Is treadmill okay?

[Wagper08]

Hi

Just wondering if unable to get outside to run is it okay to use treadmill? Also what if I miss a run ?

Thanks

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

The answer to both those questions and many, many others are to be found in the guide to the plan, which is recommended that all starting C25k read. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi Wagper08 , I don't really understand what you mean by miss a run. There aren't set days for C25K so if you can't do a run on the day you planned, then you do it a day or two later. Just ensure you take one or more rest days between each run day. Treadmill is absolutely fine, though not my personal cup of tea.

Do have a read of the link given by IannodaTruffe , then enjoy C25K!

[Wagper08 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks.Yes but a lot of information to take in.

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Wagper08]

I agree that it's a lot - I personally would've preferred a much shorter version, even though I enjoy reading!

The crucial stuff, in my opinion, is go at a really comfortable pace at which you can talk easily (doesn't matter how slow that pace is), do what the programme says and not more or less, ensure you warm up and cool down after every run, take at least one rest day between run days, and stay well-hydrated.

Oh, and believe in yourself!

[Wagper08 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks so much. Just what I was looking for 😃

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Yes.

I, like many others, did the whole of C25K on a treadmill.

7 years later and I continue to to do about 30% of my runs on a treadmill.

Running is running (jogging!) - whether it's done outdoors or in.

Which runs have you 'missed' ?

[Wagper08 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Just overthinking and worrying the what ifs

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Wagper08]

Here's a good tip:

SWITCH BRAIN OFF.

Instead... J.F.D.I.

😎

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

I didn’t manage three runs a week through most of my c25k because of life. It took me longer but I got there. I think the extra recovery days probably helped me.

It’s not a strict, one size fits all programme. Try not to feel under pressure to complete it exactly as written. It’s supposed to be a helpful tool to get you up and running, not a stick to beat yourself with! Feel proud of every run you do and not think about whether you should be doing more.

[nowster Graduate]

There's no such thing as missing a run.

There is such a thing as running too often. As a beginner, rest days are important. You need at least one after every run session. Taking more than one is fine. It's during the days you're not running that the tiny bits of damage that running does gets repaired, and the body builds back stronger. Without that rest period the damage is never fully repaired, and injury becomes more likely.

On the other hand, if you leave it too long between runs (eg. less often than once a week) the effectiveness of the cycle (micro-damage + repair) is lessened, and you don't get the full benefit.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

The treadmill is more than OK… extra kudos for those who can complete this using one, I used to get bored after about 2 minutes!

I have been running for nearly four years and I have never missed a run. I have not done every run on the day I originally intended… in fact I have lost count of the number that have been delayed a day (or two). I have noticed that the runs do miss me though, as they feel so good after an extra rest day!

[Jenny1974 Graduate]

Hello, I’m doing mine on a treadmill and I asked the same question running outside is harder but on. A treadmill you can just put headphones in and off you go plus I like the fact I can whack the speed up if I want to push myself x I have missed a day before and now my week starts in a Wednesday x good luck and keep going, it’s hard and easy to give up but once you start you will become addicted x get a good playlist and when running think of things to motive you . Atm as awful as it is I think there are people in Ukraine wishing they could run so I do it for them 🥲

[Wagper08 Graduate in reply to Jenny1974]

So true 😃