Treadmill or road?

Hi, first post so be easy please 😬

I’ve just finished W5r3 at the second attempt. The problem is, i think, is that i’m mixing the treadmill with my road running. The first 2 weeks were on the treadmill, and the first attempt of my 20 min run was on the road, which i found just too hard, breathing problems. But 2 days later i did it! But back on the treadmill 😐.

Does anyone else mix road and treadmill? And do they find the road alot harder? Thanks.

[YouCanDoItMan Graduate]

My first run on the treadmill was w5r3. I felt as if I needed to do this in order to control my pace. I did it, and was pleased but vowed not to go back to the treadmill for the rest of the programme.

Tonight I am doing my first 25-minuter, on the road. Needless to say I am nervous, especially as I still don't think I have my breathing right yet, and I think my pace will be much harder to manage (I tend to overdo the first few minutes). But I'm excited too, as if I can do it, I will feel more confident about the rest of the programme and what is beyond.

Good luck with W6!

[Wimborne]

For me it doesn’t matter how you choose to run. What’s important is that you choose what’s right for you. Transitioning between road and treadmill can be tricky ( well for me it was) as the running motion is different. I find road easier than treadmill so we are all different. Go with what you feel comfortable will. You can always transition once you’ve completed the programme. There’s no rush. Happy running and enjoy. And if you do try the roads again then really slow it down and I mean slow it down to find your pace and breathing. Good Luck.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and includes advice to use a gradient on your dreadmill.

Enjoy your journey

[Makka62a Graduate]

I mix them up. I did everything up to week six on a treadmill then hit the road. Road is definitely harder due to natural undulations and pavement making the foot strike harder. And then there is wind!

I also feel like I am running slower outside but my trackers tell me I am actually running faster which I find strange.

So you put an incline on the treadmill? 1 to 2% helps to make it more road like. Persevere with the outside as I now find it much nicer

[Hidden]

Thanks for the replies. I feel now that using the treadmill is cheating a bit. It’s so much easier that road running. I completed W5r3 fairly easy on the treamill, but it caused me real problems on the road.

I will definitely be inclining in W6, and maybe slow down my road runs. Still loving it though!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Not cheating at all...just a different way of running Many folk on the forums complete the C25K on a treadmill..through choice or necessity

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

It is very, different.. IannodaTruffe has given you the links... and just try to remember when you head outside again... take it gently...

This is a useful article..it applies to men and women

womensrunning.com/2015/03/t...