Week 7 - Time to try running outside?

[BeckyBabble]

Morning Couchto5Kers!☀️👋

How are you all?

Well first an update on where I’m up to - I’ve just completed Run 1 of Week 7 and am still feeling good.👍🏼No new updates on the toenail as of yet 🙈😂

I did find both Run 3 of Week 6 and today’s run a bit of a challenge just in terms of motivating myself to keep running but think that’s more my inner laziness than anything else! I recover very quickly and always feel I could go again!

I am, however, finding the treadmill quite monotonous and boring. Apart from one try in my v early weeks in my nearest hilly park, I haven’t dared to venture out again. I’m worried I will struggle a lot more, both with maintaining a pace and managing hills. I do run on an incline of 1 as suggested on here.

How did you guys find running outside compared with the treadmill? Which did you find easier? Also is it a wise idea to change to outdoor running in Week 7 or better to wait until I graduate?

😊

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I can't comment on the treadmill as I've run outside always. You could run outside any time . You've just got to remember you're in charge of your pace. Just keep it slow and if you start getting out of breath slow down even more. I hope this helps 😊😊

[BeckyBabble Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks Buddy34 👍🏼, I appreciate the advice. I think, like most things with this running malarkey, it’s probably just a mental barrier I need to overcome. I think I’m going to try a different local park with less steep hills for Tuesday’s run and like you say, try to keep an even pace, slowing down where I need to.😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done on your progress.

It might take a few runs to get used to doing your own pacing, uneven surfaces, weather, gradients etc but it is well worth the effort, for the sunshine, vitamin D, fresh air and ever changing scenery.

[Cath400 Graduate]

It's a difficult one isn't it. I am up to Week 8 Run2 and always done on the treadmill as my gym is 10 minutes from work so handy to go before work

I also want to transition to outside and eventually do a combination of both. I have realised I may not be able to tun as far as harder but will use the outside runs as training runs and still do treadmill twice a week. Figure that at some point my outdoor legs will catch up with my indoor ones

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Well done so far. You can officially run 20 minutes longer than me on a treadmill! Last time I tried I got to 5 minutes, hit the stop button and ran home instead.

I’d say give it a go... don’t place any expectations on the run, go slower than you’re used to and see how it goes. It could take a few runs, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

[BeckyBabble Graduate]

Thanks all, I will be leaving for that second run shortly and I will be trying it along the canal which is a 5 min walk for me - perfect for the warm-up walk then straight into it. Feeling nervous but I always do! My plan is, as you’ve all said, is to treat this as a trial run and have no high expectations of pace. I’m going to start slowly and take it from there, seeing how I feel.

I’ll let you know how I get on. See you all on the other side! 😬🤗