Do you think its cheating to be doing C25K on a treadmill?

[stridingedge]

I have just completed W3R3. All runs have been done on a treadmill in the gym. Reading other peoples posts it seems that no one else is doing it this way and I'm starting to feel abit uneasy. Do you think I should take to the roads?

[Legion Graduate]

You're not alone. I've seen several others post that they are doing c25k on a treadmill, and I do half my runs on a treadmill and half outside. I have seen comments that some people have found it harder to run outside after running on the treadmill, but this just means giving yourself an adjustment time to acclimatise when/if you decide to run outdoors. It's certainly not cheating, and running on a treadmill is way better than staying on the couch! You might find it gets a bit boring when you get to the longer runs, but if you're happy on the treadmill then that's the only thing that matters.

[Hidden]

No you are not cheating, your doing great, if treadmill works for you then that's great. I don't use a treadmill as I'm not a member of a gym, no other reason. Good luck!

[runcanada Graduate]

I am ready to complete my final run, W9R3 and it has all been on a treadmill.. I own a commercial grade one as I wanted no excuses to get fit. Was using it for walks before the C25K. I was a little nervous reading this blog... was afraid the post was about someone thinking it in fact is cheating. I have complerted it all on the treadmill for a variety of reasons. One being so overweight, I am not comfortable running in public and two, I can get on a treadmill when my child is in the house, otherwise, I would have trouble getting out for runs consistently. I do hope to transition to the outside soon, but for now I am quite proud to say I have completed the C25K... well almost

Good luck on the program.

[sonicsplodge Graduate]

YOU are most definately NOT ON YOUR OWN............Treadmill AND outdoors but mostly treadmill...well until my wobbles decrease.

Do it your way..its supposed to fun as well as exercise

[doggymum Graduate]

Like runcanada I have also done the programme on a treadmill (in my garage)

I have liked the fact that I can keep my pace consistent, I did it all at the same speed, albeit not very fast!

I have found the longer runs more of a mental challenge as your scenery doesn't change but I used it as time to just zone out and listen to the music, but I had to create my own playlist for the last few runs to keep me engaged.

I don't think it's cheating, we are all different and different things work for different people. If you are finding that it is working for you, then great. You are better doing it in a way that suits you rather than what you think others think you should be doing.

Well done for getting this far, you are doing great.

Happy running

[miche78 Graduate]

I have completed all my runs outside as I am lucky that I live in a very beautiful and quiet part of the country, however I don't view running on a treadmill as cheating; it's just another way of running. As said before it is definitely more of a mental challenge as you get less variation. I will be swapping to the treadmill when it starts to get dark and gloomy.

[ClareIsland]

Hi stridingedge, I totally agree with the other comments. Not cheating at all - it's whatever works for you.

I'm on W3 and doing it all on the treadmill. When I tried the road my knee was really stiff and painful afterwards. I was so diappointed, but decided to start again on treadmill a couple of months later and no problems at all. I'll go back out again eventually - when the knee is stronger but for now I'll stick with what's working. And boy is it working - already feel better / fitter than I've felt in a long time and have lost 5lbs (ideally wanted to get a stone or so off so am over the moon with that!)

[CindyP]

Hi, I am also doing the program on a treadmill as that what works for me and after 2.5 weeks I can run further than I could 2.5 weeks ago so it is definitley not cheating. I have signed up for a 5 km fun run in 12 weeks time so I am going to head outside and run from about week 6 once a week and run on the treadmill other times. Good luck with your running

[happierswimming Graduate]

I use a treadmill because at 61 I want to reduce stress on my joints and a treadmill absorbs impact better than pavement. I've also done some runs in the park after rain when the ground is soft. There's no real difference in the effect on your stamina or fitness between running on a treadmill and running outside so do whatever works for you. It's easier to judge your pace on a treadmill because the numbers are in front of you so if you do run outside, you might find you are running faster than usual and it will feel more difficult. If that happens, just slow right down. Happy running

[notlaura Graduate]

crikey I hope it isn't cheating or I'll have to hand my graduate badge back X

[ChasingOwls]

Definitely not cheating!

I would run on a treadmill if I could! I run outside and although its quiet and changing scenery is always good I still feel pretty self concious about it.

Besides there's other advantages of running on a treadmill if I can remember my past gym membership days - don't they tell you how far you've gone/speed/calories burned etc? (expect modern tech could do the same-but I've not caught up yet!)

[Soozz Graduate]

No way! Whatever works.

[happyharris Graduate]

Agree with everyone - I did c25k on a treadmill and now I have graduated I have started running outdoors too, mixing longer outdoor runs with a treadmill session mid week - there are benefits in both ways, but at least the treadmill will enable me to run whatever the weather - so no excuses!!!!

[kayface Graduate]

Yup, I am also a graduate who did the entire C25K on a treadmill! My fitness levels have still improved and heck, I can run 30 minutes longer than I could do 10 weeks ago so it must count! I'm now switching to outdoor running over the summer, and it's a whole new challenge for me to complete

[OliversDad]

certainly not cheating.

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Does the treadmill move your legs and breathe for you? Just wondering, cause I can't imagine how it would be cheating otherwise...