CONSOLIDATION UPDATE!... treadmill vs outdoors!

[Jamicharla]

So, thought I'd post a little upate as its been a couple of weeks... had a week away and took my running gear with the intention of running but that turned out to be entirely unrealistic, so i just took the hit and gave myself a week off. I was a bit nervous about that hindering progress, but actually it seems to have been fine!

Post week off and my gym has reopened so I thought I would go and try it out.... in the past I really liked the treadmill. But since I started c25k all my running has been outside so this was interesting....

Attempt 1... completely messed this up as my watch died shortly after the first km. 🙈 the treadmill speeds are in miles, so i already felt a little thrown abd honestly i found it quite hard to work out what on earth I was doing with my pace... out of breath, achey... so have realised that I am very much used to listening to my body as opposed to a machine now! Anyway managed my 30mins so happy enough.

Attempt 2 today- much better. Went a little bit slower than my first attempt and this was MUCH better... really pleased to have covered 5.5km today and even better than that i managed the 5k in 33.30 which is 4mins off my PB 🤩😱.

So all in all a good day, BUT.... i am mindful that the treadmill does make it easier.... no inclines or bends to negotiate and you know what else.... i missed my beautiful views. So much harder to watch those minutes painfully ticking by! But there was air con. So I guess there are pros and cons!

Funny how you keep learning.... lesson learnt... i prefer to run outdoors (NEVER thought i would say that), but the treadmill is good for a heatwave!

Curious what other people find they prefer?? Anyone do a bit of both??

Meanwhile, I think maybe 1 more week of consolidation after this and I'm ready for the next big challenge!! 🤗

[MontyMooDog Graduate]

Interesting post this. Must admit running on a treadmill has only crossed my mind if there is ice underfoot as can't afford to slip with my back👍 But not likely to have to resort going indoors for this week at least.. 🤣🤣🤣♨️

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to MontyMooDog]

hadn't thought about running when it's icy yet! Guess that will come around soon enough, but as you say not this week!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

I LOVE treadmills - but also love running outdoors. I did the whole of C25K on treadmill 5.5 yrs ago and continue to mix things up. The treadmill is an incredibly useful tool as far as I'm concerned and it would have spared me my current knee injury had I had access to one during lockdown in Spain.

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to John_W]

They certainly have their uses. I have always liked how accurately you can measure progress, but that can have its drawbacks too! Good to hear that you enjoy both forms of running. I definitely want to keep up the outdoor running and its given me new sense of freedom, but I do think the treadmill will serve me well in certain circumstances so a mixture of both might be the way forward!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Jamicharla]

Yes, as a research scientist, I love the fact that the treadmill gives you controlled conditions so that you can cross-compare the same runs with confidence. Fascinating for heart -rate training. I do nearly all my interval sessions on them. Much easier to control the speeds than outdoors.

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to John_W]

I can imagine that makes it much easier for intervals, great thinking... definitely going to try that!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

I get too hot on a dreadmill - sweat doesn’t evaporate the same as it does outside. Also I find I go slower for the same effort compared to outside.

Here’s a great conversion chart so you know what speed to aim for on a treadmill 👍🏽

depicus.com/swim-bike-run/p...

I use it all the time as my friends all run in miles and I use km. when I talk to them I have to convert pace and distance first so they know what I’m on about 🤣

[Jamicharla Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Yes I did feel that way today but wasn't sure if it was just that everywhere is so hot!! 🤣

Thanks for the conversion chart tho! Really need that! I get soooo confused!!

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Jamicharla]

Me too!

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

I began running on the treadmill and made the switch to outdoors at the beginning of week 5. I’m so glad I did as I much prefer running outside 😊 However, I hate running round the streets where I live, a built up area all shops and main roads 😏 so I like to travel somewhere nice, but this takes more time. So on days where time is tight I’ll jump on the treadmill at home and when I’ve got more time I’ll run outside. It’s the best of both worlds I guess. The only problems with the treadmill are that’s it’s really boring and it gets really hot in my spare room!