Treadmill vs Outside

[crawford501]

Just now starting on week 1 and am using a treadmill to run on in preparation for a 5k in October. A friend said treadmill isn't good and that I should be running outside however I like it because of the set speeds. I do my brisk walk at 3mph and run at 6.5mph. Also it let's me stay in AC, I live Arkansas with 100 degree heat and high humidity, and I can watch TV which really takes my mind off the running. So is my friend right, is running outside that much better? Also what about mu speeds, do those sound about right for a beginner? I realize it varies by person

[ssdguy]

I'm not an expert but I agree with your friend, if you are planning on running a 5k I would run outside. Running outside is more difficult because you don't have a machine propelling you. You are pushing yourself to keep a certain pace. If you want to check your pace, there are other apps like RunKeeper that you can run at the same time as GetRunning

Don't worry about timing, just make sure you are keeping a consistent pace. That was my biggest struggle, I would slow down and speed up quite a bit on my runs. When you get to the longer runs, you learn to keep a certain pace in order to finish the workout.

The heat was a big issue during the heat wave in my town . I would wait until 8:30 or 9:00 pm at night until it cooled down enough to run. The humidity was still high but there was no sun beating down on me. If you can work your schedule out, try morning runs, they are fantastic because its still cool out.

Also, go get fitted for running shoes. Its worth the investment if you are running on pavement. I had knee issues until I got my new running shoes.

[starknut]

If you set your treadmill to an incline of 1 or 2%, this helps simulate an outdoor run so the transition from indoors to outside is much easier. Your speeds sound great, I run at 4.5! I do my sprints at 6! You're already way faster than me.

[Courtney24107]

Whichever one you think is best sounds like the best idea like the person above says, I agree that running outside would give you a feel of what you're going to be doing on your 5k race. I'm in Texas and its 100 degrees all week D: I just wait until 9:30 pm and it feels fantastic. If its not safe where you are to run at that time, I'd say get up at about 6am and just go for it!!

[Lauraeliza30]

I ran on the treadmill until about week 4, then I transitioned outside and I am so glad I did. Now that I am in Week 8 the thought of running for 28 minutes straight on a treadmill bores me. I have had to take some runs to the treadmill because of a massive heat wave in Colorado and I just can't do it. I do a form a walking and running and it isn't because I physically can't run on the treadmill it is that brain just gets bored. The running walking combo seems to work not sure why. I would imagine as you get further along it will be difficult for you to run at such a fast speed so remember to slow down if you need to as your running times get longer, but kudos to you on such awesome progress. I have two friends who did the entire program on the treadmill and only ran their last run outside and then did a 5k and they struggled A LOT! I understand the need for the treadmill for now but if it cools off at some point I highly suggest trying a run or two outside. Good luck to you and keep us updated.