5k ppl

CrabbyCancerMama
CrabbyCancerMama Posts: 95 Member
edited November 13 in Fitness and Exercise
I run a 5k each day I workout (5x a week) on a treadmill how will I know when I'm ready to run an actual 5k race? I usually complete it in 36min at the gym if that helps. I've never ran outside before

Replies

  • dmmfox
    dmmfox Posts: 45 Member
    Get outside and go for it. Maybe find a loop or track to give you a sense of security in case you're scared of not finishing. You're probably already ready really. Lots of people walk parts of their first race(s).
  • rickc74
    rickc74 Posts: 416 Member
    If the weather where you are allows, get outside and run. It's so much nicer! If you run 5k 5 times a week, you are ready for a race. Have fun with it :)
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    You are ready now! Great job.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,748 Member
    You're definitely ready now. It would be a good idea to do some running outside before you actually try a race, because street running is different, but it isn't necessary. You will probably find that your race time is faster than your TM time, if the race isn't too crowded. If you want to get faster after you race your first, try running one day a week longer than 3 miles, to build your endurance. Have fun.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    I run a 5k each day I workout (5x a week) on a treadmill how will I know when I'm ready to run an actual 5k race? I usually complete it in 36min at the gym if that helps. I've never ran outside before

    now... sign up for one and start running outside...
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Sounds like you've been ready for a while. Go sign up today. Bet you could find a Turkey Trot that would make a great first race!
  • fattothinmum
    fattothinmum Posts: 218 Member
    Go outside before a race. It's a whole different world of uneven ground, wind, cars, and much more interesting. To start with, it can be harder, but after a few runs, you adjust to outside. I started on treadmill and use it if weather is too hot or really bad, but otherwise, I prefer outside now.

    The bonus to outside for me is that I cover 5k much faster than I do on a treadmill.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    See if you can run 5k outside on the actual ground first. my sister can run 3 miles on her treadmill, but can't even run a mile on the actual ground.

    On a treadmill, your not actually running. You're keeping up with a belt that is moving. Actually pushing your body along the ground is a whole other game.
  • bketchum1981
    bketchum1981 Posts: 130 Member
    The first time I attempted running was on a treadmill probably five years ago. I felt the thrust of the treadmill was what kept me moving. Fast forward two years ago. I joined a fitness studio with a variety of strength and cardio.! I go there on average 3 workouts a week. Just this summer I started running outdoors. I'm convinced the strength and endurance gained at the fitness studio was a directly to related with my ability to RUN my first 5k. I'm 53. If I can do it, anyone can build up to it!
  • rsb1023
    rsb1023 Posts: 32 Member
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    See if you can run 5k outside on the actual ground first. my sister can run 3 miles on her treadmill, but can't even run a mile on the actual ground.

    On a treadmill, your not actually running. You're keeping up with a belt that is moving. Actually pushing your body along the ground is a whole other game.

    I'm the opposite I can run 3.1 no problem outside but I can barely do 2 miles on a treadmill.

  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited November 2016
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    See if you can run 5k outside on the actual ground first. my sister can run 3 miles on her treadmill, but can't even run a mile on the actual ground.

    On a treadmill, your not actually running. You're keeping up with a belt that is moving. Actually pushing your body along the ground is a whole other game.

    I find running outside easier than running on the treadmill. My pace outdoors is effortlessly faster and with a lower RPE (even at the same heart rate) than it is on a treadmill. I can also run further outdoors, probably mostly because I'm not dying of boredom as I usually am on a treadmill.

    As to the OP's question - you're ready for a 5K race anytime you're ready to try it. If you've been running 5K five times a week on the treadmill, you shouldn't have any problem completing it. And you'll probably do it faster than you've been doing it on the treadmill, if for no other reason than the adrenaline and the competition with the people around you.
  • Marg672
    Marg672 Posts: 48 Member
    You are ready! I have been doing 5k's for 3 years now. I walk them. I started after my back surgery as a celebration because I could walk again. Don't worry about time run/ walk it, hey, first one will always be your PR to start with.

    Enjoy yourself!
  • Ultima_Morpha
    Ultima_Morpha Posts: 892 Member
    I trained for my first 5k entirely on the treadmill and elliptical. Are you using any incline when you're running on the treadmill? While nothing will really stimulate road running, a 3-5% incline will help prepare you...and I find it eases some of the stress on my knees and back when I'm on the "dreadmill".

    A year ago I couldn't run a mile without stopping...indoors or out. Now I'm running outside up to 70 miles a week!
  • distinctlybeautiful
    distinctlybeautiful Posts: 1,041 Member
    My biggest challenge when running outside (which I don't do often) is pacing myself. I find it's really easy to run too fast and tire myself out quickly. Just something to think about..
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I run a 5k each day I workout (5x a week) on a treadmill how will I know when I'm ready to run an actual 5k race? I usually complete it in 36min at the gym if that helps. I've never ran outside before

    Just go do it. I'm sure you will be fine. I'd probably do a few runs outside first, because you want to be familiar with the differences in how it feels and know how to pace yourself, but 5K isn't that far, and I know people who have even done the majority of their marathon training on the treadmill (over a winter). Personally, I wouldn't as I hate long runs on a treadmill and would deal with most weather to avoid that, but it worked for them.

    When I started back running I was doing 2-3 miles on a treadmill (horrible winter of 2014) and just before St. Patrick's Day ran outside for the first time and did over 3 miles--it felt so good to be outside! So no reason to worry about being able to complete the distance IMO.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited November 2016
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    See if you can run 5k outside on the actual ground first. my sister can run 3 miles on her treadmill, but can't even run a mile on the actual ground.

    On a treadmill, your not actually running. You're keeping up with a belt that is moving. Actually pushing your body along the ground is a whole other game.

    Nope, it's really not. If you can run 3 miles on a treadmill you can run 3 miles outside.
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    See if you can run 5k outside on the actual ground first. my sister can run 3 miles on her treadmill, but can't even run a mile on the actual ground.

    On a treadmill, your not actually running. You're keeping up with a belt that is moving. Actually pushing your body along the ground is a whole other game.

    I find running outside easier than running on the treadmill. My pace outdoors is effortlessly faster and with a lower RPE (even at the same heart rate) than it is on a treadmill. I can also run further outdoors, probably mostly because I'm not dying of boredom as I usually am on a treadmill.

    This was my experience -- I was struggling to do 3 miles on the treadmill in March '14 and figured it was because I was quite fat still, but as soon as I started running outside I easily increased to 5 miles with no difficulty (slow pace, though) -- turned out it wasn't as much my fitness (although that continued to improve a lot as I lost weight) but that I was bored on the treadmill and did much better outdoors.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    What do you mean on a treadmill you're not actually running?
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    Sued0nim wrote: »
    What do you mean on a treadmill you're not actually running?

    The treadmill is like, you know, one of those grocery store conveyor belts. And you're merely doing some slapstick comedian's pathetic attempt not to fall while you're on it. Or something.

    I'm dying to know where an indoor track comes on this hierarchy of surface materials.
  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 1,283 Member
    My biggest challenge when running outside (which I don't do often) is pacing myself. I find it's really easy to run too fast and tire myself out quickly. Just something to think about..

    I highly recommend getting a Garmin watch.
  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 1,283 Member
    edited November 2016
    Sued0nim wrote: »
    What do you mean on a treadmill you're not actually running?

    Don't worry, running on a TM is running. I did most of the training for my last half marathon on the TM.
  • Getfitat54
    Getfitat54 Posts: 526 Member
    As a truly novie runner..... I've never run on a treadmill.
    I will be starting my 4th Holiday Streak, in the past I've run in cold (well for Alabama cold.... I think the coldest was 27), I've run in ther rain... THAT was cold.

    Check out and consider joining my 2017 Holiday Streak http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/117056-2017-holiday-streak
  • aplcr944
    aplcr944 Posts: 1 Member
    I've run a 5K every month this year with my wife (I missed May and she missed Oct due to injury/illness) and you can run walk jog or any combination thereof to complete it. The running community, at least where I am, are very helpful and encouraging. Just sign up for any race as soon as you can and go do it. You are only competing against yourself. It's fun, sometimes you get a t-shirt and like I mentioned it's a friendly community.

    Personally I never run on a treadmill, kudos to you for that.

    You might want to try and vary your runs in length, time, effort. This will help for when you do a "race" and it will also help you to decrease your time and increase your mileage.

    Good luck!
  • thunder1982
    thunder1982 Posts: 280 Member
    Have a look and see if there is a park run near you. They time your run but its not competitive, some people walk or walk/run. My local one is 5k, I am reasonably sure they are all around this distance.
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