W1R1 treadmill or road?

[Marmight]

Today I’ve done W1R1 (learning the lingo) I did it in a gym on a treadmill over my lunch so it suits my lifestyle. What’s everyone’s preference treadmill or road and reasons?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

I prefer to run trails and often have to link them with road running, simply because it is more fun.

My low boredom threshold would prevent me from completing C25K on a dreadmill.

Each to their own.

Enjoy your journey.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I've always ran outside so I can't compare it to the treadmill. Outside you've got fresh air something different to look at every run by changing routes . I love just being outside 😊

[Tasha99 Graduate]

The treadmill is boring and I always get very sweaty on them!

[Granspeed Graduate]

I too enjoy running outside and need the stimulation of varied routes. But then, I don’t have access to a treadmill anyway, and I’m retired. 😊 If a treadmill gets you going and fits your life, go for it! Much, much better than the couch. 👍👏🏼 As you get fitter and have longer runs, you might be able to do some outside even if not all. See how it goes would be my advice.

And welcome to the forum. Enjoy your runs, wherever they are. 🎉

[Fit-by-50]

Well done, Ihope it went well. I've just done W1R2. I'm definitely a road/park runner as I get bored really quickly on a treadmill and struggle to keep going. (I use the word runner very loosely!)

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I've been on a treadmill once and it was once too often. They are a necessary evil as there are always situations where people can't leave the house, the climate/pollution/crime levels or perhaps even some very specific health issues make running outdoors unsuitable... or who wouldn't otherwise try this sort of exercise.

One of my big motivations for running was a tiny bit of envy as I dropped my brother off to run a particular loop taking in two Peak District edges with glorious views (And yes I have run that route a couple of times after which I was elated, and walked it once, after which I was very ill indeed, go figure. So fresh air, sights, sounds, smells, the variation in surface... and the Vitamin D!

*the treadmill was for gait analysis after which I was fitted with the worst pair of running shoes I have ever had and that includes the walking boots I started in and the sandals I still run in in this heat...my knees knocked together and I struggled to stay upright outside.

[Cath400 Graduate]

I am on Week 8, Run2 so that's 28 minutes straight running. I have done it all on a treadmill up until today. I do it mega early morning (6am} at a gym 10 mins from where I work. I drive a 45 minute commute first so running outside near home then heading to work wouldn't be possible as traffic builds up too much. I am off this week and tried running outside, it is harder as uneven ground etc and have to self regulate your pace. I plan to do a combination of both moving forward as that will enable me to keep running.

It is worth setting your incline level on the treadmill to 1/1.5 from the start as that mimics running on the flat outdoors so will help the transition if you decide to start running outside

[Marmight in reply to Cath400]

That’s great advise thank you. I live and work in a very busy built up congested area but do want to try an outside run at some point in the future

[steviej99 Graduate]

I started in the gym on a treadmill because it is light and warm in the winter. Now I love running outside and outside is harder when you start but when you get used to the variables I think it's easier! So I think there is a place for both and agree that setting the incline at 1 or 1.5 is more comparable to running outside. Good luck and enjoy your running

[Veganlynz Graduate]

Everyone is so down on treadmills here 🤣 I love em!! WhCk mi headphones on and start running 30 mins seems a a definite maybe with no tripping hazards d chickens staring fights perfect for a beginner

[Kess13 Graduate]

I did C25K on a treadmill and still run on one. I do plan to make the move outside eventually but this fits in well with my lifestyle at the moment.

[kirble Graduate]

I’ve ran both treadmill and outside - currently outside and love it. I did find the treadmill my choice at the beginning as didn’t feel ready to face the world, plus the weather put me off going out early in the year. It was much more boring though (for me) even if listening to music or watching tv.

Outside has lots going on to distract from the feeling of that first five minutes of running, the route can be varied to avoid or include hills, fresh air and vitamin D.

Maybe you could try outside, when you can fit it in, but if you can only do treadmill at the minute, stick to it as it’s better than no run. Enjoy, whichever you choose

[Tiggysalledgedowner Graduate]

I did all my runs on a treadmill. I really hadn’t done any running for over40 years, and so loved the idea that I could just set up the run speed and the machine would do it all for me. If I got tired, it was very easy to just slow down a bit, and also to speed up at the end. I set the speed quite high at the beginning and over nine weeks got slower and slower, I also dropped the incline to zero so everything got easier as the runs got harder. The other huge plus was music, you can have it blaring out, unlike parkruns where music is banned, oh, and did I mention the weather, it’s always dry in the gym.

I’m now in the consolidation phase, and actually really enjoy running on a tread mill, I’ve now got a 58 song running playlist, and have it on random, and really look forward to heardi g what is going to co e next, and now adjust my pace to each song to hit the beat just right.

I’m sure at some point I will start running outside, but for the moment, the treadmill has done a superb job of getting me running for 30 minutes three times and week and for that reason I’m very fond of it!

[Katiehall96]

I have started and failed c25k about 4 times. I have done my bits on a tread mill as I found it the best place... i am back to it now tonight i will be running w2r2. Keep going at it and do what suits you best!

[paul1960 Graduate]

I did all my c25k on tredmill was great but once I got out side was fantastic running outside is completely different the tredmill is way to easy than outside it took me ages to get outside but now it's great you really do need to try it for yourself and see and good luck you will smash it the program really works just remember slow a d steady

[Teddyboo52 Graduate]

I have done it all on a treadmill which fits in with my life and I now run5k twice a week on the treadmill xx

[Runadink Graduate]

Outside.

I live near the south downs in a seaside town.... why wouldnt you?

Congrates on your first run this forum is here for you

[SpeedMaQueen Graduate]

I began the C25k this summer and have completed all my runs outdoors but now it’s getting darker early morning and that’s my preferred time to get out, I am investigating the treadmill options. I think the main thing is maintaining your progress however that fits into your lifestyle- happy running 🙂

[Hidden]

I started running outside a couple of years ago doing C25K and had a really nasty fall and broke my arm. I am now a bit phobic about running outside but have just started to run again on a treadmill and have got to week 3. I am building up confidence and like the fact that I don't go too fast and can build up my stamina

[clowth]

I did all mine on the treadmill and really enjoyed it! Although when I graduated I tried running outside and could only manage 11 mins when I was previously doing 30 mins on the treadmill!! So it was a bit disheartening. I would say if you are starting out with it to mix it up with both if you can, I certainly wish I had done. Absolutely nothing wrong with treadmill though, i really enjoyed doing mine on there and continue to do regular 5ks on it! Just need to suss the great outdoors!

[XT31]

I prefer a mixture of road and public footpaths. The cross country bits are really good for your core apparently 👍

[Astonechat Graduate]

I much prefer running outside for the reasons others have given - fresh air, variety of scenery etc. However I have done a few treadmill runs and it is certainly easier to run faster, although it makes you very sweaty! I did a ‘first treadmill run’ programme from the Nike running app which I found helpful as it gives you the techniques to use eg when to speed up, slow down, when and why to adjust the incline etc. Whatever suits you is the best though, congratulations on starting and good luck on your journey.

[WellbeingMyself]

I've done most of it so far on a treadmill and enjoy it. It's a lovely view and with music I just zone out. I find pavement quite uncomfortable and I get self conscious outside. Plan is to graduate to outside once my fitness is up. I think you should do whatever you prefer to do and gently vary it as you get more comfortable.

[Belushi Graduate]

I recently started working on a ship and so the treadmill is essential, it is easier too, about 4 minutes faster for 5K, but outside is just so much better, my first year running was all outside, loved it rain and snow too, so outside for me and take it steady

[Hidden]

Hello Marmight. I prefer doing the runs outside but I completed the last three weeks of C25K on a treadmill due to the weather where I live. I feel as if running outside is more challenging because of the change in terrain as you run. You will have inclines and declines which you won’t normally have on a treadmill. I say run wherever works for your schedule. You are conditioning your body to be active for longer periods of times each week. All runs count no matter the terrain.

[Sammy-Lou]

Hi well done Marmight. I did c25k in a field. Then forward thinking to darker wetter days I bought a secondhand treadmill which I’ve used since!! In October I’m planning on starting Parkrun to mix up outside and treadmill. I need to get used to running with others as I did a 5k after I completed c25k and I was ‘scared’ so started last but didn’t come last!!! Came 282nd out of 311! As my confidence grew I got in my stride! I’m slow but keen and most of all I love it!!!!

[Goslow Graduate]

I've done all my c25k on treadmill, I am on my last week now and tried running outside but I found it completely different and harder.. I think it's what ever you are comfortable with.. good luck 😊