Back to it again...

[Run_rabbit_run]

Another long hiatus of not running and I'm back again! One of my colleagues told me they went on a leisurely running tour in New York which I thought was a fantastic idea. It made me think about how much progress I had made last year and I really shouldn't let it slip.

I started on the treadmill last week and wonder how others have felt re treadmill versus outdoors? Personal experience is that my knees or shins eventually become painful, possibly because the repetitiveness of the treadmill makes your legs run in a 'certain' way. When I have trained outside I experience little pain unless I have pushed it too quickly.

I was pleasantly surprised that I could still run 3-5k (5k at a slower pace) after such a long break but have been going to HIIT and Circuits classes at the gym. Are there certain exercises that really help your running? I thought maybe the plank and squats have helped strengthen some muscles that I use without realising while running.

I hope you all have a good week and fit in a run before treating ourselves to an Easter feast

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

So, so many posts on this !

Just very, very different... and in my case, certainly using my cross trainer, I find indoors much easier. I use mine on my rest days,to improve core strength and stamina and when I was on the IC, using it with no resistance at all, it was really helpful, keeping the old muscles from stiffening up!

When I got back out, negotiating all the tracks, trails and undulations of the fields, my legs were stronger and my breathing had really improved. But, I, as many of us are, am an outdoor gal. and just love the whole experience of being out there in the big wide world... then rambling about it in my posts!

Happy running to you, indoors or outdoors...keep it up!

PS

Not too many Easter treats...! So glad, I don't like chocolate ! x

[Run_rabbit_run in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks for sharing Oldfloss! Good to know that a cross trainer can be effective on rest days or if on the IC. I am not a big chocolate fan but I do like to make my hot cross bun version of bread and butter pudding for Easter Sunday lunch have a good one x

[Madge50 Graduate]

Hi there, it all counts one way or another, and it's all good, personally, I'd go outside every time, I'm very, very lucky, I've got some great trails, mixes of road and off road as well as gorgeous wooded trails - which I absolutely love - don't know what it is, but my absolute fave is running on trails through woods/forestry.

I would use a dreadmill if I absolutely had to (I've got one) I do weights aswell, core training and regular stretches, squats and glutes exercises - it sounds a lot, but it's not really, I did my first half marathon in March and just wanted to feel fit and strong (I'm not fast) so I added a bit of cross training (static bike and rower) on a non run day and did a weight/stretch/core set after every run/cross train (3 times a week). Not heavy, heavy stuff either, just repeats and whole body - runners often forget their upper body and core......

I do feel stronger, hope you find something that you like and works for you.

Mx

Oh and, yes, will have some Easter treats, but perhaps not as many as I used to 😉 Doh! The side effect of this running and fitness lark!

[Run_rabbit_run in reply to Madge50]

Thanks Madge50. Sounds like a great place to live where you are. I'm just in a standard residential area but drive to a park for some running and will try and map out a route around where I live. I don't know how you manage running in the woods - all the bumpiness would throw off my amateur breathing technique!

Congratulations on your recent marathon! I can't ever imagine doing one as my knees do give if I run for too long so 10k is my max point at the moment. Have been taking cod liver oil too which I have found helps.

Yes, I have found the upper body and core training during the classes I attend are very challenging but I do feel stronger overall and definitely helps my running form. Thank you so much for sharing and I'll bear in mind the other exercises you have mentioned too for when I need to give my knees a break x

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Run_rabbit_run]

Ha ha yes, woodland trails sometimes include a bit of hurdling! 😬 Tree roots etc., and I do drive to some of them, do bear in mind it's taken me 4 years to get to this point, it took me over a year to 'graduate', so it's been slow and very steady progress, but I love it!

Mx