Running routes

[hel92]

Just wondering what everyone does with regards to their running routes. I’m now on week 7 and have ran the same route for pretty much the whole programme however getting quite bored of it now so think I’ll do a new route tonight. Do people find it better to stick to the same route or to mix it up?

[Debston Graduate]

I like to mix it up a bit. I have four or five regular routes that I tend to use and am always on the look out for cool new places to run. I think I would have got bored of sticking to just one. Also, as your runs get longer, you need to start adding on extra bits!

[hel92 in reply to Debston]

Yeah think I might do that work out a few different ones to mix it up

[Tasha99 Graduate]

I go on local bike paths - you can usually find them online. I also use plotaroute.com to measure my routes accurately. Sometimes I drive to the beach, countryside or local nice places. I’m lucky to live central to a lot of thing.

[hel92 in reply to Tasha99]

Oo never heard of that website before will have a look thanks!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Definitely mix it up as you said you get bored with the same route 😊

[ScottJB Graduate]

I have 3 or 4 different routes and try mix them up with different side streets. Definitely feeling the need to try some new routes though, all mine have been local to home. I think canal or park routes will be next.

[SpeedMaQueen Graduate]

I run the same route each time and with just two runs left till graduation- had to drop that in 🙂 - I have found it helps me pace myself marking the time in counting “landmarks”. I am a creature of habit - always run in the same lucky socks - but have promised myself that I will vary things when I move on to the next post- couch to 5k challenge. Do whatever works for you I reckon. Happy running!

[sTrongFuse Graduate in reply to SpeedMaQueen]

I found that useful as well pre-graduation. There's something "comforting" about recognising a particular landmark and being able to gauge how much further you have to go. After graduation, it's a case of run where your feet take you. Familiarity can help you achieve goals, but variety keeps it interesting.

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

I mix mine up. I am fortunate that within about a 5 minute walk (handy for that warm-up) I have a network of footpaths, tracks and trails that crisscross the area around my village. I also have 4 parkrun locations within about 20 minutes drive from my house (2 of them are less than 10 minutes away) so I can do a bit of PR micro-tourism too.

When all else fails, I just run one of my usual routes in the opposite direction. It can be interesting to tackle ups and downs turned around.