So I have gotten up to walking 4.0 on the treadmill. I even did 4.3 when I was going to start a little run. I have never done it before, so I was kinda nervous, and I didn't do it, and just went back to 4.0. I just feel it would be more beneficial for caloric burn/HR, but not necessary, I am just trying to mix it up. I am just kind of "scared" in that little girl way.. lol.. Any tips on taking those first running steps??

i also do 4 miles at 4.0 and have gotten it up to 4.3. At what speed should you be running? I would also like to start to run at least half that distance soon.

it's up to the person.. I walk at 5.1mph on the treadmill...

I'm not comfortable running on the treadmill - it's alack of control thing...

there's no reason why you can't go outside and run... and just keep walking on the treadmill at a speed that you're comfortable - or rather - just outside your comfort zone.. make yourself work

Jesus! 5.1 mph!!!!???? Girl you gotta have some long @** legs to be walking at that pace!!!! I have a 34 inseam and have to run when I hit 5 mph, it may be a little slow but I sure as hell can't walk it!

That's incredible...........

I actually dont - some would consider me tall at 5'9 - i'm really not - most of my height is in my torso.. in pants a 30" length is a little long on me... I've just worked at getting to this speed... and I don't do the entire time at 5.1... I do it in Mal-ervals... but 4.7 is my recover pace... When I started treadmilling January (2007) - 3.0 mph practically killed me...

5'9" is tall. I'm 5'7". I think I would feel more out of control if I was trying to walk at such a fast speed than to run it. I think it is amazing that you can do it though.

I have given up running, so I do incline programs that really give me a workout cardio wise. a couple do hit that 5 mph mark, so I have to hoof it..... Thankfully it only last for a minute or two....

yeah speed walking thing is something you can build up, i recall starting at about 5km/ph and worked my way up to 7.5-8 over time. i found it really invigorating and burns just as many calories as running - especially when you have an incline (which can be the real kicked).

Now THAT would really scare me....speed walking on an incline???? I have speed walked before, but that was outside, I couldn't imagine doing it on a treadmill.....

You guys are WAY tougher than I am!

the incline is fantastic... gets my heart rate up and makes me feel like I'm working... I don't use the incline at speeds any higher than 4.6mph right now - so it's not super fast but I'll get there... 3.0 is my standard incline set -and every minute I'll raise it up one til I hit 11 - then go in the opposite direction... definitely adds some oooomph and interest to a boring treadmill routine..

If you'd asked me a few months ago whether I'd be running on the treadmill I'd have said no way - but here I am now running at 11.5 kph (7 mph) though I must admit in 2 minute bursts. Give it a go you maybe surprised, and if you don't like it then stick with the walking.

yes, I LOVE my incline it is the best way I found do cardio without the pains of running. I just can't do that anymore. I do the programs set on my machine, and the diversity is enough to keep me interested! The machine I have goes up to a 30 % incline, and I couldn't imagine me doing more than that!

I "run" on the treadmill using interval training. I'll run for 5 minutes, then walk for a minute; run for 5, walk 1, etc. It's a great way to increase your aerobic capacity. Then I do my distance training outside in a nearby park. If you have a heart rate monitor (Polar) watch your heart rate and keep it in your training zone. Gradually increase your speed and distance, and after every run, S-T-R-E-T-C-H those leg muscles, and walk a bit to cool them down and work out any excess lactic acid... you won't have much soreness , if any at all. The Runner's World web site has articles and workouts for the treadmill. Good luck, and do give it a try... you may find you like it.

It isn't an option for me to run anymore. I have flat feet, I broke one of my arch bones years ago, and I'm bowlegged. At my age, it has gotten too painful to run. My doctors told me it would gradually go up form my feet to my hips and it did. I kept going till I couldn't stand the pain. I love running, but my body can't handle it.

I haven't tried it yet. I think I will wait until a late night when no one is around, I don't want to fall in front of people lmao.

My wife used to just walk on the treadmill at an incline, but when I started my program that included intervals and she heard about it, she started running too.

I think she said she's up to 8 MPH run for 1 minute with a 4 MPH walk for a minute rest. She's never been a runner, in fact she said the only way you'd find her running was if her favorite ice cream store was burning down and we didn't have a car to go save the ice cream.

She's built up to that speed, it wasn't something that happened overnight so if my wife can do it, I'd think anyone could do it (as long as you don't have flat feet and bow legs ).