First run in the wild

[Spannerz20]

So today was my first post graduation run and a really important one as I decided to ditch the treadmill and run outside for the first time 😬

I’d really wanted to do this sooner but had built up such a routine going to the gym I was worried that changing mid programme I might jeopardise my C25K progress.

Well that was a ridiculous thing to think, why didn’t I do this weeks ago!

I chose to run along the canal towpath, I hadn’t planned on pushing too far as I’d read that running outside puts more demands on the body than the treadmill so I needed to ease myself into it. Warm up walk done I started the Strava app, newly acquired (graduation present) phone holder strapped to my arm and set off down the towpath.

The first ten minutes passed without the usual nagging doubts of the toxic ten. In fact the biggest difference I notice was that the time seems to fly by compared to being on the treadmill.

Enjoying the scenery is so much better than clock watching 🙂 there seems to be everybody out this evening couples walking the dog, kids on bikes, fisherman and people having BBQ’s on their canal boats (that smelt so good) and me a runner 🏃‍♂️

By the time I get back to the start I’ve run for 34 mins and covered 4.6 KM, more than I had intended to but it was such an enjoyable experience I couldn’t help myself!

[telford_mike Graduate]

Looks beautiful, and 4.6k in 34 minutes is pretty respectable! You've got your graduate badge now so enjoy the great outdoors!

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

Definitely going to be spending more time exploring outside from now on

[MandiV]

Enjoy! Sounds like a great run!

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to MandiV]

Here’s hoping they’ll all be like that!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Wonderful scenery, awesome run you did - and check out your badge! 🥇🥇🥇

Enjoy your running in the great outdoors! 👍🏻

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yep I like the look of the badge, may be tempted to go for the 10K version in a few weeks time 🤔

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yeayayayayay.. what a super run... the great wide world... Go you!!!

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss, it was something I’ve been itching to do

[DebJogsOn Graduate]

Looks lovely - nothing beats running outside 😊

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to DebJogsOn]

I’m just finding that out 👍🏻

[Goforitmama Graduate]

Great post, beautiful photo, glad you enjoyed the great outdoors. Now you have options with your running, you can run both indoors and out - it gives you more flexibility and variety and fewer excuses for not running in bad weather!

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to Goforitmama]

At least I now know I can do both. Will need to get some new gear to keep on running as much as possible outside with the great British weather

[Razouski]

What a beautiful place for your first outdoor run, and so glad you enjoyed it so much. I remember starting C25K at the gym and vowing I would never be able to run outside - it would be far to difficult. I got dragged outside around week 7 by my daughter and suddenly found out what I'd been missing. Now I can't even think about going back to the treadmill...

Welcome to the big outdoors, and happy running.

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Thanks, wish I’d had someone drag me outside sooner!

[Languid_Lil Graduate]

That's just wonderful and so inspiring. What a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing this and well done!

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to Languid_Lil]

I’ve lived nearby for nearly 15 years and never ventured down there, without C25K I probably never would have

[Robert_IS_a_Runner Graduate]

Wonderful picture- thanks for sharing experience 🙏

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to Robert_IS_a_Runner]

There were a few other spots I’d liked to have stopped and taken pictures which were even more photogenic. This one was just a quick snap after I’d finished!

[misswobble Graduate]

The time just flies by once you’re out there. The distances just get chewed up and spat out 👍😃🏃‍♂️

Dreamills! Shakes head. What were you thinking 😁. Now you’re out, stay out! 😃👍. Route planning is half the fun 😃

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

I know what have I been doing all this time 🤭 I have to say I did enjoy plotting the distance on google earth 🌏 have already planned out a couple more runs.

[Jelon Graduate]

Well done on graduating 👍🏻🙌. Sounds like a great first grad run and in the beautiful outdoors. I’ve never run on a treadmill apart from gait analysis and have no desire to do so as part of my enjoyment is exploring nature. I hope you have many more enjoyable ventures outside running. 😊

[Spannerz20 Graduate in reply to Jelon]

Thanks it’s such a great way to get away from urban life for a while