Treadmill Speed?

j_bryant07
j_bryant07 Posts: 5
in Fitness and Exercise
I am relatively new to MFP. I have lost about 10lbs already on my own in a month from cutting out sugar (except for 1 tsp in my coffee) in the morning, trying to eat 'clean' 80% of the time with protein, fiber and complex carbs. trying to make an appearance in some way in every meal. I first started out on the treadmill for 30mins Monday through Friday, and trying the couch to 5K plan from the beginning. Well eventually I got bored with that and cobbled together some weird plans I found on Pinterest and do something different on the treadmill when I get bored. And about two weeks ago I started doing 30 mins treadmill, and then Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I have increased my speed running. I started out walking at 3 and running at 5. Then bumped it up to 3.5 and 6 alternating a minute walking with a minute running. Sometimes a minute and a half to two minutes running if I feel ambitious. So far I can't run for beyond 2 straight minutes at a 6 without feeling like I am going to die. However, tonight out of boredom I found that I can comfortably run and feel like I'm getting something out of it at a speed of 4.0 MPH for at least 10 minutes. I didn't try beyond that because by that time I'd already been on the treadmill for an hour.

To make a long story short, is this progress? Should I trying just running (or probably jogging) at a speed of 4.0 for as long as I can and then try and increase it at some point? I would ultimately like to be able to run without feeling like I am going to die. Thank you for any help.

Replies

  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Don't worry about speed. Run at a pace that is comfortable, where you could have a conversation. More time running will benefit you. Speed will come naturally as your fitness improves.
  • j_bryant07
    j_bryant07 Posts: 5
    That's kind of what I was thinking! Thanks! :)
  • eblakes93
    eblakes93 Posts: 372 Member
    Congrats on your weight loss and all the progress you've made so far.

    I agree with what the other poster said. :)

    I got burnt out of C25k because I was focused more on speed than time running and enjoying myself.
  • Stage14
    Stage14 Posts: 1,046 Member
    I'm currently doing C25K, and personally I agree that duration is more important than speed for me. My speed has picked up a little bit naturally as I go, and I figure once I can get to long distances run, then I can work on speed if I want to. I currently use 3.5mph for walking and 5mph for jogging when I do it on the treadmill, but I started out using 3 and 4.5.
  • Lemongrab1
    Lemongrab1 Posts: 158 Member
    While speed is not as important as the duration of your run, you need to be careful that you run fast enough to limit your 'bounce' and slow enough so that you maintain proper running form (mid-foot strike and not heel).
    I walk at 5 and run at 6, but that's only because if I run slower I bounce way too much and it affects my knees.

Categories