Treadmill v Road

[SJK9025]

My area went into tier 4 yesterday so I find myself turfed off the treadmill and onto the road. I did my first road run today and OMG it was so much harder than running on a treadmill. I knew it was going to be different so I re-did W5R1, which I found relatively easy on the treadmill last week. I don’t know what the problem was today but I just couldn’t breathe and I couldn’t run for more than 2.5 mins without stopping. It must be something to do with breathing in the cold air (and not at all anything to do with the fact I’ve eaten my body weight in cheese over the last two days!). So how can I adapt? Should I go back a couple of weeks in my training schedule?

[limberlou Graduate]

It always is diferent running outside than the treadmill. The difference in surfaces, gradient, weather conditions

But I prefer it myself and actually sold my treadmill recently as I was never using it. ... I love to watch the seasons changing in the hedgerows and along the river where I usually run.

Give it a go and enjoy it. And if you are struggling a bit slow down some more until you get used to it

Good luck 👍💪🏃🏼🏃‍♀️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

You have to pace yourself on the road.......slow down so you can speak aloud, clear ungasping sentences as you run.

You also have to deal with gradients, uneven surfaces, weather and all the ever changing sensory stimuli.

It may take you a few runs to get back to feeling comfortable but the effort will be worth it.

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

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Hidden]

I personally find running outside much much easier than running on a treadmill. I own a treadmill, but hardly ever use it because I find it so hard.

I think it is just what you are used too. You are used to having a fixed speed, while outdoors you decide the speed. For me, I like the fact my body can speed up or slow down with centimeters an hour depending on how it feels.

G'luck, you will get used to it!

[nowster Graduate]

Just remember to go slow. You're probably running faster outside than you were on the treadmill.

Also natural gradients will feel hard until you get used to them. I'm not talking about hills: they're even harder. Have patience.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

It’s a whole different experience, keep going on the programme but slow down then go even slower until you find your comfortable pace have fun, running outside is awesome

[shuffleido Graduate]

I do both. I started running outside a couple of weeks ago but still felt uncomfortable. So now I run on my treadmill twice a week and one run a week outside in the dark. I had terrible trouble with breathing - maybe down to the cold air and pacing myself properly. There are so many good running routes around here, so determined to adapt.

[Roxdog Graduate]

It will take a bit of getting used to that's all, but once you are used to it, you may find you don't want to run on a treadmill again. I started cto5k on a treadmill but moved outside around week 5. It felt tougher, but soon I realised the benefits of the fresh air and scenery.Good luck.

[Frenc Graduate]

I feel for you - I love the gym but for weights rather than the treadmill, and I’m in Tier 4 now too 😖. But anyway, I used to think why run outside when you can run inside?! No wind, rain, traffic etc. Now I’m completely the other way round - outside is so much nicer! It’ll take a bit of getting used to but you’ve come this far 👏🏼. Just run very slowly and the rest will fall into place 😊🏃‍♀️.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

You’ll get used to it. Dreadmills are harder I think. I go slower on one than for the same effort outside.