5k on treadmill

[Thetallestsunflower]

Hi; For the last month I have been running 5k on the treadmill and have recently started to get it finished in less than 30 minutes (times of 29 mins and 28.41 mins)
Are these times good-I am not an athlete and am only just starting out. Do you think I should now build up on increasing my distance or should I work on getting a faster time.

[IrianofWay]

It depends what you want to do with it. Are you planning on doing any races or are you just doing it for fitness? If you are planning on running races I would start running out of doors - you'd be amazed how much harder many people find it and you would need to get used to it. And IMO running out doors is more fun!

[Saz12]

I second running outdoors!
If that's out of the question, then try setting the treadmill to a 3% incline (or whatever suits you) for at least one session a week. Then maybe have one faster, shorter session in a week, and one longer session.
That would give you a mix of work-outs which might be more interesting and motivating.
Up to you and what you're aiming for though!

[Thetallestsunflower]

My goal is to to build up to running 10k. I am initially running just to improve my fitness but as I am enjoying it I do want to eventually start to do races (but not until I have improved and am more confident in my running ability). I have just signed up for 'park run' which is a 5k run once a week in our local park. I won't be able to do it every week due to childcare but its something I can do to get more used to running outside and alongside other runners.
I'd love to one day be good enough to join a proper running club but I am not fit enough yet xx

[IrianofWay]

Hey thetallest, please please don;t feel too self-conscious to join a club. I have been running for years but only on my own. I joined a club last October because I was fed up of my motivation fading with the summer and never being able to run at a reasonable pace. The club I joined is very inclusive and laid-back. They have loads of different abilities - ultra runners, multi marathoners, iron-johners, triathletes. THey also have people like me who are experienced but without a decent technique and people who can't run a 100 yrs without thinking they are dying. In about 6 weeks last winter one women went from walking most of our Thursday evening 5k, to running it all! OK she wasn;t that fast but she did it. And everyone clapped and cheered her when she got back. IME most runners are delighted to see anyone joining them at any level.

If you can contemplate park run, you can join a club!