What speed do you get up to on the treadmill?

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  • I started in January, doing 5.0 on the treadmill, for like 1 minute! Now I can run a mile, comfortably at 5.5, and I will run up to 6.5 on the treadmill, which I can hold for several minutes, then I will slow down to 5.5 or sometimes 3.7 to walk. Then I'll sprint again.

    Then other day I saw a girl running on the treadmill, and she looked like she had a good speed, a nice run. I was hoping she was at 6.5. Because it kind of gave me an idea of where I'm at, since I can't see myself on the treadmill.

    I snuck a peek, and she was running at 7.5! Omg, I'm a fraid to go that fast on the treadmill because I'm afraid I'll fall! Something about the ground moving that fast under my feet that worries me!

    So how fast do you all run on the treadmill? Just wondering.
  • Well gosh you are putting me to shame. I "run" at a 4.5 but mind you I SUCK at running I think the highest I've ever gone is about a 5.0.
  • I've gone 6.0 in the past for intervals, now I'm like 4.6 for a few minutes at a time.

    4.6 sounds much better than 4.5 don't you think?
  • i usually do a brisk walk on the treadmill a 3.5 or 3.7 on a good day. i always seem off balance and i'm a little afraid to try and run. lol. i don't wanna imagine that scenario. plus my knees bother me. lately i've been using the eliptical alot too for 30-40 minutes.
  • I do the first mile at 6.5, 2nd at 8 with a burst of 8.5 halfway through, 3rd mile at 7.5 and walk a half mile after that.

    The running trainer at my gym runs faster and for longer.

    We are in the training business and have been doing this for decades. While there is room for improvement where you are, in no way should you pressure yourself to go faster than you are ready to just yet.

    You'll know when to increase your speed when you get the point of barely breathing heavy at that current speed, or when your speed bores you, or when you no longer feel like you're going to fall of the treadmill!

    Keep up the great work and never let the ability of someone else get you down.
  • This is interesting, I had a similar question. I can't really run but I walk very fast at 4.5 on the treadmill at an incline and I sweat buckets because my legs have to cover more distance at a "walk".
  • My brisk walk speed is about 3.7.

    I do intervals (Run/Walk) at 5.0-5.2 Run; 3.3 Walk with a final minute at 6.0 run but that's really hard.

    However, I remember when 3.3 was hard so I am happy and impressed with my progress so far
    Quote:
    You'll know when to increase your speed when you get the point of barely breathing heavy at that current speed, or when your speed bores you, or when you no longer feel like you're going to fall of the treadmill!
    This is so true...I just "knew" when to change, I could feel it...every single time.
  • I've just started trying to get back on the treadmill myself. I alternate between 3.0 for one lap and 5.0 for the next until I reach 7 laps. On the 8th I up it to 6.0 while screaming in my head that I can finish lol. Ideally, I want to be able to consistantly go @ 6.0 within the next 6 months. Sounds like everyone is doing great, though--we all gotta start somewhere!
  • I only do 3.5 but I do intervals to the max incline. I *hate* running... even when I was on the track team in high school, it wasn't my favorite exercise.
  • are you guys all doing these speeds in miles per hour or kilometers per hour ? I'm from blighty and not sure what you work in :0)
  • I run 2.25 to 4 miles on the treadmill at 5.0, for the last quarter mile I kick it up to 6.0. Since it is nicer out now, I have been running outside. I run faster outside, but it seems slower and easier on my heart and lungs. My best pace for a 3 mile run was an average of 9:28 minutes per mile, but usually it is about 10 to 10:30.
  • Quote: I do the first mile at 6.5, 2nd at 8 with a burst of 8.5 halfway through, 3rd mile at 7.5 and walk a half mile after that.

    The running trainer at my gym runs faster and for longer.

    We are in the training business and have been doing this for decades. While there is room for improvement where you are, in no way should you pressure yourself to go faster than you are ready to just yet.

    You'll know when to increase your speed when you get the point of barely breathing heavy at that current speed, or when your speed bores you, or when you no longer feel like you're going to fall of the treadmill!

    Keep up the great work and never let the ability of someone else get you down.
    Good point! There was a time when 6.0 seemed scarey! And now I'm ok with it.

    I do 3 miles all together in about 40 minutes. This includes walking for a few minutes in the beginning to warm up and walking for a few minutes at the end to cool down. I'd like to do a 5K next month. Unfortunately I can not get outside to run. I have 2 kids, and no jogging stroller! I already pay a gym membership with childcare. M husband will watch the kids for me to run the race, but not to train outside. I know the treadmill is easier than outside, at least for me it is. So I'm expecting to have a slower time when I actually run a 5K.
  • I think only YOU can tell if you're going at the right pace. Everyone has a different stride and you shouldn't compare yourself to someone else. I have shorter legs and don't have a long stride so I can't be expected to be able to keep up with someone who has much longer legs. Also some people just have stronger legs than others. Do what you know is the right pace for YOU!
  • I start off at 6.5km/h (4 mph) for approx a minute or two, then up it to 11.5km/h (7.15mph) and vary between the two. Jog as long as I can and then walk briskly to recover, then go again. do this at the moment for 2km - Best time is 13 minutes 42 seconds. I too sometimes feel unstable on the treadmill and move from side to side as I jog, havnt fell off yet. Really just run at whatever you are comfortbale at. We all have different starting fitness levels, and other things come into play too such as medical conditions, muscle, etc. Just start out at a set either distance or time, and every day you do, try beat your best time. This keeps you driven in trying to beat your previous best, and when you beat it, you can up it a speed or level and repeat it. You would be surpised, in approx 8 weeks I have knocked over 2.5 minutes off my 2km time.
  • I start with a slow walk then work up to walking 4.2 to 4.3. First time I run I'll do 5.5 to 5.9. Second interval set I usually bump up to 6.5 to 7.0, and if I'm feeling really froggy, I've gone as high as 7.5 to 8.0 for a minute at a time.