I have just done W3R2 and did it outside for the first time. So far I have only run on a treadmill in the gym. That was so much harder to do! I was really getting out of breath and my feet were hurting, my calves were very stiff at the end. I managed to complete it but really struggled; I was not giving up!
Is this common when switching from treadmill to a field? I also had no idea how fast (or slow!) I was going. I seemed to be going really slow, kind of plodding along.
Now I don't know what to do.. Carry on around the sports fields, where I'm doubting i'll get through it or stick to the treadmill, where I feel like I'm now not really achieving as much or that I'm kind of cheating?
Written by
philevans68
Graduate
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I completed all on a treadmill, with an incline of 1.5. I don't consider that I cheated at all.
I do however expect some initial difficulties when I venture outside at the end of spring and I will be slowing down to accommodate. I also expect to not be able to run as far.
I believe (fingers crossed) that the difficulties will be temporary.
I thinking that if I do it on the treadmill then venture outside after I'll be in a much better position to start running outside; having been working on my fitness on the treadmill? To be fair, what I did outside today I could not have done three weeks ago, so the treadmill must be working. It just really gave me a sense of doubt.
Don't feel that you are cheating by running on the treadmill!! You are running, that's the main thing.
Many forum members complete the whole of C25k on the treadmill, some all outdoors, some a combination. The choice is yours. I've only ever run outdoors, but fellow forum members who have switched from treadmill to outdoors have commented on the same points you mentioned in your post. I don't know if you have run with the recommended incline gradient on your treadmill, but outdoor running is going to throw that in naturally, and it can take some getting used to at first.
Don't worry about pace outdoors. It will vary throughout an outdoor run, unlike the steady pace of the treadmill. Just accept it, keep steady and slow (then slower still if needed) and you will be fine. I prefer running outdoors and love all the variations that I get on my runs. In the end you do what makes you happy - the choice is yours!
Yeah, I have the treadmill set an an incline of 1. Maybe I need to up that a little? I love being outside so really want to get out eventually and do a park run. I'll just keep at it... Not giving up on this!
Running is running, it's definitely not cheating! I've never run on a treadmill but have read comments on here saying that it feels harder running outdoors. Why not try and do a mixture? But if doing it all on the treadmill gives you more confidence, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Go easy on yourself it was your first outdoor run so naturally some changes to be expected, why not give it another go, you might enjoy it the next time more x
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Week One Run Two done on a treadmill!!
Achieved 5K in November, but failed to repeat
Week 5, run 3. Done, sort of!
W3R2
Struggling! 
