Week 1 run2

[janiecrane]

I am a 52 year old newby to running and need some advice from you kind people out there. Did run 1 around local park on slightly uneven pathway. Just done run 2 on the road. It felt harder! Is this all in my head because of the surroundings or is it actually harder to run on the pavement?

[misswobble Graduate]

Running on a soft forest floor is best, in dry weather that is. Paths made of composted pine needles and leaf mound, flattened by use is really comfy Running on grass is hard work.

Don’t worry too much as early on in the programme you are really only walking for much of the time. I prefer trails to road just to get out of traffic and fumes

Good luck with your sessions. Have fun 👍

[RainbowC Graduate]

The harder the surface you run on, the harder on your joints it is and therefore the more important it is to have shoes which give adequate support and cushioning for your feet (but as misswobble says, in the early weeks of the plan this isn't particularly vital). Running on grass is therefore 'better' than pavement, but I agree with misswobble, it's much harder work.

The main thing is to run somewhere that you're safe and comfortable with going out and doing it! (There's also a thread on here from a day or two ago in which many of us admit to usually finding run 2 the hardest in the week, so that might well be another factor...)

[OpheliaCrying Graduate]

All running is hard in the beginning, no matter the surface. But it gets easier. Make sure your shoes are good ones. Run slowly. Keep plugging away. You WILL get better. Well done for starting. Keep on keeping on.