Should I just quit trying treadmill?

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Replies

  • ElizabethWillNotFail
    ElizabethWillNotFail Posts: 35 Member
    I couldn't run a mile without walking half of it the first week of September, and now I can run 60 minutes with no walking. Here were the secrets for me:

    1) Don't be ashamed of walking. Run/job for a few minutes or whatever you can, and then walk for a few minutes. Then Run/jog again, and then walk for a few minutes. After time your walking will begin to reduce and your runs will get longer.

    2) MIX IT UP and keep it interesting. For example when you walk try to increase the incline maybe to 2-4%. Or when you when you run go harder on a few of the intervals (HIIT), but keep the durration lower. Then walk again. Then do a slower jog but with a longer durration. Keep it interesting and grow into your abilities.

    3) Mix up your cardio to keep it interesting. I love to run, but at 42 it's not as easy on my body as when I was in High School. So I mix some eliptical as well every other or every 3rd or 4th cardio session to keep the pounding down a bit. Or try to add some biking or anything else that will give you a good burn, but simply change it up from time to time.

    I hope that helps and YOU CAN DO IT!!!

    Thank you, I guess my problem is that I've always felt that walking was a waste of time on the treadmill because of the fewer calories you burn when you walk. I will restart Treadmill today and try the intervals and build it from there.
  • ElizabethWillNotFail
    ElizabethWillNotFail Posts: 35 Member

    Fortunately, I got over myself and started getting some mileage. Last week I finished my first marathon. ;) It only took 8 years and 80 lbs to get there!


    That's inspiring.

    Thank you
  • mrsgrimsdale
    mrsgrimsdale Posts: 60
    Say what you want about running on a treadmill, but there is no way I am running outside in 20 degree weather with 3 inches of slushy, snow-ice crappola all over every sidewalk and street from about now through May.

    I enjoy running outside but I also enjoy the small comfort of running in shorts in a temperature controlled gym on a treadmill as well.
    ^^ This plus my OH knows where I am and that I haven't fallen/injured myself in some isolated area or been attacked on the streets. He gets peace of mind I get comfort and whether I use the elyptical or treadmill depends on how my arthritic knees and hips are feeling.

    PS if I want to stop and rest have a couple of minutes sit down, or change to free-weights for a while I can, there is no way I can do that on the track or road
  • acoustictones
    acoustictones Posts: 47
    I couldn't run a mile without walking half of it the first week of September, and now I can run 60 minutes with no walking. Here were the secrets for me:

    1) Don't be ashamed of walking. Run/job for a few minutes or whatever you can, and then walk for a few minutes. Then Run/jog again, and then walk for a few minutes. After time your walking will begin to reduce and your runs will get longer.

    2) MIX IT UP and keep it interesting. For example when you walk try to increase the incline maybe to 2-4%. Or when you when you run go harder on a few of the intervals (HIIT), but keep the durration lower. Then walk again. Then do a slower jog but with a longer durration. Keep it interesting and grow into your abilities.

    3) Mix up your cardio to keep it interesting. I love to run, but at 42 it's not as easy on my body as when I was in High School. So I mix some eliptical as well every other or every 3rd or 4th cardio session to keep the pounding down a bit. Or try to add some biking or anything else that will give you a good burn, but simply change it up from time to time.

    I hope that helps and YOU CAN DO IT!!!

    Thank you, I guess my problem is that I've always felt that walking was a waste of time on the treadmill because of the fewer calories you burn when you walk. I will restart Treadmill today and try the intervals and build it from there.

    Feel free to message me with your email address if you'd like me to email a PDF copy of a walk/run study. To many people stop running because they feel that they are waisting time by doing a little running/jogging and then walking. There are a lot of trainers that promote this. You still get a ton of benefits from it and you end up getting where you want to be with it over time. I ran for 20 years and ended up having to take time off due to arthritis and surgeries. I hadn't run in over 3 years as of September and there is no way I could make it a mile without walking half of it. It was depressing and demoralizing for me (affects everyone differently), but I kept it up until I could walk/jog 2 miles. Then walk job 3-4. Etc. I'm now running at a very good pace for a full hour with NO walking. I can't tell you how happy I am that I did not let my ego or depression win the battle... and for me it really was discouraging that I couldn't even jog a mile after running for over 20 years. I used to run the mile in under 5 minutes and 5k's in 15:45, and I had to just realize that doing a walk/jog routine for awhile was all my body could handle.

    All my best to you. Again I say YOU CAN DO IT!!! :)
  • Mavalicous
    Mavalicous Posts: 52 Member
    I prefer jogging so much more outside. I can measure out the distance I WANT to run and know if I jog there I have to get back, so there's no "STOP" button where I can just give in. And if I have to come back from that point I might as well push myself and try and jog it out. I went from being unable to jog a half mile a month ago to running 3.1 miles. (And I was doing this in the morning AND after work.)

    Then the cold hit and I got sick trying to run outside.:(

    I now go to the gym and use the treadmill exclusively. It's hard not to get bored but using the ipod on the treadmill has been great. Some tunes ar really great and inspiring that I do my little Rocky impersonation and I throw jabs as I'm jogging..lol I prolly look like a dork. Even with the tunes I can't seem to muster more than appx 2.25 miles before I stop. I miss running outside and can't wait until it starts warming up!

    As another one suggested, slow down the speed when ya get tired and walk a bit and you get to where you WANT to run because it feels like you're reenergized and you'll be able to jog a but longer as opposed to just stopping and giving up.
  • Brad805
    Brad805 Posts: 289 Member
    What machine you use is not all that important unless you have maxed out its capabilities. Without a HRM you can judge the intensity level using the rate of perceived exertion scale (see link below). Do what you can and it will all come with time and persistence.

    http://trilifecoaching.blogspot.ca/2010/06/importance-of-rpe.html
  • mojohowitz
    mojohowitz Posts: 900 Member
    Say what you want about running on a treadmill, but there is no way I am running outside in 20 degree weather with 3 inches of slushy, snow-ice crappola all over every sidewalk and street from about now through May.

    I enjoy running outside but I also enjoy the small comfort of running in shorts in a temperature controlled gym on a treadmill as well.

    No thanks. Treadmills are great but there is no better feeling than finishing a strong run in the snow, rain, freezing temps or blazing sun. You have to be safe but challenging the elements is half the fun!!!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    well then we would call you a quitter...
    is that a good thing?
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Why would you give up on the treadmill? Shouldn't it be about improving yourself?
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    I would also suggest C25K.

    I've struggled with running for the last 18 months but never giving in. Finally yesterday I managed to hit the 2 miles mark and run for 27 minutes. My previous best was 15 mins maximum and the runners high was amazing and worth the effort.

    Keep going and you will finally get there.
  • mheebner
    mheebner Posts: 285 Member
    Treadmills are great but there is no better feeling than finishing a strong run in the snow, rain, freezing temps or blazing sun. You have to be safe but challenging the elements is half the fun!!!

    meh....I love running don't get me wrong but the best feeling I have ever had was bench pressing my body weight. The second best however was the first time I finished a 5k.
    I run because I enjoy the run whether that be outside or inside.
  • katimama
    katimama Posts: 191 Member
    I would also suggest C25K.

    I've struggled with running for the last 18 months but never giving in. Finally yesterday I managed to hit the 2 miles mark and run for 27 minutes. My previous best was 15 mins maximum and the runners high was amazing and worth the effort.

    Keep going and you will finally get there.

    Runners high ... I want THAT! Just started up on the treadmill a few days ago and have downloaded C25K on my phone.
  • Inshape13
    Inshape13 Posts: 680 Member
    Running is a whole different story than the ellipitical or arc trainer or any of those other machines. It takes a lot of diligence and getting used to it and there really is not a way to just jump right into it. I can run 5 miles including hills, but in the beginning I was struggling for just a quarter mile and I did cardio like a mad woman and considered myself to be in pretty good shape. Don't give up and just work your way up by using C25K or something like that....you will get there. Don't overlook weight training either because there are a lot of benefits to it and doing circuit is a good way to get a great workout while incorporating weights also. Best of luck to you!
  • gamerkiwi
    gamerkiwi Posts: 93 Member
    Yes, do hill sprints and burn more calories, even when you sleep.
  • angie007az
    angie007az Posts: 406 Member
    Pay more attention to your diet. It's mostly what you eat. Eat less, move more.
  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,035 Member
    If you're just starting to run, doing it outside is MUCH easier than on a treadmill. Button mashing to get the speed up/down to where you need it is so annoying... hopefully it's not frozen where you're at so you can, but if it is, just try taking it slower. start jogging at say 4 mph instead of the 5/6 it recommends for jogging. Just get used to that bouncy kinda movement for jogging. Then eventually you'll be able to start picking up the speed just a little bit at a time and it won't be so hard.

    But, if you really hate it, then do something else. Doing something is better than nothing, and chances are you won't stick with something you hate doing (though running is great, if you do get a chance to start it really is something you come to love :smile: ... usually, lol)

    Couch to 5 k (C25k) is a good program to start running with.
  • DEEDLYNN
    DEEDLYNN Posts: 235 Member
    Couch 2 5 K. I'm more than 100 lbs overweight. Have never ran a day in my life until 10 weeks ago. I've now run consecutive 1.75 miles. I'm slow, but I'm doing it. I try to do one "long" run per week and then intervals to increase speed and distance. C 25 K has helped me with that. I'm now running 4-5 days a week.
  • MexicanOsmosis
    MexicanOsmosis Posts: 382 Member
    I must be weird. I prefer the treadmill to outside simply BECAUSE I can zone out. Granted, I'm just starting off, so who knows, that may eventually change.

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