

[Makka62a Graduate]

I’ve done 20 of my 22 programme runs on a treadmill and I’ve found running outside is very different.

Firstly I found that I run faster outside than I dare to do on a treadmill. Running at a constant pace is a bit unnatural

[Makka62a Graduate]

Sorry pressed the reply button accidentally! So to continue

Running at a constant pace is a bit unnatural is your pace varies as the terrain changes and your body goes through changes as you run. I know I tend to get a bit faster then slower as I tire.

I’ve found it’s good just to listen to your body and let it dictate pace and it’s easy to track your pace with a device. I use a Fitbit and the Nike app on my phone as I like to compare.

I was unsure about the outside but tbh I’ve enjoyed it. W7R3 tonight and it will be outside 😀

Good luck to you and just enjoy your running whatever and however you do it!

[naturalutopia]

Thanks for all of your messages! They’ve been just what I needed to wake up to this morning and face the day head on 😁 week 5 run 2, bring it on!!! 😂

[LEFe]

I am just treadmill running - I love being outdoors, but at this time of year, I’d need trail shoes (live out in the sticks) and all sorts, so I went with a gym membership. I stuck for AGES on week 5 run 2 trying to pluck up the courage to move on. It was over Christmas & various illnesses too. Then I did it and LOVED it. Just go really, really slow. I ran it at about 7.2-7.5kmph. Speed can come later - the mental hurdle is over & now I’ve finished week 6 & looking forward to the longer runs!

[rmknight Graduate]

I like other at the moment just run solely on a treadmill. I completed my 3rd week 9 run this morning and feeling pretty please with myself. I took it slow running most weeks twice to build up my strength as I didn't believe I could do it being over weight even though I am losing weight.

Now the days are getting light and warmer I do hope to move outside as I am doing a 5k run in June

[Steveheidi]

I'm running it on the tread mill aswell but wk2r1 I felt my left knee go, so I'm resting it. Anyway well done

[naturalutopia in reply to Steveheidi]

Sorry to hear that! Hope it feels better soon. I got really bad shins and hips at the end of week 2, but I was running it everyday and sometimes twice in a day so it was my own fault that time 😂 rested up for just over a week and I was fine and right back at it! You will do it too ☺️

[Steveheidi in reply to naturalutopia]

Trouble is I don't want to stop and finding it annoying that I have to rest

[naturalutopia in reply to Steveheidi]

I was climbing up the walls! 😂

[Banksy23 Graduate]

Hi, I completed all my runs on the treadmill, I tried going outside and it is completely different running in the outside world. If you can I would try and mix it up a bit. It's more enjoyable!! Good luck

[johnt46 Graduate]

Hi I do both, bought the treadmill after suffering injuries, pulled muscles etc., then having to hobble back home!😂 Living in the sticks, our roads don't get gritted, and having a balance problem doesn't help on icy surfaces either. It comes in useful with the dark mornings and evenings too as I find it difficult to maintain balance in low lit areas. I also use it for interval type running, and vary the incline from 1% to 5% to imitate "hills". I'm doing most at the moment outside and really enjoying it, but living in a rural environment means I'm into country side within 1/4 -1/2 mile, and that makes a difference🤗 Enjoy it, it doesn't matter where and how, take notice of all the advice on here, and keep it up, I will look out for you on the podium!🎖

[Horse5]

I run mostly on my treadmill as have child to in bed when I have time to run. You are still doing well and working the same. I aim to make it go faster and then increase incline. I am lucky that my treadmill is in my lounge xx

[naturalutopia]

Update: just smashed w5r2 and I’m pretty sure that’s down to you lovely lot and your kind words so ta muchly ☺️

[JulieF19 Graduate]

I have done all but the first week on a treadmill. I live in the sticks and it’s pitch black when I have time to run (no street lighting here!) so I wouldn’t get to do it otherwise.

I walk at between 3-3.5mph and run at about 4.5mph.

I do like the consistency of a treadmill but find I’m now worried about running outside in case I go too fast/uphill etc and can’t run for the same distances (I’m on week 6 run 3 do just about to do a 25 min run eek!!)

[naturalutopia in reply to JulieF19]

That’s what I worry about too! But it’s all building up fitness either way! If I can do 5k inside, I can probably do 3k outside 😂. Good luck! You’ll smash it 😄

[NannaTracy]

Hi I started yesterday and have just done r2 on my treadmill. When I get better I will run outside 😄

[Kimyeo Graduate]

Hi

I graduated with outside running, last summer, picking the cooler times of day. I just did a 30 this morning in the most beautiful crisp frosty, sunny, misty conditions. Lucky to have fields and riverside runs by me, however... I bought a machine for the lousy winter nights when motivation could be challenged. At the end of the day its your preference, as long as you do it. I think there is a difference inside and out, but does it matter? you are doing it either way, I just happen to prefer outside if I can, (so does the dog!)

Its not about the pace, I am a shuffler at 63 with 2 new hips, but it feels great when you get to the end of your run, inside or out.. Grind on..

[bessie37]

Hello! Yes I’m a treadmill bunny! I am hopeless at motivating myself to go outdoors but find it doable in my conservatory. I like the data too! W5r1 next run. Who would have thought this overweight, unfit grandmother of 66 could do this. Great programme! Well done you. We can do this!

My treadmill is old - like me 🤣🤣. I run and walk at 3.4. It works for my short legs! I’m in miles not kms and each run covers around 1.75 miles.

#thisgirlcan

[naturalutopia in reply to bessie37]

Yes We Can! 😂 you go girl! ☺️

[Laurzmum Graduate]

I’m the same as you - treadmill only and about to start w5. I was told by a pretty at the gym tho that you should run outside as it’s 8x more impact in your knees on the treadmill as opposed to outside !

[bessie37 in reply to Laurzmum]

Surely not!

I thought it was kinder to knees etc on the treadmill.

Running w5r1 on Sunday.

Today I did w4r3 a 3 mile walk in the sunshine and slow flow yoga tonight! Don’t recognise me tbh! Feeling energised.

[Bobbydazzle Graduate]

Hi I'm also doing this on treadmill and I'm on w8r1 tomorrow! I love the way i can control speed on treadmill! I've working my way up to 8.5 kms on jog and 10kms on Sprint! Gonna start running outside at weekends once weather improves

[bessie37 in reply to Bobbydazzle]

Wow speedy! I might give it a go outside. I started on my local school running track at crazy o’clock so no one would see me. I don’t care so much now I’ve got 5 mins under my belt! I’ve just done a nice 3 mile riverside walk to suss it out for running. Bit for now my treadmill is my friend!

Good luck w8 wow!!!!!