C25K- running machine or running outside?

albali

HI
I am interested to know how many of you guys who are doing the C25K are doing it outside on paths etc, and how many are doing it on a running machine.
Thanks

481471

Outside!
Never thought I would ever run as I hated the thought of people seeing me. But after biting the bullet a few weeks ago, I always run outside! I do wish I had a tread mill at times, ie when its raining and when i want to know im running a constant speed, but i find running outside works you out better, as terrain is always changing, altitude changes and things like battling against the wind make you work harder!

cmduncan

I'm doing it inside for now. (I live in VA and 90+ degrees and humidity are going to keep me from running outside until fall). Plan to work my way through on the treadmill and then move outside once I've gotten through the program. I expect that I'll take a hit when I transition - but I'll work through when I get there.

justann

Definately outside. I have never even been on a treadmill!

mrrodriguez

I would do it outside. If you train on a treadmill all the time, then when you want to run in an actual 5K, you won't be accustomed to the different muscles used outside.

musicgirl88

I've always done it outside. I sometimes wish I had a backup though, because when it rains all day, I don't own a treadmill nor do I have a membership anywhere! But I LOVE running outside!

fridayjustleft04

Outside. I run on the track at the high school. SInce I live in the desert, though, I wait until about 8 pm to do it.

Harrar10

Hello,
I am doing mine on a treadmill inside, I do not yet have the confidence to do it outside lol Inside on the treadmill I can control the speed and make myself run, while outside I am not sure how fast I am going and I can cheat more

Mamapengu

if you have the choice- outside. It can be fun to run in the elements, see the seasons change.

MemphisGirl75

I'm in Memphis, with 100 degree temps for the past week, and a 100% humidity daily that started more than two weeks ago. I am up by 4:30 am to run outdoors everyday. I can't stand the treadmill! I do an elliptical and exercise bike indoors when it does rain, but something about running inside is so boring to me. Luckily several neighbors have sprinklers going in the mornings, so I can dart through them as well!


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seasonalvoodoo

I completed it in March and did it all outside. I would recommend doing it outside as it is totally different from running on a treadmill. As another poster said, doing it inside may not train you for a 5k accurately.

481471

if you have the choice- outside. It can be fun to run in the elements, see the seasons change.

and you can get a nice tan in the summer!!

scottg9999

Either way will work, but running outside has much less of a boredum factor and therefore easier to stick with. If you do only run on a treadmill and decide to go outside for a race, you will notice decrease in your performance outdoors (harder to run at same pace outside than on a treadmill). If you do go with the treadmill and want to be able to perform similar outdoors, slowly add slight gradient (1% or 2% so) to your treadmill workout.

LolasEpicJourney

I do it inside. I dont deal well with the heat - and we've been getting a lot of hot an humid weather lately (over 100degrees plus humidy) - or its raining it seems.
I would like to do it outside eventually - maybe once I finish c25k I will run outside

mdentley

I started on the treadmill for the first 3 weeks...now I'm outside and loving it! I will use the treadmill on bad weather days only from now on...

clioandboy

outside for me!

weeziews

I've only ran on the treadmill. I'm just starting week 4 and this is my first experience with doing any kind of running. I think I may try it outside since the weather is getting better. I like the treadmill, because I know what my speed is. However, speed isn't important to me right now. I'm not training for an actual 5k. YET. ;-)

llkilgore

Inside, for now, due to the heat and humidity here in Louisiana. I'll move outside in the fall.

SuzieR

I'm starting this (again) when I've lost a stone and bought my new reward trainers ...

I'll be doing it outside - like a previous poster I've never been on a treadmill - they scare me! I have visions of flying off the back of it ...

CeejayGee

I'm doing it outside as long as possible. Luckily Mother Nature seems to give me at least a couple days a week that are cooler. But, i even went out in 90+ degree weather to do it, which I never, ever thought I'd do. Once I get to a point where I'm running longer periods, I wouldn't mind the treadmill. But, starting and stopping every 90, 3 mins, 5 mins, etc is hard on a treadmill. It's so much easier to just takea 10 second walk break outside. Plus, way better scenery

imnotyourpal

Outside, fo shiz!

LimeyTart

Treadmill. I can only work out when I have childcare and I only have childcare at the gym.

corsayre8

I started running last winter on the treadmill. Transitioned to trail running when the weather turned. Will never go back. Can"t even stand the thought of the "Dreadmill" any longer!

Kristie18

for the first few weeks I did it on the treadmill and then I started to run outside. Now I run when I can outside, but if it's not possible I do it on the treadmill with a small incline.

wildside79

I'm doing it to also work up my knees and shins so I can build them up rather then burning them out right away, so I'm 100% outside.

sofaking6

I do both..mostly outside since I life in San Diego...but I prefer it also because I can run as slowly as I want without the numbers glaring at me I like mixing it up though..outside now I go for distance instead of time, so sometimes I will go back on the treadmill and do an early week of the program at a quick speed, just to change things up. I think of it like an interval workout.

jeffrodgers1

I prefer the real life experience... 4 Seasons, all out of doors. There is something to be said for fighting the elements, whether thats -40 on New Years Day, driving spring rains, strong summer winds, or changing surfaces.

Although the treadmill has its place... it provides a much different workout than running out of doors. With a treadmill, the belt drives you at a constant pace, it's not your own iron will against the conditions, your own body setting the pace and tempo. I find it a rather boring device which is a stark contrast to running outdoors. I refer to it as the dreadmill...and if not for the outdoors, I likely would not run as far or as often.

That being said, for me, the dreadmill is a choice of last resort... when I absolutely can't get a run in outside.