I'm new to c25k

[Franglaise]

Hi all. I am so glad I found this site, it is so useful, friendly and supportive, not to mention motivating.

I am looking for advice on transition from a treadmill to running outside. I have this morning done w3r1. The frustrating part is that I am able to run 30 mins on a treadmill and have been doing since Christmas. It just hasn't transferred to running outside. It is like I am starting from scratch.

I know my BIG mistake was not running on a gradient.

I will persevere as I am enjoying the fresh air and scenery, not so much the hills (midi Pyrenees)

The other thing that makes the comfort zone of the treadmill tempting is the huge snake that crossed in front of me on Fridays run.

I don't think there is much you can advise on the snakes, but hopefully there is advice on transition from treadmill to outside...or is it to just get on with it?x

[Buddy34 Graduate]

When running outside you are in charge of your pace so just go slow it will just take a bit of getting used to . Just think of all the benefits of going outdoors , fresh air, vitamin d, and just enjoying your running 😊

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you, you are completely right. I haven't run outside since I did cross country at school ( a few years ago)

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Welcome to the forum

Learning to pace yourself is the hardest part of being outside. Best to start slowly then if you find yourself struggling go slower! Embrace the inner snail 🐌🐌🐌

I'm going to try the metronome on my phone to see if that helps me 🤷‍♀️.

Whatever you do, enjoy and i hope the snakes stay away for you 😬

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

I think that is the key, relax, enjoy and embrace the inner snail. I adore all wildlife but I am really struggling to learn to love the snakes. They shouldn't even be around yet!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

You didn't make *any* mistake with the incline on the treadmill - setting it to 1% is really only for elite or very fast club runners. For us mere mortals, it's not going to much different.

I did the whole of C25K on a treadmill and then ran outdoors for the 1st time in 20 years. Yes, it felt different, but i got used to it very quickly. The tricky bit is judging your pace (unless you have a GPS running watch) - cos the treadmill tells you what you're doing but you don't have that luxury outside.

As for the differences between outdoors & treadmill.... long list and not as simple as some make out.

Keep at it and you'll be fine.

Good luck!

John

[Franglaise Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thank you...maybe I am being too tough on myself ...I am one if those mere mortals...it's only week 3 and managing the runs so far. Hopefully I will adjust quickly as you did.

[Granspeed Graduate]

Slow may well be the key. I’m a proper tortoise and only beginning to cover a bit more distance in the 30 minutes now that I’ve graduated from the programme. Slow enough to chat as you go works for me; I don’t have your real mountains, but it’s not flat either. 🐢👍

[Franglaise Graduate]

Thank you, I will try your advice. I'm not looking to break any records, just enjoy running and make it a constant part of my life for all the health benefits ...