When to transition from gym to world?

[Kashy]

I've been running in the gym and have just finished my W3 R1. I want to up my pace, at the moment I'm on level 7. I'm just thinking, when is it best to give up on the gym and start running in real life. Do I need to?

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Hi Kashy you just need to do what works for you. Some do the whole programme at the gym, others outdoors or a combination. You might want to try outdoors just to see whether you like it, just take it slow. It’s not essential. You’re doing a brilliant job! Well done you! ❤️

[Irishprincess Graduate]

You don't need to, it's your choice but I've done both and think outside is much much nicer and, I find now, easier than the treadmill! There's so much to see and hear and it's better for the soul 🙂 But do whatever keeps you running.

If you do decide to go outside then prepare. Do one run a week outside and the other two on the treadmill. Run very slowly. Many people struggle outside at first because it's harder to find your pace and you tend to go too fast.

Then, on the second week, run twice outside so on your third week you're running your three runs outside.

Enjoy, whatever you decide.

[MarkyD Graduate]

You don't need to transition to outside. But...

Things I've seen running in the gym:

Clock counting v.e..r...y.... s....l.....o......w........l........y...........

Doctor Who

The West Wing

News programmes

Things I've seen running in the outdoors:

Scenic views

Fields of grass, rippling in the breeze

Austin city skyline

Parliament Palace, Bucharest

Deer

Early spring flowers pocking through snow

Woodpecker

Vixen and her cubs

A lady, sat straddled across a man lying on his back (they had obviously been running as they looked a bit hot, and obviously she'd needed to sit down)

Wheat germinating, growing, ears maturing and ripening, field being combine harvested.

Bluebells in full bloom

The ocean.

And something beautiful and unexpected nearly every time I run.

[Kashy in reply to MarkyD]

Ok, you had me at westwing but I quite like the Blue bells.

[Cliff_H Graduate]

Running in the gym is real running, treadmill and outdoors aren't mutually exclusive. I did my long run this week on the treadmill as it was too hot so I put the headphones in and went for it. Today I was up early so went for a run around the country park for an hour at 7:00 before it got too hot. I find both are great and there's really no need to chose... if you are in the gym because you aren't confident running outside that's a different matter and I'd say to just go for it... you talk about upping your pace, that can also be done inside or out, in fact I find intervals and hill work that improves my pace better on the treadmill to be honest but horses for. courses.... just keep enjoying the running, that's the trick.

[Ang33333 Graduate]

I only run outdoors but this week I would love to have a treadmill so I could stay out of the heat! I would try outdoors. It's lovely!!

[Berry5]

I was just having the same dilemma. I had this guilt that whenever I’m in the gym I’m missing time out in the sun. I’ve just finished W1 and did two of my runs outside. I found it harder outside just because of the heat but a lot more interesting and oddly less stared at BUT there’s no AC 😅I think I’m going to continue to mix it up to keep my runs as interesting as possible