Outside is much much easier.

OP again. I just went out to dinner with friends last night and she invited me to join her running group. It's right down the street from me and taking the route I was going to do on my first run out anyway, and they meet up for drinks afterwards. Couldn't pass it up! Tomorrow night, we'll see how it goes.

So much treadmill hate! I don't mind it one bit. I tend to push harder because no matter how hard it is I will not lower my speed. And I always have an incline going. Also, I'm not one of those people that feels more accomplished when working out in ice or rain or at 4 a.m. even though I've done and sometimes do all of those things. I just care about results. The treadmill is a useful tool in that so no hate here. Figure out what works best for you, OP.

I am far more motivated to run outside. It's pleasant and relaxing, though difficult. The treadmill is a chore.

Outside is SO MUCH EASIER. It's more fun - I'm a nosy house checker-outer, so I like to see all the gardens and x-mas décor and window boxes and wreathes and peek into people's well-lit living rooms in the a.m. as I jog past. So much better than a screen on a treadmill.

Yeah, hills suck and humidity isn't very cool, but a nice tailwind is always lovely.

Congrats on building your fitness on the treadmill - that is great. I wouldn't worry too much about joining a running group outside. Runners are by and large very easy going people. You'll probably find that the miles fly by when you have company. Running outdoors will feel different, at first, because of the variable terrain compared to a treadmill, but I wouldn't be surprised if you eventually grow to prefer it to the treadmill. I agree with the PP who recommended a running app like MapMyRun - it's a great way to track your runs. You can get a great sense of accomplishment by watching the runs stack up over time. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Seems like the basics have been covered pretty well by the other posters.

As has been stated.....no need to be intimidated or think you will be 'that' person in the running group. Most running groups I have tried are very mellow and try to keep things chill for all involved so there is little to no pressure to run at a specific pace. Let them know what distance your good at and they usually adjust things to fit. If there are people going longer they will split the group for those going long versus short.

For me treadmill running is okay but it does get boring. Full disclosure though I take a sick sense of accomplishment from running in the rain, snow, heat...... so theres that. One benefit for me on the treadmill thought was it helped me up my speed. I thin it has to do with the treadmill being one continuous speed. When I was training for a half mixing in some treadmill work dropped my average times from 9:35 to about 8:10. Right now I am back to about a 9:20 but that is a mix of pavement and trails so take that with a grain of salt.

End of the day.....take your time, ease into running outdoors.

Someone mentioned apps. I have given most of them a try.....if your an app person......present app of choice is the Nike+ app. Love it!! MapMyRun is great. Will probably being giving the Puma app a whirl soon just to see if they worked out the bugs from version one.

~N~

Why not just go jog around your neighborhood for 20 minutes and see how it feels? I hate to run on the treadmill - the only joy I get out of running is being outside, splashing through puddles, being in the woods, breathing fresh air. So on the treadmill I am slow and bored and always wanting to stop. You may surprise yourself when you get outside! If you want to there area also other running groups that you could join until you feel comfortable with the 3 mile group. The Moms Run This Town chapter in my county has people running 12 minute miles and only going for a couple miles, and people going long distances very fast. You chose your meet up, and people going your pace and distance. Good luck! I am another new runner in her 40's, so I hear you!