Treadmill Woes

JadziaDax

My sister bought me a treadmill for my birthday and I was thrilled and surprised. I used it for the first time tonight, and i'm exhausted after only 20 minutes- and I was mainly just walking fast. Is this normal for someone just starting to work out, or am I in worse shape than I thought?

anna.oskar

Totally normal!  Don't worry.  As you continue to use it you will build up more endurance.

bleedmaroon

totally normal! I'm in great shape for certain things- I ride horses and do all sorts of barn/ranch chores on a regular basis and I can work and sweat all day no problem. i can't even jog for two minutes though.  i've been looking for running programs to start. since i'm not much of a treadmill person, I'm going to try Couch to 5K (can be done on a treadmill too), but i found a beginner's treadmill workout (with links to more advanced workouts too)-

http://ittybitsofbalance.com/2011/07/13/beginners-running-interval-treadmill-workout/

JadziaDax

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try the beginners workout on the link when I get home from work tomorrow.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_treadmill-woes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:e7bb13ee-317c-4a41-a3aa-690d7aebbe23Post:e6ffd777-1b09-4a1a-bb9c-44b07ca813d2">Re: Treadmill Woes</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try the beginners workout on the link when I get home from work tomorrow.
Posted by JadziaDax[/QUOTE]

I found that I could go longer (when I first got mine) if I was distracted by a tv show.  I went for time over speed.  I'd turn the speed to wherever I needed to be to just keep going.  I couldn't go long normally, but if I was watching Law & order I could go an hour.

JadziaDax

Was it Law and Order SVU? That's a great show.
I faced the treadmill towards the TV as soon as I got it. I'll have to watch something more interesting next time than Dr. Phil.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_treadmill-woes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:e7bb13ee-317c-4a41-a3aa-690d7aebbe23Post:b116517d-4205-4e3f-9f9b-981597b8222f">Re: Treadmill Woes</a>:
[QUOTE]Was it Law and Order SVU? That's a great show. I faced the treadmill towards the TV as soon as I got it. I'll have to watch something more interesting next time than Dr. Phil.
Posted by JadziaDax[/QUOTE]

Yes indeed!  The more riveting the better.  Yeah, Dr. Phil would make me want to stop too ;)

LADY324

Having a really good workout mix always helps me out too.  Just build up your endurance little by little.  I keep my butt on the treadmill for 40 minutes.  I usually run 1.5 miles straight then to mix it up I run/walk the remaining time.  I will sprint for 1 minute then walk for 30 seconds.  Doing this keeps me entertained.  We have tvs at the gym but I don't even pay attention to them I just like to listen to my music and get into my zone.

dawle77

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_treadmill-woes?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:e7bb13ee-317c-4a41-a3aa-690d7aebbe23Post:dd330981-4798-47be-be66-6201d77ab4b9">Re: Treadmill Woes</a>:
[QUOTE]totally normal! I'm in great shape for certain things- I ride horses and do all sorts of barn/ranch chores on a regular basis and I can work and sweat all day no problem. i can't even jog for two minutes though.  i've been looking for running programs to start. since i'm not much of a treadmill person, I'm going to try Couch to 5K (can be done on a treadmill too), but i found a beginner's treadmill workout (with links to more advanced workouts too)- <a href="http://ittybitsofbalance.com/2011/07/13/beginners-running-interval-treadmill-workout/" rel="nofollow">http://ittybitsofbalance.com/2011/07/13/beginners-running-interval-treadmill-workout/</a>
Posted by bleedmaroon[/QUOTE]

I recommend the Couch to 5K program and I used it on the treadmill too. I was in no way a runner when I began but loved it 2 months later when I ran my first 5K! I'm actually just starting up with the program again because I put off running for a while. Good luck!

ee524

Completely normal.  Sign up for a 5k and follow a training plan that will force you to get on that treadmill or hit the pavement at least 3x/week to prepare.  You shouldn't run more than 304 times per week anyway.  Alternate with other training (workout video, weight training, elliptical, etc).  I followed a similar plan to run my 2 half marathons.