Couch to 5K Question

johnm8703
johnm8703 Posts: 118 Member
edited November 14 in Fitness and Exercise
This question is for anyone doing the C25K program. I want to get started back on it but with the Polar Vortex that is the US Northeast I'm not quite ready to go outside with it yet. So I was thinking about starting it on the indoor track at my local Y. My question is does anyone do this in on an inside track and if so what have your thoughts been doing it inside vs outside? I've only done it outside in the past.
Thanks!

Replies

  • zamphir66
    zamphir66 Posts: 582 Member
    I have to use the track when it rains/is cold. Other than being somewhat boring and having to lap the silver sneakers, it's kind of the same.
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    I think as long as you're moving, you're doing it right. I prefer to run outside, but you can do C25K on an indoor track or even a treadmill. Where in the Northeast are you? I'm in South Jersey (the only Jersey that matters) and I ran last night outside and plan to do so again tonight.
  • pinkiezoom
    pinkiezoom Posts: 409 Member
    I have had to some of mine on the treadmill so i think as long as you are moving its a win :smile:
  • johnm8703
    johnm8703 Posts: 118 Member
    Thank you all for your insight. I think that my biggest fear of going inside is the "boredom factor" Just need to get some new upbeat tunes to keep me going! ;-)

    tincanonastring - I'm north of Albany, NY. I just saw a little bit of grass poking through the snow. ;-)
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    johnm8703 wrote: »
    Thank you all for your insight. I think that my biggest fear of going inside is the "boredom factor" Just need to get some new upbeat tunes to keep me going! ;-)

    tincanonastring - I'm north of Albany, NY. I just saw a little bit of grass poking through the snow. ;-)

    What's the temp? As a rule, I run outside unless the temperature dips below 10F, and even then, I'll consider it if it's not too windy and/or there's no precipitation. Just throw on a pair of longjohn's a couple shirts and a hoody, and wear a hat and gloves. The exercise will keep you warm.
  • tat2cookie
    tat2cookie Posts: 1,899 Member
    I've done 90% of mine inside. In the beginning I listened to books or podcasts. Now I just crank up the music and try to beat my time. Though I do prefer running outside.
  • tcmavon
    tcmavon Posts: 1 Member
    Four years ago in January, I started a C25K by walking/running the small indoor track at our YMCA. I live in North Dakota so running outside in January was not on my list of fun things to do. Today I am running half marathons. Sometimes I have to train indoors. My point is, the weather will not always cooperate with your plans. You have to plan around the weather. If you wait for good weather to run outside, you will have cheated yourself out of a month or so of fitness. Go to the indoor track, put on some good music in the background, listen to the voice that tells you when to walk and when to run and "just do it"! When the weather is nice enough to run outside, you will be that much further ahead and able to run more and enjoy the outdoors! Good luck!
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    zamphir66 wrote: »
    I have to use the track when it rains/is cold. Other than being somewhat boring and having to lap the silver sneakers, it's kind of the same.

    +1

    When I did it, I had the opposite problem. 100+ temps and running over my lunch hour. Outside was not going to happen. I used the indoor track. Only issue other than boredom is that if you go the same direction all of the time, and the track is really short like mine is, you're prone to develop an unbalanced gait and to put more stress on the inside leg.

    Solution is to alternate directions as much as you can. Too bad my gym alternates every day, meaning that going alternate days on a C25K program means you're always going the same direction. I ended up having to go MWF, then TRSat so I could at least alternate by week.
  • aarar
    aarar Posts: 684 Member
    When I first started running I did it all on an indoor track. I didn't actually take it outside until I had been running for about 4 months. There's definitely a difference (indoor is much easier on your body) and you'll notice it once you start going outside again; it took me a about a week to get used to it.
  • haysavam
    haysavam Posts: 74 Member
    johnm8703 wrote: »
    This question is for anyone doing the C25K program. I want to get started back on it but with the Polar Vortex that is the US Northeast I'm not quite ready to go outside with it yet. So I was thinking about starting it on the indoor track at my local Y. My question is does anyone do this in on an inside track and if so what have your thoughts been doing it inside vs outside? I've only done it outside in the past.
    Thanks!

    I completed C25k at the end of January. I live in the northern Midwest and I did not take a step outside (ok, I did twice I think in February on nice days). Other than those two, I ran on a treadmill and I actually preferred it. I have a problem with pacing myself. I start out too fast and burn out quickly, which causes me to fail at finishing a day. But with the treadmill I was able to really kind of learn what my pace was.

    Now that've I've completed it and I'm running outside its awesome!!!!! (I use mapmyrun to get better)
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