I think I was born to be a runner

mombieocalypse
mombieocalypse Posts: 213
in Fitness and Exercise
I was just too fat to know it. I am at the very very beginning of jogging. I am not sure I would even call what I am doing, jogging, but I love how accomplished I feel afterwards. I made it through week 4 day 2 of the C25K today. I am excited about a couple of upcoming 5k events as well.

I do have a question though. Like I said, I am jogging at a snail's pace (surprised I'm not going backwards at times), but I seem so much slower outside. I have a pedometer and I am walking at about a 2.5 and jogging at a 3.1. When I was using a treadmill I walk at a 3.5 and jog at a 4.2. I know I have a short stride (I am 5'4), but why such a big difference from the treadmill to outside?

At this point my only goal is to complete the program and then I will start over to increase speed.

Replies

  • Rgtjax85
    Rgtjax85 Posts: 99 Member
    I do not use a pedometer so I am not sure of how different it is with a treadmill. I do know that every treadmill company is different which makes the pace number a bit harder. See if it gives you options to enter that data in the treadmill. Not sure why the big difference. Running treadmills has helped me run faster. I am glad you have realized your destiny as a runner. Just keep doing your best and run that 5k with joy.
  • corsayre8
    corsayre8 Posts: 551 Member
    What is the terrain like where you live? Personally I hate the dreadmill, but have a similar experience with my trail runs and when I hit the track. At the track, I can sustain an average of 10-10.5 minute miles. But when I'm out on the trails, it is more like 13.5-14.5. Living in the mountains, I face constant hills, rock/obstacles and unsteady footing. It doesn't bother me tha I'm considerably slower, as I know I'm working harder and involving more stability muscles.
  • Sqeekyjojo
    Sqeekyjojo Posts: 704 Member
    Set an incline. The real world is rarely absolutely flat. And it takes more muscle power to stabilise yourself out there.
  • mombieocalypse
    mombieocalypse Posts: 213
    Thank you. You know the incline may be the key, but in reverse. On the treadmill I usually have an incline of 3 which helps me land my foot properly. Outside I am struggling to not land flat footed. I had to go slower to not hurt.
  • ampeterson69
    ampeterson69 Posts: 20
    What you are experiencing is very normal. The tread on the treadmill is moving so you do not have to propel yourself forward like you do running outside. An incline of 2-3 on a treadmill should give you the feel of flat terrain. If you plan to run outside (5k's and other races) it is better to train outside.

    Keep up the great work and remember no matter how slow you go you are still lapping those sitting on a couch :)
  • mombieocalypse
    mombieocalypse Posts: 213
    I'm doing the c25k outside. I love it.
  • wolfgate
    wolfgate Posts: 321 Member
    They are different from each other. I run a lot, almost always outside. When I do get on a treadmill, my pace winds up being slower by quite a bit - around a minute per mile. Effort is the same, but pace is not.

    People who started training on a treadmill often find the opposite is true. They go slower outside. Your experience, which falls there, is both normal and expected.

    You are a runner. It's a great thing to love - running. You'll find all kinds of oddities like that the more experience you gain.
  • mombieocalypse
    mombieocalypse Posts: 213
    Thank you.
    I am sick and missed yesterday's run. I am going to try the treadmill in our basement tonight b/c I think it will be easier and I just am not up to snuff yet, but I don't want to ruin all of my hard work so far.

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