QUESTION OF THE WEEK 4th August…Indoors or out... - Couch to 5K

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK 4th August…Indoors or outdoors?

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate
20 Replies

hellooo everyone and thank you for all your birthday wishes for yesterday I had a lovely time….

So my question for this week is Indoors or outdoors??? Which is best? What do you prefer and why??

personally I’m an outdoor runner..I just love being outside doing my thing…but what do you prefer…? I’ve tried both…but only indoors on a treadmill in a gym on holiday when it’s been too hot to run outside

Let us know what and why…😉

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Mummycav profile image
Mummycav
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20 Replies
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministratorGraduate

Outdoors 100%

When I was much younger, early 40s, I went regularly to the gym for about 6 months and my workout included the treadmill. The only thing that made it worthwhile was watching the Jeremy Kyle Show while I ran (only time I've ever watched it 😂, honest). As it's no longer aired there's nothing to tempt me back lol.

Not only that, the only gym within walking distance isn't very inviting. It's small, cramped and not well equipped. I was a member for a while as I had a specific challenge I was half heartedly training for but I didn't use the treadmills. That was back in the days when I thought running would harm my poor old arthritic knee (which, by the way, has never been better since I started C25K).

So, outdoors for me. We are blessed to live in a small town surrounded by farmland. Five minutes takes me to the nearest footpath, perfect warm up walk. The farmer maintains the footpaths and seems to encourage people to use them (apart from the don't feed the horses/llamas signs and warnings about leverets and nesting birds). It's flat and you can run for miles. If you get fed up with farmland there is the sea wall to run along as well. Most of the paths are grassy but there are agricultural roads too so you can get a change of surface if you want.

Then there's the ever changing weather, and the change of seasons to keep you enchanted.

The only time I am ever tempted to a treadmill is after heavy rain when it all turns to mud but when it's like that I'd rather stay home with a nice cuppa.

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply toYesletsgo

Sounds like a very inviting place to run x

Folkylass profile image
FolkylassGraduate

Definitely outdoor for me Mummycav . I did have a treadmill a few years ago and I did enjoy it but I did find it was much too easy for me to use it instead of going out into the fresh air for a lovely run. So I sold it and now I have to go outside if I want to run😂😂🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🥰xx

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply toFolkylass

Absolutely..I love the outdoors x

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate

🍏🏃‍♀️ 🌳 🌺 🦢 🌱 🌅 My happy hormones from running are enhanced by the cool fragrant morning air on my skin, the dawn chorus, the smell of the ocean & the beauty around me. Sunrises and gently falling rain are why I live to run outdoors. Autumn leaves, soft snow and freshly cut grass call my name & motivate me to lace up and get the run done. 🤔 Mmm I don’t think a machine would do it for me but I have never tried! Thanks for this interesting question Mummycav It will be interesting to hear the other point of view!

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply toAnnieapple

That just about sums it up for me…unfortunately though I only get sea when I run on my hols…but everything else, yes…x

Wavy-chick28 profile image
Wavy-chick28Graduate

I just can’t get on with treadmills much prefer the great outdoors come rain or shine 👌🏻

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply toWavy-chick28

Yes..I’m with you on that one 😉

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate

I'm on week 8 of the program and ran weeks 1-6 all indoors on the treadmill and found it difficult.

Week 7 and week 8 I have done mostly outside and find it a lot easier and I am also running a lot quicker as well (10:00/km vs 8:00/km)

If the weather is ok I'm going to persist with running outside, I don't mind the treadmill too much but I find time goes a lot quicker outdoors and I find it easier

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply toJ4rra

Well done J4rra , you’re doing fab!! Maybe time goes quicker outside because you’re enjoying it more..more to look at? Think about?

Keep plodding 😉

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply toJ4rra

I think you might be confused J4rra ; pace isn't the same as speed. 10:00/km means you take ten minutes to run one kilometre, and 8:00/km means you take eight minutes to run one kilometre. So 10:00/km is slower than 8:00/km.

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate in reply toCmoi

No I meant that on the treadmill I'm doing 6kph which is 10:00/km and when I'm doing my running outside it's 8:00/km - not sure what speed that is but it's faster than 6kph.

I realise what you mean pace and speed are different things, I just put speed in my reply and meant pace apologies

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply toJ4rra

Ah right, I thought from your original post it was the other way round. There's a converter here if you're interested: depicus.com/swim-bike-run/p...

J4rra profile image
J4rraGraduate in reply toCmoi

Thanks will deffo take a look

smokeysmoke profile image
smokeysmokeGraduate

I did treadmill running a few years ago as I wasn’t confident enough to go outside. I then discovered couch to 5k and have run outside ever since. I’ve obviously reached the age of not caring what anyone thinks! 😃

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply tosmokeysmoke

That’s brilliant!! Lots of people, once they’ve discovered the forum change their attitude towards running outdoors….you def haven’t got imposter syndrome…good for you l!!

Newbie59 profile image
Newbie59Graduate

I love walking in nature but often life gets in the way and there isn't time for a long walk. However, getting out for half an hour's run first thing in the morning before breakfast is a great way to start the day. I was doing that two or three times a week after I graduated the first time and so this is what I am aiming for. Week 5 Run 2 coming up soon!

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply toNewbie59

I agree 100% that an early morning run is the best start to the day…good luck with your next run

Katrey60 profile image
Katrey60Graduate

My favourite is outdoors when I’m running with my husband as we chat about our day, but I’m not as motivated on my own, so I use my treadmill for early 6.30am runs when he can’t make it.

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply toKatrey60

Sounds like a perfect mash up!!

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