The zombies got me........

[Saltdog]

So, it was my first run post C25K today so I thought I'd spice things up a bit and try out the Zombies Run app which has been languishing on my iPhone for too long. Turns out it isn't great for treadmill running!

Basically, you get a notification to say the zombies are chasing you and you need to speed up in order to outrun them. Unfortunately, the app is geared towards GPS tracking. You can choose to have it record steps instead but instead of speeding up the run, you would need to increase the number of your steps. As I found out, when I speed up, my stride increases but my number of steps doesn't really increase so I got caught every time. It's a huge failing in the game I reckon.

Anyway, as I try to discover more ways to enjoy my running, I think I will try the Nike Run Club app next time to see if I get on with that any better. Will save the Zombies until I get home from work and start running outside again.

I was thinking of starting a post discussing how better to enjoy treadmill runs. I know many people on this board describe it as the 'dreadmill' but for some, it's either essential or preferred. I'd like to explore a discussion on tips and tricks for helping pass the time.

Anyway, despite being caught by zombies a couple of times today, I still managed a pretty decent 30 minute run with a couple of speed increases thrown in. I'm going to try a treadmill fartlek on Nike Run Club to try and achieve the same as it really broke up the monotony.

Onwards and upwards!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Good bit of learning there... cadence stays the same, stride length changes... the other way round really hurts!

There’s a similar thing in Nike’s guided 5k run, but they anticipated it... the coach announces the half way point and says if you’re on an out and back it’s time to turn around, then quickly adds “if you’re on a treadmill DO NOT DO THAT”

Get in touch with the developers... they need to be inclusive here... I’ve never tried it, but it sounds a great little thing to liven up a run.

I only call it a dreadmill because I can’t do it btw!

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I just can't help but feel if you try to increase cadence, it's going to feel totally unnatural. Judging by the feedback on the forums dedicated to the app, it seems that many people have tried to contact the developers regarding the issue but none have been successful. The system is based around a 20% increase in pace for 1 minute. In order to get that on a treadmill regarding cadence, the treadmill would have to be moving some!! I think it would result in a 'me' shaped dent in the wall behind the treadmill!! I'd look like I'd been caught by zombies for real!!

So, the Nike Run Club will be my next option to try. It seems there are loads of choices for apps with outdoor running but not as many for treadmill. The Peloton app looks like it would be ideal as it ends up like a spin class for treadmills. There's no way I'm paying a £14.99/month subscription though! One of the beauties of running is that you can do it for relatively no cost once you've bought your trainers.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Saltdog]

Nike have started dropping some treadmill specific runs in and all their others are compatible... obviously I haven’t tried them.

Yep... cadence switching feels quite weird, certainly trying to speed it up, I kind of slow it down as I reduce the stride for a quick deceleration, but that’s not for long at a time... I either stop of return to normal.

£15 a month is steep to say the least... I couldn’t see me paying that for any app.

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I saw the treadmill specific ones indeed. The main draw of the NRC is that I have an Apple Watch and they seem to play very nicely together. If it works well on a treadmill I think it will end up as my 'go to' app for indoor running. The plan at the moment is to use Strava for my outdoor running. I already use it for mountain biking and a few of my friends have started using it for running. My main fear with it is that my friends who are using it are absolutely flying round their runs and once I post my first quick plod, I'm going to feel quite self-conscious about it. Not that I believe any of them will take the mick. It's just my own inferiority demons who would give me pause.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Saltdog]

Yeah... Nike and Strava got a lot of bad press for promoting running fast all the time to beat friends and thus causing injuries... since which time Nike removed all that side of things, but have recently put distance challenges back up. Now my daughter and I can have a 3.11 mile challenge at parkrun set up and as they took the speed bit out, whoever hits start first gets the gold... I’m always deliberately slow on the button! We also have a monthly mileage one where I win as I’m running further than her and it’s all about the start time of the run which completes the challenge.

Nike also tightened the loopholes that let other apps extract run data just in time for the new EU privacy laws in may... I’m not aware of any way to put a Nike run into Strava at present... but both will accept garmin data... maybe there’s a way via the health app, I’ve never tried to do it. There could also be a third party app that both will listen to, but as I know Strava would open up my competitive side I don’t use it.

I run on Nike because they don’t sell my data and they don’t charge for plans... the guided runs are a great bonus. Strava have to do both as it’s their only business, under armour could go the Nike route at some point I think.

[Katnap Graduate]

I didn't know that they could get you! I thought they'd just get close to make you run scared! Try again with another life 😁