first time running on a treadmill

debrag12

So I went on the treadmill today to see how long it would take me to run 1.5 miles. I managed to get to 1.23 miles averaging 5.5 mph. It took me 20 mins lol A few mins of that was walking.

How should I go about getting faster?

Samstan101

Based on my limited experience (couldn't climb a flight of stairs 8 months ago never mind run the 5-10k I do at least twice a week now!), I would do something like C25K (Couch to 5K) and get your stamina and distacne up - speed will naturally follow. There are apps and podcasts that guide you through the 9 week C25k programme. There are also a few support group/ threads on MFP for C25K

debrag12

Can't really get into the C25K thing, I will do walk/jog intervals though but at my own length I think.

Before today I could only manage to run I think for 2 mins.

janer4jc

Based on my limited experience (couldn't climb a flight of stairs 8 months ago never mind run the 5-10k I do at least twice a week now!), I would do something like C25K (Couch to 5K) and get your stamina and distance up - speed will naturally follow. There are apps and podcasts that guide you through the 9 week C25k programme. There are also a few support group/ threads on MFP for C25K

Thanks for the suggestion. I would, however, disagree on your limited experience. It sounds like you've come a long way. I used Couch to 5k two years ago in preparation for a triathlon. I may just give it another go.

Mokey41

You'll only get faster by continuing to do it and continuing to push yourself. Whatever the reason you don't like C25K, it's a well set up program that gives you a break down of the progression so you know you're making progress. If you have goals to aim for it's much easier to push forward.

Lots of people get on the treadmill, set it to a speed and keep working at that forever.

BrianSharpe

How should I go about getting faster?

I wouldn't worry about speed at this point. For anyone new to running the focus should be on endurance, if your goal is to run 1.5 miles and you managed 1.23 then you should continue working towards the goal of actually running the 1.5 miles. If your training requires you to take walking breaks that's perfectly ok.

The key to improvement of any skill, whether it's running or learning a musical instrument is consistency. Train regularly and train with a purpose. Once you've reached your initial goal you can then set new goals (running a faster 1.5 miles or running a longer distance)

Samstan101

Based on my limited experience (couldn't climb a flight of stairs 8 months ago never mind run the 5-10k I do at least twice a week now!), I would do something like C25K (Couch to 5K) and get your stamina and distance up - speed will naturally follow. There are apps and podcasts that guide you through the 9 week C25k programme. There are also a few support group/ threads on MFP for C25K

Thanks for the suggestion. I would, however, disagree on your limited experience. It sounds like you've come a long way. I used Couch to 5k two years ago in preparation for a triathlon. I may just give it another go.

Thank you :flowerforyou: My distant goal is to do a triathalon so am reading and learning everything I can to help me get fitter but I do try to caveat any advice I give as I am inexperienced (but hopefully a quick learner) and can only comment on what's worked for me so may work for others. My only issue these days is my weight isn't coming off quickly enough to keep up with where I want to be fitness wise (still too heavy to run more than 2-3 times a week) but I'm in this for the long haul. I'm hoping that my cardio vascular fitness will be ahead of my weight loss so as I get lighter I kee seeing big improvements in my speed and endurance.

OP, the other thing I'd suggest is if you can try a run out doors. I find I run faster outside than on the treadmill. This mainly because I have the coordination of drunk duck on ice so on a treadmil need to look at my feet as I run or I stagger all over the place! Plus there are more distractions outside so I think less about my breathing or what's hurting :laugh: Best advise I can give is run regularly and also add in other training such as elliptical, swimming and weights/ strength training. I've found that's helped my running and is supposed to help avoid injuries that you may pick up if all you do is run.

DavPul

How should I go about getting faster?

go longer

melaniecheeks

What did you find difficult about the C25K approach?

_SABOTEUR_

How should I go about getting faster?

go longer

And more frequently. At least twice a week.

_Zardoz_

C25K isn't for everyone (despite the people telling you it's the best thing sliced sliced bread). It also gives a lot of false expectations IMO. I hated it. I hated it telling me what to do etc. Just do your own walk run routine thats what I did and in a similar amount of time I think it should be renamed' C25K if you can walk at a brisk pace for 30 mins 3 times a week and don't mind things constantly shouting in your ear.' I achieved similar if not more but in a way that I controlled more more suitable to my personal situation and fitness at the time

melaniecheeks

As far as I know there's all sorts of C25K programmes - I followed one run at our local park, so there wasnt really anyone shouting in my ear. You can print out a written guide to follow for yourself. It's more the structed programme of staged walking/ running that many people find helpful.

kelly_e_montana

Yes, what didn't you like about C25K and and what would you like to hear differently from people?

I thought it was great. When I came to a week I couldn't do well, I just did less and did it for more weeks. If you want to be haphazard, just do your own intervals as you are and run faster while you are doing them. ???

steve2kay

C25K took me from not being able to run for more than 60 seconds, to being able to run 5km.
But it was running sprint intervals (e.g. 20s sprint, 1m recovery), tempo runs (5m at faster than my normal pace) and long runs (at slow pace) that made me faster.
However it's worth pointing out that I'm still slow - just not as slow as I was.

p4ulmiller

C25 is hard. But you need it to push yourself that little bit harder. When you feel like stopping after 1 minute, you know you need to go for antoher 30 seconds. That can only be good.

beachlover317

There is a C25K program on line for the treadmill. No one shouting in your ear. I used it and loved it. Because you are on a treadmill with minute timing - no need to have an audio program.

As far as increasing speed? Worry about endurance for now. As someone else said, just go a little further each time. Speed will come.

CarsonRuns

There is more behind the C25K than just getting you to the point where you can run a 5K. The run/walk intervals, the amount of intensity and the frequency of the workouts are ALSO designed to keep you from injuring yourself from overuse. If you just go out, without a plan, and decided to run/walk as much as you want to, can, or think you must, you are putting yourself at risk of an overuse injury which will set you back on your goals and in many case has cause people to come to the false conclusion that "running just isn't for me" because they keep getting injured.

Use a program and take it slowly. Complete the program and then gradually build your distance (or time on your feet) and the speed will come.

debrag12

So today I managed 1.5 miles in under 16:30 mins I'm pretty happy with this. With C25K I didn't like the whole walk/run intervals sorry, a min of this a min of that, it just wasn't for me.