Is variety the spice of life?

[Simonc25k]

Up until now I've been running around a football pitch at the local park, my thought behind this was if I stick to a regular route I can mentally monitor my progress and count the number of laps remaining, not sure if this is still working. I found run 1 of week 6 tough last night (this seems to be a common problem for others also) so I'm thinking I may now associate negative thoughts to my route (am I over analysing?) so I was thinking I'd change my route and introduce a bit of variety and rather than running laps I was thinking of running an extended route around the park and local golf course.

Has anyone else had similar experiences? I'm really enjoying c25k but that last run knocked me sideways 😫

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Laps are no fun in my opinion, so I would say go for the longer route. Running trails is also a great delight and leaves the urban streets way behind in the enjoyment stakes.

The answer to your question is a resounding YES!

[MrsLis Graduate]

I have a tried and tested route, like you, so that I can gauge how I'm doing by where I am, but twice I've used extended routes and it has been refreshing.

I suppose it's helped me feel like a real 'runner' because when ( no longer 'if'! ) I qualify I'm going to be running other routes and this felt like the start of that.

I'd say, yes, extend your route, shake it up a bit. You won't want to always be running around the football field so ease yourself into something different little by little.

Good luck, you can do it!

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Definitely shake it up! I find my mind associates negative thoughts with certain points on my route (mostly towards the end) and if I swap my route around I can sometimes avoid it. Anyway just running round a field is quite boring and probably unsustainable. You could maybe do it once a week just to track your progress?

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Why not give it a try? If it doesn't suit you, you can always return to laps in the field. I think, as you move into the longer runs that distraction is helpful, so some variety is a good thing.

Don't let run 1 put you off - it's an unsettling week but after run 2 it's really all about consolidation.

Go mad, go off piste!

[misswobble Graduate]

Running laps is terrible. I hate it! Mix up your run routes or you'll bore yourself to death

There's a great big world out there. So many runs, so little time 😊

[melly4012 Graduate]

Definitely! I literally decide my route on the fly as it means that I'm thinking so much about which direction I'm going to turn next that the time flies by! I understand not everyone has that luxury depending on where they run but I love changing my route and never make up my mind until I'm en route!

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Definitely time for a new route. Mixing it up is great.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

I tried the local football pitch once - terrible surface for running on! yes, try something else, you can always go back if it doesn't suit you. xx