c25k-- outside vs. treadmill... the quandary.

It is definitely more difficult to run outside. I wouldn't worry about your speed at this point. Endurance is more important and speed will come later. I actually started the C25K program outside and finished the last 7 days inside on a treadmill as the weather wasn't cooperating. Just ran outside the other day for the first time in awhile and I really felt the difference.

Ive tried doing it both on the treadmill and outdoors. I noticed that i burn alot more calories when I go it outside and my heart rate gets alot higher. Not sure why though.

Just take it one step at a time and work on endurance first then speed. I posted in another thread, this is my last week of my 2nd time doing the program. I did it the first time on a treadmill and when I started again outside it was as if I had never ran before. The elements are completely different and your body does work harder. I don't think I could ever run on a treadmill again. I love it outside!

I haven't done the C25K myself, but honestly, whenever I pick back up on running after a break, I don't worry about speed initially; I focus on distance first, and then let the speed come when the distance increases. And like others have said, treadmill work is a completely different feel than running outside. Heck, when I drag myself onto the treadmill (I hate them, but sometimes, they're a necessary evil), I kill speed and can average some awesome times. But those never translate outside, so I don't even compare the two.

Horses for courses - do whatever feels right. I did C25K on the treadmill.

Starting at 130kg/286lbs I didn't think my knees would appreciate tarmac. I kept myself motivated by creating a run/walk playlist on my ipod.

Got bored of C25K in week 6 and felt capable of running longer so abandoned it and just ran. Didn't get anywhere near 5K in 30 minutes of course but after another couple of weeks ran 37 minutes and nailed it. A few weeks more and I'm doing 6 or 7K, have managed 10K and got a best 5K time of 30.20

What I like least about the treadmill is the clock. Laying a towel over it helps - just get some tunes on and zone out.

Once I reached 5K and a steady pace I added 1% incline to make me work a bit harder for a few runs and last week a friend took me out for 5K outside which I did in 32.30.

Saturday I'm doing my first Parkrun 5K and hope to notch an official time.

I run outside. There are hills and i think its much more of a workout even if I'm not going as fast. I save the gym for my off days.

I run outside. There are hills and i think its much more of a workout even if I'm not going as fast. I save the gym for my off days.

This. I do the dreadmill only when I am desperate and can't stand the thought of being outside because of the weather.

Running outside is more work than a treadmill (even if you aren't going as fast) because there are slight changes in terrain, incline, etc that your body is taking into account and compensating for. You might not be able to see them but unless you are running outside on a regulation track they are there.

Also because you need the tension of your foot against the ground to push you forward instead of maintaining one spot on a moving belt. The better equivalent of running outside is setting the treadmill at a slight incline (I usually do 0.5 when I run inside). Otherwise the movement of the belt at no incline is really more like running a slight constant downhill.

Complete the program however you'd like. Run outside when you can, and inside when you can't. Don't worry about speed. Once you've completed the program start doing HIIT and that should improve your speed. Or at least that's what I've heard and what I plan on doing LOL.

From my own personal experience I would say to start outside if you can. I was on week 6 of C25K on the treadmill and was doing well then went outside for a run and had to do week 5 to be able to manage. It is much different outside and I feel like if you can do it outside you are only going to get stronger quicker because it is harder. Then the treadmill will probably seem like a breeze. At least this is what I am hoping! I have also heard of putting the incline on a treadmill up to 1.0 to mimic outdoor running a little bit more. Good luck in whatever you decide, I think consistency is the key!

Yep, still very nervous....I hope I don't embarrass myself. Luckily, I live in KS so outside is pretty flat too.

When I started running outside, it was slightly harder, but not anything like I feared it would be! The only tips I have is find a FLAT place to run, and pace yourself. It feels different than on the treadmill, so I think if people are finding it significantly harder, they're likely going much faster than they do on the treadmill. When I'm outside doing my normal pace, it feels much slower than it does on the treadmill. My only other tip is try it when it's cool out. My heart rate will instantly be 10 bpm higher when it's hotter and I can't go nearly as far or as long.

Last night, with a wonderfully cool temp of 61 degrees, I went running. I completed a 5K under the 40 minute mark (which is my goal for my race that's in 2 weeks). Now I just have to hope it's that cool in a couple week too!

I started C25K outside. Last weekend I was out of town and had to use a treadmill at the hotel gym. I found that my speed is much faster on a treadmill. Granted, I just run 4 mph on the treadmill. It also helped that I was able to plug in my headphones and watch TV while I ran.

A couple I know speed walks in my neighborhood. The other night when I was walking/running, I determined that their walk was as fast as my run. But, I have a shorter stride, I'm bigger than they are and I'm only on W3D3 (for second time). I know that I'll get faster as I'm still struggling to find my pace outside. I WILL get this if it kills me! I think I'm going to start W4D1 tonight.

Running outside takes a bit of an adjustment. It is harder, as you don't have the extra "pull" from the treadmill belt. I would say, train however you will end up running. If you plan to race, run outside... or at lest do so before the race. As you noticed, it is harder outside then on a treadmill, and you don't want to get to raceday and be surprised by the change

A friend of mine who is a sprinter says you use your muscles differently when outside compared to a treadmill, easier on the treadmill because you always have the momentum there whereas with running outside you have to make your own