The Great Outdoors

[bareliz]

Just completed run1 of week2 - outside! I ran the first week indoors (yes I am mad) because I live in a very hilly area. Anyway let's just say I am still alive (barely) and that every slight incline was like mount Everest to me. Also I thought I'd go out at 7.15am on a Sunday morning and there'll be no-one around - silly me. I think I will take a short drive to my next route which hopefully will be flatter. I shall tackle the hilly bits when I'm fitter.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Good plan and well done for getting outside, it's worth it as it brings far more benefits than a treadmill 😎

[bareliz in reply to ju-ju-]

Ha wasn't even a treadmill, just running through the hall and kitchen! You are right though I think it will increase my stamina a lot quicker running outside, although it doesn't feel like that at the moment! Thanks for the encouragement.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to bareliz]

You are not the first to run around in the house, but unless you live in some stately home it is unlikely that you will be able to get up to speed indoors.

Well done on braving the outdoors. Being self conscious is a recurring theme on this forum, but most C25Kers soon realise that nobody is going to judge you badly and they will probably admire you for making the effort.........we do!

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to bareliz]

It's also good for the fresh air element and especially if you can run in or near nature 😎

[bareliz in reply to ju-ju-]

Unfortunatley more car fumes than fresh air where I live!

[Jewel84 Graduate in reply to bareliz]

Well done you. I was running in the house too until today. Who cares if anyone's watching this is for us 💪🏼🏃🏼‍♀️😁

[bareliz in reply to Jewel84]

I still haven't ruled out doing the odd run indoors. I'd rather have that as an option than give up because I can't have the car to drive to a good location. I really am not worried about speed. I am 60 later this year, overwight and unfit. Just completing the runs (by any means) is an achievement for me.

[JenniferCMS Graduate in reply to bareliz]

As long as you're not running outdoors as per your name suggests, bareliz, then you may HAVE to stay indoors!!

[bareliz in reply to JenniferCMS]

Ha, there's absolutely no chance of that!

[nikkiwabit Graduate]

Well done and ignore the other people (like they aren't looking anyway). I hope the plan of doing hills later is a good one as that's what I am doing (actually I think I am avoiding slopes).

[bareliz in reply to nikkiwabit]

The worst bit today was the first 5 minute walk which was all uphill. This meant I was out of breath before I even started running, hence I will drive to somewhere flatter for the next run!

[nikkiwabit Graduate]

Yes that's not quite a warm up is it.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Hills are tough - my area is pretty hilly as well. And it seems that during the program all the walking bits line up with the downhills, and the running bits line up with the uphills, even when the timing changes week to week. It's magic.

That being said, I'll make the case for you to continue running in your area. It's right outside your door. It's more easy to put off a run the more you have to think about driving somewhere, etc. And you'll get used to hills fast! It's a real slog and I had runs I had to repeat but I learned quickly to manage my pace. And I built fitness quickly. I noticed it most because I did the program at the same time as some colleagues but they ran it on the flat. When we had our first race after graduation, they struggled with the slightest of inclines. They would have had a heckuva time running with me by my house.

I do enjoy driving to other runs though. I usually save a new route for the weekends, and go somewhere special, scenic and usually flat. Running a flat route after running hills and you feel like you're flying.

[bareliz in reply to runswithdogs]

Ha thanks for the good advice. I think my take on it will be to do as much as possible on the flat to start and then tackle the hills. I'll keep you posted

[Hidden in reply to bareliz]

That's a good strategy. One of the reasons I'm doing C25K is because my fitness has fallen away recently and although I've started going to ParkRun, my local one is uphill for the first half and I'm struggling big time with that incline. The ability to cope with hills will come, but at the moment, the main thing is to build your fitness and doing C25K on the flat will help you get there. There'll be plenty time for hills later.

[bareliz in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. All I need to do now is not give myself cake to celebrate finishing a run

[ChunkyMonkey Graduate]

Hi well done for completing it! I also live in a very hilly area and also fine outdoors running so much harder than the treadmill- but I suppose so because that's sprung & forces you to move - even if you set it to an incline. Great to get outside though especially if the sun is shining. Like you I've just completed w2r1 - found it hard but I did it!! Keep on moving - we will do this together!!!🏃🏻‍♀️

[bareliz in reply to ChunkyMonkey]

Hi there, Well done to you. Today's my rest day and I'm aching all over and, strangely, also not sleeping brilliantly. I think I may do a little yoga later and see if that helps. I have promised myself that when (not if) I finish this week I'll treat myself to some decent trainers as my footwear is basically cheap rubbish! Let me know how your 2nd run goes