It seems like most of you run outside. Anyone else a treadmill runner like me? I'm more likely to get my work-out in if it is in a nice climate controlled gym than with the crazy weather in Minnesota. There is no way I plan on running outdoors in the below zero winter and the same holds true for the oppressive heat and humidity of summer!
I run on a TM as well. Weather isn't a huge issue where I am, but I started on a TM for a couple of different reasons. First, I have some bum joints. If I run on pavement or concrete for any length of time, I can end up in some pain and my recovery time is much longer. I'm hopeful that after dropping some weight and becoming more efficient, running on hard surfaces won't be that big of a deal. I can walk/jog with my dogs now outside (usually at night), but no way could I jog for 20 minutes on pavement.
And second, I just don't have the confidence to run in broad daylight in front of people. Even though I've completed the c25k program on the TM, it still feels like I'm flailing about, not really "running." And if I've gone for any length of time, I'm a snotting, heaving, sweaty mess. Yeah, it's dumb, but the thought of people seeing me in such a state keeps me from really pushing myself. So at home on the TM it is!
SusanMay: I am in MN too. I run on the treadmill. It is too HOT to run outside for me. This heat streat is horrible. What I would do for the high 70s.
Barnyard: I understand the whole sweaty heaving mess thing. I workout at the gym and do feel insecure sometimes, but my apt is too small for a treadmill. You are running and I don't think it matters where! Awesome job!
@ SusanMay: Treadmill runner here too! I want to finish the program on the treadmill, and once I can comfortably run I want to move outside. Plus, here in NC it's way too hot to be running outside!
treadmill runner here too... I love it. It really helps because the other lady I run with has really long legs and naturally runs at a faster pace. Running on the treadmill allows us to do the C25K workouts together, whereas when we tried running the other night, we were totally off.
Completed W3,D2 tonight, although we have been repeating weeks... so we've been at it more like 5 weeks now.
I am on the treadmill too. At home though and it can get hot. No mosquitos though!!! I plan on running outside in fall. We have quite cold winters here and I don't plan on running outside then. That's why we bought a treadmill. No excuses unless we have a power outage and 2ft snow at the same time. Which can happen!
W5D1 completed. I totally rocked it. In fact, I did W5D1 x2 today.
2 days ago my mp3 broke so I had to run using "distance" rather than "minutes" like usual. And it totally helped me today. I think I ran around 10 minutes straight 2 days ago, so today, 5 minutes is really nothing at all, that's why I did repeat it after the 5 minutes cool down. I'll move up to W5D2 tomorrow.
But I don't feel as scared as I used to. Since I'm pretty sure I can rock it
So happy to find a bunch of fellow treadmill runners here!
I have a question for anyone who can help out. I'm doing W5D2 tonight and will be doing the 8 minute runs. When you are doing a longer run, do you vary your speed on the treadmill throughout, or just keep a steady pace? When I hit W4D1 I realized that the short bursts of running that I had been doing were just fine at 5mph, but when I started hitting the 5 minute runs, I couldn't run the whole program at that fast of a pace. I bumped all of my running down to 4.5 mph (walking has always been at 3 mph) and I was fine. When I do my 8 minute runs tonight, should I try run the whole time at 4.5 mph, or should I vary it up to make sure I have the endurance to finish? Any opinions?
BarnyardPunch - Years ago I felt like you about exercising in public. I gained a bunch of weight my senior year of college (too much drinking is my guess... ) and when I started my first job, I wouldn't even go work out at the company fitness center. Curves was the only gym I felt comfortable going to, and I had to build up a ton of courage to go in and join. I think it's sad that we live in a world where people feel like they need to be fit before they can go to a gym. Now, 12 years and 2 kids later, I don't care so much about how I look when I'm working out. Sweat is a symbol of accomplishment to me, and I've never sweat so much as I do now running. At this point in my life, I'm just happy that I can find some time to get my rear to the gym, and I wish we had a treadmill at home just so I could sneak in some extra work-out time! Though, I have to admit I must have looked pretty terrible after one of my runs a few weeks ago, because when I was signing out (I work out at my husband's company gym), the front desk security guard asked me if I was okay!
iamerican - I am so dang sick of this humidity. I hate walking outside and feeling like I'm covered with a warm damp blanket.
Susan, you should go at a pace that you feel you can maintain. And it's totally okay to switch it as you run, if you start too strong, you can click the speed down. If you start and want to go faster, just ramp it up a little bit. Definitely pace yourself though, you want to finish strong.
I stick to one pace! To find the right speed try running for a bit and see if you can still talk. If you can't, you are going to fast. If you can easily talk, bump it up a bit. You should be able to talk but with somewhat difficulty
Susan, I do what PacSunMama does! Don't be concerned with maintaining a steady pace the entire way - the important thing is that you keep running to build up the endurance. I went through weeks 2-5 once on a treadmill and I would bump it up or down as I needed.
On another note, I just got done with W7D1 tonight. I went running at about 8:30 PM, when the sun was down and the temp was at about 82 degrees. I actually covered more ground than I did on my first 25 min run too! I guess I'm definitely a cool weather runner. Once autumn comes around and the highs fall into the 70's, I'm gonna be sailing through my runs. Hopefully by then I will be done with the C25k and have built up distance, and then I'll be able to work on pace to get back to a 29 min 5k! (I'm pretty sure I'm running about 11 minute miles right now, so I'll have to kick it up once I'm done with the program.)
W5D2 completed.
It was a bit hard, but I managed to finish it PLUS 1 more 8 minutes running interval (even though I ran very slow in that extra interval). My legs were almost like jello today after the run.
Tomorrow I'll repeat W5D2 and then W5D3 will be on Sunday. (Just to build up some endurance). But i haven't had a rest day in between this week, so i'm also concerned with should I take tomorrow as a rest day, or just go for it.... I think I have energy, but it's all in my mind that I have to keep pushing my body or it'll just set to where it's comfortable. What do you guys think? (it's been 5 days constantly that i run - if count tmr and Sunday, it'll be 7 straight days without rest day).
Also, I'm scared just thinking about running 20 minutes without walking.....
Just not sure if i'm up to it yet.... ANyone is going for W5D3 ? How did you guys manage to past it....I'm so scared right now >"<
Annita, I was scared too! I somehow just did it. I think the program is really well paced. If they say you can do it, you can! Stay relaxed and go for it. You will be surprised!
I am on my last run of the program tonight. I still can't believe it but I can run 30 minutes straight.
Since I'm pretty sure I can rock it 
) and when I started my first job, I wouldn't even go work out at the company fitness center. Curves was the only gym I felt comfortable going to, and I had to build up a ton of courage to go in and join. I think it's sad that we live in a world where people feel like they need to be fit before they can go to a gym. Now, 12 years and 2 kids later, I don't care so much about how I look when I'm working out. Sweat is a symbol of accomplishment to me, and I've never sweat so much as I do now running. At this point in my life, I'm just happy that I can find some time to get my rear to the gym, and I wish we had a treadmill at home just so I could sneak in some extra work-out time! Though, I have to admit I must have looked pretty terrible after one of my runs a few weeks ago, because when I was signing out (I work out at my husband's company gym), the front desk security guard asked me if I was okay! 
