Treadmill

[Adavies_]

Hi all this may seem like a silly question but I am a complete beginner. I have just completed wk1 (yay). My first day was tough, second day I did on the treadmill in work which I found much better, went out this morning full of confidence but again it felt tough, better than my first day but not as pleasant as my second day on the treadmill. Am

I getting less of a workout on the treadmill?

I work long hours as a nurse and about 50% of my runs will be on the treadmill. Thank you in advance

[Davo123 Graduate]

Hi AD.... great surname btw.

No such thing as a silly question in this forum. Great work on completing Week 1.

I did the full 9 weeks on a treadmill and graduated 3 weeks ago. Today, I did only my second 5k+ outdoors run and yes, I find it quite a bit more difficult than on a treadmill. Due to my working hours/time constraints I can only do 1 outdoors run per week and will continue using the treadmill for the other 2. I do enjoy it more outdoors as the longer runs on the treadmill can be a bit monotonous.

Keep doing what suits you and don't give up. that 5k accomplishment is a great feeling, so keeping looking towards that goal, however you achieve it.

[FatterPenguin Graduate]

Congratulations on completing week 1, which I still look back on as my hardest week of this programme. Many years ago I used to run on a treadmill and then when I ran outside I found it much harder. I seem to remember reading somewhere that if you use a treadmill to set it at a slight incline, which might help a bit with the transition.

[Adavies_]

Thank you for your replies that’s really helpful.

I’ll try the incline setting.

I have always wanted to be able to run but put it off, I am enjoying the programme and I’m looking forward to being able to complete a full run (without puffing and panting!!) that’s the other thing bothering me I feel like my breathing is out of control during the runs the more I try to control it the worse it seems to get, do you have any tips for that?

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Adavies_]

The only way to sort your breathing is slowing down. It really does help 😊

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Treadmill running may be different from outdoors but as long as you're completing each run to the end that's all thats asked of you. Well done 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome and well done.

Physically, running is running... the treadmill and the outdoors will both develop your muscles well and give you a good cardio workout. Outdoors can feel difficult because you have the added complication of controlling your pace... keep it right down so you can talk as you run. Personally, I can’t run in a treadmill for more than 5 minutes!

Enjoy your journey, you can do this.

[AdverseTangent]

I started outdoors and immediately gave up. It wasn’t for me (although I was completely unprepared, not dressed for it etc). Didn’t revisit for a couple of years.

Now I’m seven weeks into the programme all on the treadmill which I really enjoy. The treadmill has the benefit of being able to control your pace as you like and you aren’t exposed to the elements/traffic/dogs. The treadmill gives me the discipline to do it and I use the programme to avoid boredom. I do a very slight incline and I like the fact I don't have to worry about it changing. I may run outside when I’ve graduated.

[islandrunner Graduate]

Hi,

This is my second time around with C25K, completing it originally in 2015, and running for a couple of years, then stopping, all running outside.

This time around, I did weeks 1 to 6 on a treadmill (no incline), then switched to outside (did W5R3 & W6R3 outside). Have to say, don't think there's much of difference at all.

Is a treadmill easier than running outside ? I don't think so. I switched to outside running, because on the treadmill I argued constantly with myself about the pace, and I got fed up listening to myself. So for the longer runs, doing them outside means I just run rather than obssessing about what the pace is.

[AdverseTangent in reply to islandrunner]

I'm lucky - I set a pace and leave it. My treadmill doesn't display it unless I set it to. I am a bit obsessed with that calorie counter on it though! It's motivated me around eating better, seeing how much work you have to do to burn calories.