I abandoned treadmill and tried to run outdoors... I COULDNT DO IT!!!

[Nubird]

So I posted as I felt the treadmill may be a bit of a cheat....

I tried to do W7R3 outdoors and couldn’t run longer than 8 mins!!!????

I’m gutted!

Tried to blame the following

Didn’t have a rest day ( still managed without rest day on treadmill)

Hadn’t eaten yet ( never eat before run as hate breakfast)

I’m gutted and so annoyed ! My legs just wouldn’t move and by the time I’d run up the slight hill I had to stop ...

Hats off to you outdoor runners I literally don’t know how you do it!!

☹️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Have a good two days off and try again with the third 25 minute run of week 7 outside, you must not run on consecutive days, you could cause yourself a injury.

[LeyaBlu3 Graduate]

I found it hard too and disappointing that I sucked 😂

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

I agree with Al, those rest days are very important, especially for new runners. I've been running for a few years now and find if I try to do back to back activities, my legs are heavy and my run is harder than it should be. Running outside vs on the treadmill are very different, but I find I can't run on the treadmill for very long so hats off to you.

In addition to ignoring the rest days, perhaps you're running faster than you are used to on the treadmill. Next time make a strong conscious effort to start off slow. I find I always think I am but if I check my pace on my watch, that usually isn't the case. The "natural" pace your legs want to run until you've learned to pace often isn't a sustainable pace for very long, in my opinion. If you think you're running slow, slow down more (it will feel really awkward at first, trust me). If you're starting to struggle on the run, instead of stopping, try slowing down more. Again, it will feel awkward at first, but often I find, after a bit, I feel better and can often finish my run strong.

Good luck with your outdoor running. It really can be quite enjoyable, especially as you embrace the varied terrain and whatever weather Mother Nature throws your way. And before you know it, you'll be seeking out hills on your run to conquer 💪😁

[Nubird Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Ah thank you so much for taking the time to offer such good , positive advice! I think I’m going to rest now and attempt it on Tuesday... what app do you use to check your pace etc as I currently don’t use one but would like to 😊

[SaskAlliecat Graduate in reply to Nubird]

I have a Garmin watch, but before that I used Runkeeper. There is a free version that shows you distance ran, average pace over the run and allows you to set up different workout intervals. You can also have it give you audio reminders at set time or distance intervals where you can choose what you want it to tell you - distance ran, average pace, current pace, time, all of the above. I've only recently purchased the premium version to try their training plans but have been using the free version for many years now.

[Nubird Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks so much for that! I’m going to find it now ! X

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

When you run, the impact creates microtears in your muscles which repair and strengthen on your rest days. No rest, no repair and so increased injury risk. For a new runner, however fit you are in other respects, the rest days are crucial..........as important as run days.

Had you taken rest days, you might have found that you were stronger by this stage, making the transition to outdoors a bit easier.

Running outdoors you have to regulate your pace, cope with gradients, uneven surfaces, weather and sensory stimuli...........it all takes practice. It may take you a few runs to begin to cope with all this, but you will get there and find that it is much more interesting than the treadmill.

Please take rest days, or injury is a footfall away, then you won't be running anywhere.

Take your time, take care.