What settings do you use in a treadmill?

[Vitty]

I've done the whole programme in the great outdoors but am worried about running in the dark as there are no streetlights in our village. I'm therefore thinking of doing at least one run per week on a treadmill. What settings should I use and what are things I should consider when moving indoors?

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Well there is one thing for sure Vitty "Don't do as I do, do as the others tell you" me and treadmills don't go together well. I had my first proper run on one today, good point to mention, I didn't break any bones! But I would say to new starters if you can mix up your running indoors/outdoors you will have the best of both worlds.

[caro8642]

I started on a treadmill, up to week 5, have been mostly outside since, but did week 8 run 1 on the treadmill again. A treadmill can be boring, so have some good music to listen to! I would say take it easy and see how you go. If not used one before, it can feel (so I have been told) rather strange at first. It will also depend if you want to use the incline as well. I have not found a treadmill that lets you go down hill though! Each time I use the treadmill, I try to go further, and a little faster than the last time. Some also have auto cut offs - a cord you can connect to your clothing, so if you fall it will stop. One thing, if using at home, make sure family members can't creep up on you unseen - nearly had a major catastrophe when my son crept up behind and tapped me on the shoulder! I shall certainly be using my treadmill over the winter months, and to get back into running when my knee is feeling better. Good luck on the treadmill.

[shelleymcb Graduate]

when you first get on a treadmill it may feel really un-natural & you may want to run right at the front of it, until you realise that you dont have to bang your arms on the controls to stop yourself falling off!

I felt rather sea-sick & off balance on getting off the treadmill the first few times I used one so try to include your cool down walk, slowing down gradually to a stop so that you get your balance back. you'll probably only have to do this for a few times until your head gets used to it.

I have one at home & use one at the gym for hill sessions but tend to run outdoors whatever the weather now. for walking I start at 3.5mph & running at 5.5mph but find that once I have done a running bit my walking speed is more comfortable at 4 & running anything up to 6. it is also handy to set the incline to .5 or 1 to mimic outdoor conditions.

if you are thinking of buying a treadmill then thats another question altogether!!

happy running. X

[Vitty Graduate]

Thanks everyone. I will stay outside as long as I can but I know it's going to get difficult fitting running in daylight around work. I hate gyms but don't want to stop now and I have a routine I don't want to break.

[poeciliareticulata Graduate]

I started on a treadmill so it doesn't feel weird any more, but the first time I stepped on to it I thought I was going to go flying. I'd suggest starting with some brisk walking to get your balance (don't hold on!), maybe play with the incline a bit (as practice for balancing) and then slowly up the speed to something that you're comfortable with. I run slightly faster outside than I am able to do on the treadmill so you might want to consider setting it a little slower than your outside pace. I also find it a lot more interesting if I vary the speed during a run - I have been using the c25k weeks and doing a mix of slow and less slow running, to both up my speed (less slow is faster than I was doing the first time round, so it's sort of a bit like interval training) and keep me interested. I find it extremely boring to maintain a constant speed on there.

[boyoscarlet Graduate]

Hi Vitty, I've used a treadmill for the whole programme. I'm not a fast runner, but usually start at 5.5mph and work up to 6mph. It can be boring, as others have said, but quite convenient if the conditions outside aren't brilliant. Good luck

[Xjuliex]

Hi vitty I have also used the treadmill at the gym set on 6 km walking and 8 km jogging/ run I m now just about to try complete week 6 had a speed problem with pod cast. I listen to pod cast and sometimes put the news on the tv screen . Did a few outdoor runs but asthma worse so just running at the gym.??