running on treadmill question

I started the Couch to 5K program last week, and thankfully, it wasn't as awful as it was when I tried it 10 years ago. I've been walking a lot over the last year so I think my stamina is a tiny bit better, and I got wicking pants that suck in my wobbly bits.

I have my son every other week so it's easier for me to run outside when I don't have him, but he's too young for me to leave him alone for 30 minutes and I'm trying to figure out how to continue during those weeks.

I have a treadmill at home but it wasn't an expensive one - it's sturdy for walking but when I *briefly* (ie: 10 seconds) tried to run it felt like it was shaking from side to side. Is that how it feels to run on a treadmill in general or does it need to be a high end treadmill typically at the gym? Maybe I was being overly sensitive to how it felt and it was really fine (and I'm trying to talk myself out of doing it!). Are there tips to running on the treadmill so it feels safe (other than don't look at my feet or don't hold on)?

Re: running on treadmill question

I definitely think the quality of the treadmill effects how you perform. I have run on crappy a$$ treadmills and it was a horror. A good treadmill will not do that.

Instead of running on it; maybe speed walk; on a slight incline. You can burn just as much calories that way also.

running on treadmill question

I know what you're talking about and a higher-end treadmill will not feel wobbly. I think what the above poster recommended could be a good idea - speed walking at an incline

running on treadmill question

I tried it again and it wasn't as bad as I originally thought. I made sure to dress like I would if I were going to run (so it sucked in the wobble bits) and I ran in the middle of the treadmill instead of toward the front. It didn't seem to wobble at all. I'm certainly not going to do it all the time b/c I don't want to over burden the treadmill, but it'll do in a pinch when I have DS and it's too yucky to do during lunchtime.