First time on a treadmill : Hi I’m on wk 9 run... - Couch to 5K

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First time on a treadmill

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate
36 Replies

Hi I’m on wk 9 run 1

First time ever on a treadmill today as wet and very windy so I thought I’d give it a go.

It’s a reebok jet100.

I have no idea what speed to set at so guessed

I walked at 2.6 km or mph ?? No idea

Ran at 3.6??!

Advice appreciated as on my iPhone health app I usually run/walk 3.5 miles on my runs

Health app says 2.6!! Miles

Is the treadmill kmh or mph ??

Not enough speed ?

Answers on a postcard please

Feel as if on my final wk I haven’t run as per usual

I did sweat though .

It just doesn’t seem right to me

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Forpetessake profile image
Forpetessake
Graduate
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36 Replies
Maz1234 profile image
Maz1234Graduate

My treadmill is in km . Yours could be different but mine does say on the display where it tells you the distance you ran. Mine isn’t a reebok one by the way so could be different.

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to Maz1234

You know what I’m a plonker lol

I put my phone in the holder part way through lol

That’s why distance was low lol

Oops

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate

Some you can set to both. Your legs and breathing will soon tell you if you are going too fast for both walking and running. What is fast or slow for you will be different than for others. Happy treadmilling

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate

I also went on my first ever treadmill run today because of the weather. It's definitely not for me. I went on some flash thing at the gym and just felt my way through. Physically it seemed easier than running outdoors, but mentally it was a nightmare. Absolutely hated it and hope never to repeat the experience 😔.

I hope you enjoyed it more than I did.

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to Speedy60

I didn’t either lol

It’s ok when I can’t run outdoors I suppose

Just don’t know what speed to set at

I did 2.6 walk

3.6 run

Is that slow ?mph I susoect

Shazzat6 profile image
Shazzat6 in reply to Forpetessake

I run on treadmill on wk2 run 2 my walking pace is 5.6 and running is 8.1 it works for me

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate

I don't know what the units are at the gym. I was trying to judge it by timing. I had the gradient at 1.5. 1.5 what, I've no idea. I ambled along at 7.5 speed and then a few sprints at 10. I could have asked the instructor I guess, but I just wanted to get it over with and go. In the end I ran 6k in 40 minutes, which is pretty good for me.

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to Speedy60

Wow that’s fabulous !

Oh well I’ll keep trying

I must look at the end results next time

I was concentrating on not falling off lol

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate in reply to Forpetessake

I know what you mean. I really didn't like not being in control of the pace and I had to stare straight ahead not to wobble. That never happens outdoors.

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to Speedy60

Me neither

I’m sure I’m not that slow when outdoors

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate

Back to the elliptical trainer for me

Beany123 profile image
Beany123Graduate in reply to Speedy60

I like the elliptical. If you have a Fitbit you can get fitstar app on your phone. It has loads of elliptical workouts- I realised I didn’t have it on nearly a high enough setting and wasn’t getting all the benefits (working just arms, just legs, not holding bars etc) finally I’m seeing results from it! Used to love treadmill but find that, and exercise bike a bit boring now!

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate in reply to Beany123

Thanks for your tip, I'll look that one up. The guy at the gym gave me a programme which does push me. The problem o find with all machines is my boredom threshold. There's so much more to engage in outdoors and it takes my mind off the effort.

Beany123 profile image
Beany123Graduate in reply to Speedy60

Totally agree! Music would help. Problem with fitstar is that you can’t listen to music while following the instructions on the audio thing 🙄

CJMumma profile image
CJMummaGraduate

I’m on week 7 and have done all of mine so far on a treadmill. The treadmill at the gym is in km and I walk at 6kmh and run anywhere between 6-7.5kmh depending on how much energy I have. I’ve not run outside yet but doing my 3rd run of week 7 outside with a friend on Friday so I’m dreading it! To give u an idea, I’m covering around 3.5-3.75km in week 7

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to CJMumma

Thank you

I’m going to give it a go tomorrow if the weathers still bad

I go on holiday next wk so need to get used to it to use the gym as it’s not ok to run alone in a foreign country

I’m panicking lol because I need to be able to do it !

Wish I’d not left it this long

And it’s my graduation wk!

Sammy-Lou profile image
Sammy-Lou

Hi forpetesake I have a treadmill and set it for 5.8mph after I’ve warmed uo on 4.5mph- you can play about with speed to find what’s comfortable for you. I listen to music and get in the zone! Good luck and well done!

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to Sammy-Lou

Going to try again tomorrow

Thank you all for the great advice

allyjo_82 profile image
allyjo_82Graduate

That will be MPH. Treadmill running definutely takes some getting used to. When i first switched I struggled with 4mph and struggled keeping a constant pace. Ive been on treadmills around 3 months now and actually really enjoy it. Ive ran outside a couple of times so i know my improvements do transfer. Im running a minimum of 5mph now. Persevere as i find it a different training and mixing it up can only be good.

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to allyjo_82

I only ran at 3.6 lol

I did think I should have turned it up

Never mind

Onwards and upwards

Another day tomorrow

Need to get used to it for next wk as away on holiday for 2 wk

I don’t want to look a fool at the gym! Lol

allyjo_82 profile image
allyjo_82Graduate in reply to Forpetessake

Firstly DO NOT WORRY ABOUT HOW YOU LOOK AT THE GYM anyone who is concerned with what you are doing isnt there for the right reasons and is an absolute looser! Also i think my first treadmill run was around 3.5, thats now my warm up walk speed. It is a completely different experience to street or trail running but you will get used to it. I normally up my speed a couple of notches for the last 10 mins or so, then go all out for the last minute. When im ready i start that couple of notches higher and see if i can maintain it for the whole run. Remember your only competition is yourself. Have fun with it. X

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to allyjo_82

Ah thank you for the great advice and encouragement

I’m going to try again tomorrow x

Tmm27 profile image
Tmm27Graduate

Not sure about your machine etc , but I’m in week 8 run 1 and I’m a treadmill runner . I think the speed you have stated and distance is miles . I think if it was Km you would know cause it would be slow given the speed you state.

Fluffiness profile image
FluffinessGraduate

I don't enjoy treadmill running, it is boring and I have had a few near misses with falls etc. Much prefer the outdoors and think the fresh air/light are part of the benefits. But it is good to be able to do it if the weather is bad, but maybe just run and not worry about the distances/speed - if you do your time and are sweaty and out of breath then does it matter for a one or two off how far you went? As for running abroad, I do it all the time, pick your route carefully and be aware - as you would do in the UK - I often feel safer abroad than here!!

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to Fluffiness

I think you’re right

Safer than here I guess

Just panicked that I’d have nowhere to run lol

Thank you

Fluffiness profile image
FluffinessGraduate in reply to Forpetessake

go on a rekkie when you arrive and see if you can find a safe route and get out and do it!!

The_Real_BFG profile image
The_Real_BFGGraduate

I have done all my running on a treadmill and don't find it anywhere near as hard or boring as others but if possible have a screen without the stopwatch on it otherwise you will be drawn to watching it count down rather than running.

I would say that must be in mph which converts to 4.2kmph walking and 5.8kmph running, I currently walk at 4.8 and run at 6.5 which is slow but everyone on here will tell you the speed doesn't matter it the action of running that makes the difference.

You will also find you have a incline you can set and the expert say 1.0 is equal to running to a road and 1.5 to running on grass, I have to say I graduated a few months ago and still leave the incline at 0, what ever suits you and keeps you running is the key.

allyjo_82 profile image
allyjo_82Graduate in reply to The_Real_BFG

Great advice, counters on a treadmill are the devil. I try mu hardest to get to the end of a song before looking, distracting myself with whatever is on the tv in the gym. Ive also started focusing on distance rather than time. (Im doing december race at your pace) and it is a little easier to not get too tired up in the numbers. X

DiverIzzie profile image
DiverIzzieGraduate

Wow!! Just grab an instructor/personal trainer at the gym and get them to talk you through the treadmill settings - and discover courses and workout functions... I’m currently “running” round New Zealand..😀

ChrisK_UK profile image
ChrisK_UK

Hi, I’m 2/3 way through week 4 and have been doing the entire program on a treadmill. My walk speed is 6,2 and run speed is 7.6. As my training is artificial and been using the treadmill to set my pace, I’m a little concerned that when I get out on the open road I’m going to be ill prepared.

Miss-fuschia profile image
Miss-fuschiaGraduate in reply to ChrisK_UK

I reckon you will find running outside easier! The lovely coolness is the best thing no sweating it out at the gym! Treadmills also don’t do downhills! So if you run up a slight incline you will find the going down great! Good luck!!!!

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to Miss-fuschia

I do find it difficult on treadmill

Easier outdoors to me too x

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to ChrisK_UK

Hi again

Thank you for the advice.

Just warmed up at 6

Ran at 7.8

Changed it to kmh

Think that’s about right

Hope the road goes well

I’m sure it will x

jsh2803 profile image
jsh2803Graduate

Have done all my C25k on a treadmill just completed W9R2 this am. I warm up at 4mph and start run at 4.2 mph then increase ending at 4.5mph. I warm down at 4 reducing to 3.8. I have incline at 2%, am not yet at 5k run but manage 5k (3.11 miles) overall in 45mins. I have not run outside but planning park run as part of consolidation.

johnm12 profile image
johnm12Graduate

Judging from the speeds I'd say it was in mph. A brisk walk is about 3 mph and a very brisk one 4. It should be switchable somewhere I would have thought

As a guide a 5K in 30 mins would be 6 mins per Km or 10Kmph or about 6 mph

a 5K in 35 mins would be 7 mins per Km or 8.6 Kmph or 5.3 mph

Hope that helps to get you in the zone!

Forpetessake profile image
ForpetessakeGraduate in reply to johnm12

Thank you for that

I’ll give it a go

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