Do You Think C25K Increases Too Fast?

festerw

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

festerw wrote: »

I really like C25K but for people who ask me I always recommend doing it on a treadmill.

I'd see that as a good way to put people off running.

RPE is as much an important thing to learn for running out in the real.

ashley52601 wrote: »

festerw wrote: »

I really like C25K but for people who ask me I always recommend doing it on a treadmill. It's super boring but it really does work better for beginners since you can control your speed. 3 years later I still have trouble keeping a steady pace outside.

I completely disagree, at least for me personally. On the treadmill, I pick a pace (usually overly aggressive) and make myself stick with it. There is no adjustment unless you consciously make the decision to do so. While running outside, you can easily and subconsciously adjust, faster or slower depending on feel. I also feel learning to pace yourself is one of the most important things to learn about running. I also think it can be disheartening to people who complete c25k on the treadmill and then try to run outside and find it's much harder.

I guess I should have provided more detail. I tell them to do the first 3-4 weeks on a treadmill, tell them it's boring as all get out but that it will help give them a baseline. Usually starting with a 2.5-3 mph walk and 4-4.5 for the run, that seems to be a decent starting point for most. From that point gradually transition to outside runs, that way they know they can do it and roughly how fast they should run.

MeanderingMammal

Personally I'll take them out for a few guided runs, talk about form, help them establish pacing, breathing and the like.

Ideal is to form a group of there are a few, help encourage one another and get them over the inevitable difficulties.