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Runner's Training Tips: Treadmill "wimpy" runner

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    • CommentAuthorFree MemberLDC
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2008
     
    LDC
    Hi all, my name is Lisa and I have been running (walking/jogging) for 1 week and 1 day.  Yesterday was my first day to be able to jog 5 min. without stopping.  I know it may not sound like much, but for me it was big.  The only problem, besides being way out of shape, is that I seem to only be able to run on the treadmill.  I can jog 5 min. then walk 1 1/2 min. repeating for 3 miles without feeling like I am going to die.  However, the other day when I tried running outside I only made it about 1 min of jogging (slow jogging) and felt like an elephant running.  My legs seemed heavy and I was out of breath way too fast.  I am enjoying the treadmill, but am scared that when it is time to run a road race (5k), that my body will not be able to perform.  Any tips on outside running?  Or is it ok to build up endurance on my "crutch", a.k.a. the treadmill? 
    • CommentAuthorFree MemberRazor1208
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2008
     
    Razor1208

    Hey Lisa!

       First off congrats on starting your running! Hopefully it becomes something that sticks with you for the rest of your life. You have to remember to start slow. Don't try to over push yourself. When you do this you will start to dread your run everyday. Your run should be something you look forward to! I look forward to every run I do, given sometimes while doing the run I am not enjoying it, but in the end I know how it will make me feel, and the sense of accomplishment I will get!

     

    As for your "crutch" It is good to run anywhere you can, but if you plan to do a race than you must get your body used to running outside. Was it a really hot or humid day? If it was than that definetely had an effect on you. The more you run in the heat and humidity the more your body will adapt. You will notice a difference in as little as 1-2 weeks if you stay consistant.

     Another thing that might have effected you was your physical shape. If you have been running on the treadmill and it is the first time in a while your body is probably very tired. Don't forget to take rest days, weather you ran outside or on the treadmill my guess is you would have felt run down either way.

     The biggest thing to remember is to keep at it! Set a goal out side. Say I'm going to run the end of the street and walk back, than the next time run to the end of the street and half way back than walk. Or run for one minute today, and than one minute and 30 seconds tomorrow. Who knows tomorrow you might just feel like running longer! The best piece of advice I can give you is to just keep at it, and it DOES get easier the more you do. If you stick with it, and in 3 months you look back on what you USED to run you will be amazed how far you have come!!

     

    Good luck and keep us posted on your training!

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberLDC
    • CommentTimeMay 30th 2008
     
    LDC

    Razor,

    Thanks for the great advice.  I guess I have the same problem as most beginners, I want to just be able to take off and run.  But then reality sets in and your body says "Whoo, what the heck are you doing to me?"  I will definitely work on slowly building up my endurance outside.   Luckily for me, I have a 10 year old son that loves to run and would love for me to run in a 5k with him someday.  He is probably my greatest motivation.  Thanks again for the advice and encouragement, us newbies need all the encouragement we can get!

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjacanz
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2008
     
    jacanz

    The treadmill and the road are quite different. The road does not give you the assist the treatmill does so it *is* tougher. As Razor said, don't get too hung up on it right now, you don't want to spoil the enjoyment. And congrats on the 5 minute thing it is a huge deal!

    Given you want to be able run  with your youngling outdoors, start real slow and simple. As little as warm up then run a minute walk a minute 2 or 3 times to get the feel for running on the road without the assist. Do it on days when you feel good and if it doesn't work let it go and hit the 'mill instead.

    That 5k will wait for you for as long as it takes you to reach it! Make sure you have fun getting there!

    • CommentAuthorFree MemberB-Grrrrl
    • CommentTimeJun 5th 2008 edited
     
    B-Grrrrl

    I ran on the road this week for the first time in about 6 months and BOY was it tough!  I ache like I've just started running again even though I've been training for the last 8 weeks for a 10k!  The treadmill definitely turned me a bit wimpy!

    LDC - when I started running I could barely get 1/2 of a mile down my street without my lungs burning and my legs squealing in protest at me!  But I persevered and it got easier and I remember passing that 1/2 mile point one day and thought "I feel OK....lets go a bit further!" Now THAT'S a good feeling!

    Definitely keep trying with the road running.  Save the treadmill for bad weather days.

    I don't know why that's in italic but I can't change it.....!

    Good luck x

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberjunkie_99
    • CommentTimeJun 21st 2008 edited
     
    junkie_99

    LDC,

    Do you use the incline feature on your treadmill? I don't do treadmills myself, but have heard that if you do a 1 or 2 % incline, you have work harder and the treadmill will "assist" you less. I also read on another site that a woman had trained almost exclusively on a treadmill, and finished a marathon.

    Take your time, and don't over do it.

    • CommentAuthorFree Membertrinewbie5
    • CommentTimeJun 21st 2008
     
    trinewbie5

    Lisa,

    Don't worry about jogging on the treadmill, it's still a start and will help you towards your goal.  Like everyone else has said progress at your own rate and make it fun!

    I know when I was injured my physiotherapist made me pull back and run on the treadmill in intervals; first 2 min walk, 1 min jog for 15 mins, then 2 min jog, 1 min walk, then 3 min jog, 1 min walk, etc, etc until I finally got a full 10 mins jogging on the treadmill, before she would let me consider running outside again!  Then starting outside with the same sort of interval sets.  It's a long slow process to getting fit, but it's worth it to do it properly so you don't injure yourself.

    Like junkie said try using an incline, it will make it slightly more difficult before going outside.  Also work on strengthening your core stabilizer muscles (abs, back, glutes, etc) should help for when you hit the road.

     

    Good luck,

    Nadine

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