You're all going to think I'm mad...

[melly4012]

The past 7 weeks this is the view I have been running to... whilst running on the treadmill with some shockingly bad girly telly on to keep me distracted. It has been outside the window of my flat the whole time and I hadn't once ventured out due to a mixture of feeling self conscious and scared to mess up my progress in the programme because I was so afraid that running outside would be that much harder. Crazy to think that now!

Today I decided that I might do W7R2 run outside. Perhaps. Maybe. I ummed and ahhed about it, procrastinated for most of the evening, discussed why I would run outside and then why I wouldn't run outside at length with my boyfriend, tried on different clothing to find what would make me the most inconspicuous in the dark, and so on and so forth. Once I had stretched so much I couldn't justifiably stretch any more and I had all my new 'gear' (you'd think I was leaving home I had gathered so many things; the water, running belt, headphones, fitness tracker, etc etc) I just forced myself out of the door, shaking like a leaf!

Not only did I DO IT, but it was FANTASTIC! I was so distracted by having the seafront to myself, focusing on not tripping up kerbs, planning the route on the fly and time just drifted by. I stayed very, very slow after reading about the dangers of starting off too quickly outside. So much so that I barely worked up a sweat until the last minute sprint finish. Even at 10pm there were the odd few people milling around but my fears of being heckled were unfounded as even if anyone had done I wouldn't have been able to hear them anyway with Laura's FABULOUS music blasting in my ears (There, I said it! Surely I'm not the only one who loves the cheesiness?!). To top all this off, the fitness tracker checked against my route on the map once I got home showed me that the treadmill is way off and I have been covering much more distance than I thought and running at a better pace!

I can't imagine ever running on the treadmill again! Consider myself an outdoor running convert, C25kers (a chorus of 'I told you so' from this forum was ringing in my ears the whole way round)! 2 runs ago Laura called me a runner and today I felt like one! Totally euphoric!

[skysue16 Graduate]

What a great post- very uplifting to hear your enjoyment and enthusiasm for running outdoors. Very well done for taking that first step into the great outdoors!! It sounds a lovely place to run.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Fantastic run Melly... so excited that you made it outdoors.😊Now you can look forward to lots more running adventures as you reach towards graduation. Go you...good luck.x

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

What a fab place to be able to run. So glad you rose to the challenge - it's one of life's pleasures!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Fabulous! Really lovely post, you sound so happy. Good luck with those outdoor runs now - no looking back!

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Brilliant - so glad you made it and the run was so enjoyable! You've got a lovely place to run, it would be a pity to waste it! A new convert!

[Eatcakeandrun]

Hurray! Running outside is the best thing ever!! And it looks like a great place to run too.

[pete_be_healthy]

Still haven't run outside (just about to run W7R3). Know I should do but will miss the pacing from the treadmill in the gym.

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to pete_be_healthy]

I'm not sure that there's any 'should': it's what works for YOU. I run outside because I don't have a treadmill and can't afford a gym membership, and I'm very lucky to have a lovely wood at the top of the hill (which just about covers the warm-up walk) where I was already doing a lot of walking. I suspect I'd have got just as addicted had I started on a treadmill.

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to pete_be_healthy]

I agree with Polly, 'should' doesn't come into it. I'm not exaggerating when I said I was shaking when I left, I was that nervous! Of what, I'm not sure. People? It being harder than the treadmill? Something new? Along with all the benefits of outside running that other people have mentioned on the forum, what I actually loved most was the feeling of moving. I never hated the treadmill or found it particularly difficult but running outside gave me such a sense of actual achievement rather than just running on the spot and not moving for 25 minutes. I find people's warnings really helpful as I made sure I started off very very slowly, barely faster than my walk. I wanted to speed up along the way but held myself back until the last 5 minutes. Just have to be mindful I think and it should be fine.

I'm not going to 'tell' you to give it a go as I know how I felt before and it is definitely a decision you need to make yourself when you're ready. But just know that if or when you decide to move outside you CAN do it! There are so many points along the way in this programme that you surprise yourself and that will just be another one

[pete_be_healthy in reply to melly4012]

I think for me it's about the realisation that when I do I will slow down, I think I'm running at reasonable pace when I do it inside (10kph) that knowing I'm going to have to drop that right back is a bit of a mental block.

Also as a larger person (240lb) as many of us are (I was 320) the treadmill does give me some cushioning (or at least I think it does).

The most important thing is I'm running somewhere, though I do find it hard, and not sure I would count myself as a runner yet. In fact all bough I should graduate in a few weeks I'm not sure I ever will be. But that's fine, it's a means to an end, greater fitness/health and weight loss.

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to pete_be_healthy]

If you're running at 10kph then I'd say you're definitely a runner! Funnily enough I ended up running faster outside (either the treadmill was slightly off or I stepped it up naturally) even though I was consciously holding myself back. The treadmill said I was doing 5ish kph and the fitness tracker outside said just over 7kph (I couldn't quite believe it so had to confirm it by checking against the minutes/distance). I think it's perhaps a head thing that needs to be kept in check rather than actual speed.

You're running. Doing it on the treadmill is certainly not easier or 'not real running' so don't let yourself believe that. I actually found running outside easier because you're not confined by the front, back and sides of the treadmill and you're not constantly regulating your speed to match or keeping an eye on numbers spinning in front of you. Do what makes you comfortable and if you want to finish the programme first before you consider it then do that - it's no less of an achievement just because you've done it inside. This is your programme and your journey so you choose. I would only say don't be put off running outside by thinking you can't do it. If you want to, then you can, just like you have done up until this point

[TheHack Graduate]

That is great. I really need to do this too. However my view is not as inspiring as yours.

I hear all the time about how much more fabulous it is running outside. I have all the gear and you are making me think I am all the more stupid for not getting on with it.

Still the pollen is really bad.......

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to TheHack]

See my reply to Pete above, it's not stupid at all! If you choose to try it at some point, just stay slow and keep mindful to hold yourself back if you keep speeding up until towards the end of the run when you can speed up if you want. You've graduated the programme so you WILL be able to do it, just like you have all of the other runs!

[heavyhorse Graduate in reply to TheHack]

Its not a bad thing if you are happy to be inside, its a choice and we are all different, however if you really want to be outside and just have to find the confidence, then outside running is great, and going super early or late can help avoid people (or pollen!)for the first time if that's what puts you off ,or driving somewhere quiet where no one knows you! After the first time you will know if outside running is for you, and confidence will come the more you do it , but that is only if that is what you want!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Hoorah!!!!!!!

It's a big beautiful world...............run it!!!!!!

[harveyemm Graduate]

What a lovely place---good luck with your running

[dddd4 Graduate]

Your run sounds great and I am glad you are over your fear of running outside. Now you have a real choice for every run. I did one on the treadmill which was fine but a bit boring at least you have had a great view and comforts of home around you but I love being outside and like you say the distractions that brings. Guess it is good to shake it up a bit anyway. I find it good to keep varying my route as I am much more likely to give up when I know what the hill coming next feels like etc. Any way well done you are close to the end now you must feel you are a real runner now!

[poppypug Graduate]

Fab post Melly ! I must say though, you do have a nice view from your window

Lots of folk on here use a treadmill, nothing wrong with that . Its whatever suits you I think, but now you've ventured outside, it just opens up a whole new world doesn't it ?

Plus , you get to run along the sea front , Arrgh I am so jealous, it is my dream ! Lucky you , how fab is that ??? ( One day Pug, one day )

Enjoy your new found freedom Melly ! xxx

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks PoppyPug, I do feel so so lucky - have always lived by the sea and love it so much... and now I get to run by it! Seeing as it's something a lot of people would like to be able to do I'm determined not to waste the opportunity anymore

[Cairokitten Graduate]

That story is such a motivator and inspiration to me - I haven't yet had the balls to run outside but I hope to do that when I return to the UK in a couple of weeks' time (also a seafront location). Well done!

[melly4012 Graduate in reply to Cairokitten]

I'm really glad! I don't want to preach as, although people told me to early on, I needed to go out when I felt ready so I totally understand no one should be pushed into it. I just wanted to share the experience in case it helped others to take that leap of faith I know TheHack went out for the first time recently so us inside runners are slowly emerging!