C25K on a treadmill
xtrout
Posts: 193 Member
So winter has hit us and rain if curtailing my morning runs. Trying to run when the weather is better in the afternoons. So I am thinking that on rainy days, I can maybe go the clubhouse and jump on a treadmill. I was wondering if anyone has experience with modern treadmills? meaning, how do you switch from walking to running. Do you have to push a button? or do they sense your change of pace and roll accordingly. I do realize that each make/model might be different but I think the last time I used one, it was just a rubber belt on rollers and not the motorized one. I haven't even looked at them yet so I am not sure what to expect.
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The treadmill I use at the gym has a variety of built in programs and I use one that asks my weight, length of exercise session, maximum speed, and maximum incline. I am currently setting it for about 48 minutes at a max speed of 4.5 mph and 0 incline. That causes it to start at a walk and work up to 4.5 over a few minutes and then vary from 4.5 to 4.1 and 4.3 over the course of the time until slowly working back down at the last few minutes. It then goes into a 2 minute cool down session. There are other more intense workouts I could program it for but for now that simulates actually running on a flat track. You will need to look at the options on your particular model. Also, if you use a HRM, it may talk to the treadmill (mine does) and it will display updates on that info. as well.0
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I started C25K on the treadmill then switched to outdoor running around week 3, about 2 months ago. Last night I had no choice but to jump on the treadmill for the same reasons you said. Let me tell ya, I HATED it . It was like 60 minutes of pure torture. Through C25K I've really begun to enjoy running outside , it doesn't feel like exercise anymore. On the treadmill it felt like exercise again. Like you, I'm really struggling with what I'm going to do through the winter. I may switch gyms to one that has an indoor track.
To answer your original question: You do have to push a button to change speed, not just once but several times. Each press of the button would change the speed by .1 or .2 mph. I often think a non-motorized one would be better for runners. Also, set the incline to at least 1 to "mimic" outdoors.0 -
Thanks for the info all. Sounds more complicated on a treadmill. Think I will just use breaks in the weather. Forecast looks good for the rest of the week so I'll stick with outdoors.0
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I have a button called speed intervalls. I can switch between running and walking at a pace I have set before.
Currently I have only the treadmill experience as I know winter was comming and there is a possibility that I can not finish the C25K outdoors (plus who am i kidding, I am scared to run outdoors, cause I think I can't do it, it is on the list for new year though!)0 -
I've done all but one of my 5 sessions so far on a treadmill. I found the one I did W1D3 outside harder as I wasn't good at pacing myself re speed and I had slight hills to cope with. I also felt strange jogging outside as I am still overweight and unfit. I tried to get an app working on my phone to tell me when to change pace but when I added music the prompts stopped
. At least with the treadmill I know when to change pace and can deliberately make the jogging at a fairly slow 5mph. I am a little nervous about the longer runs but stretched out the final run of W2 to 2.5 min and coped ok today. Good luck with your progress. 0 -
I did most of weeks one and two on the treadmill. Don't worry about getting on a treadmill - most of them are really simple to operate and have up and down buttons so if you're going to fast or too slow it's easy to adjust. Although, I agree that you might have difficulty making the switch. If it's the only option during inclement weather it's better than nothing. Good luck!0
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I started the program running outside, but the weather here quickly put an end to that around W3. I had to switch to the treadmill and I have mixed feelings. I feel like I can improve my form and keep a more consistent pace on the treadmill, but I miss the outdoors just for the environment. My fitness center has tv's on each treadmill so, like today, I found a James Bond movie, turned the volume up, and went at it! It takes a little adjustment but, for me, it was either move it indoors or halt the program...and that wasn't an option for me. Good luck! I think you will do great! Maybe give yourself a little extra time to just play with the treadmill to get comfortable with using it.0
