Not for me!

[SJ60]

W8R2 and I thought I’d change things up a bit. Normally I run in the woods with very few people and a nice bit of shade but there are a few inclines and the track is pretty rutted from mountain bikers and rain. Today I thought the park would be a good idea ,mainly to check my watch’s accuracy (no signal in the woods) ...it was not! So many people! I never got into my stride on the tarmac surface and my knees were really sore. Michael asked me at five minutes how I was feeling and I could cheerfully have told him where to stuff his run! I did manage to finish the 28 minutes but I’ll be back in the woods on Thursday. Also hiking shoes are good in the woods but definitely to heavy for running on tarmac. Still it’s another run done and another lesson learned 👍

[packersruns Graduate]

I think that's why I go early in the morning in my area, its sort of a park where I run but it's on the seafront. If I went mid-day it would be an absolute nightmare and I would hate it because I'd never settle into a proper pace. Maybe try going earlier if you want to explore more routes interrupted? If you have been running in the woods for a while, from what I've read on the forum and been told at my running shop, anything like pavements will put significantly more impact on your knees than being "off-road", so maybe keep to the woods running for now and build up to going on pavements and things like that? I try and do a mixture so it doesn't affect me as much, but I try to avoid doing completely pavement running. Hope any of this helps 😬

[SJ60 in reply to packersruns]

Thank you. I tried running on the grass too but it wasn’t really any better. I love the woods but I’d thought it’d be nice to track my run 🤷‍♀️

[packersruns Graduate in reply to SJ60]

What watch do you have for your runs? Grass running can be funny I think, some days for me it really helps and other days it feels like it doesn't make much difference so I get what you mean

[SJ60 in reply to packersruns]

I’ve got a Withings which measures heart rate and distance using gps location but doesn’t give me a picture of my run.

[packersruns Graduate in reply to SJ60]

That's so irritating! Maybe once you are further into your running journey, consider buying yourself a running watch like a Garmin one that does those types of things? I personally have an Apple Watch and that works fine for me so can't understand why yours is struggling in regards to GPS (yet again though I've never had to run in the woods with my watch so can't give the best advice in regards to that) or try downloading an app like Strava or Mapmyrun and see if that keeps a picture of your run?

[SJ60 in reply to packersruns]

My daughter has just told me that my problem might actually be I can’t believe I’m actually running! And I should just accept my watch might just be accurate 🤣🤣🤣 I admit it’s very accurate when I’m out walking!

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to packersruns]

Have you tried using something like mapmyrun (the free online version) to plot your route? It can sometimes be a bit random which paths are included but you can always untick "follow roads" and use a satellite image to follow the path. Another option is to work out your average stride length and use a step counter (phone or watch) to estimate difference covered.

[SJ60 in reply to Blackberrypie]

The signal drops out too often which muddles the app up 🤣 So long as I’m doing the time I’m not too bothered about the distance but it would be nice to get an accurate distance before I head off for park runs when they start again!

[Blackberrypie Graduate in reply to SJ60]

Sorry, I meant creating a route online at home rather than trying to track it while you run.

[SJ60 in reply to Blackberrypie]

Oooh good idea.

[Blackberrypie Graduate]

I think my worst run so far was along a path where I had to keep stopping or varying pace to give people space - really messes things up when you can't get into a rhythm. I prefer getting out somewhere quiet so it's just me and the path.

[SJ60 in reply to Blackberrypie]

I agree 👍

[BowlingT Graduate]

I feel you! I love running through the woods however during C25k I was knocked flying by some dogs off the lead in the woods and I decided to experiment with the parks with paths while I got my confidence again. I find I have to go early and when it’s quieter my pace is faster as it flatter (my woodland trails are very up and down) and less dodging going on so I can just focus on my run and the breathing.

100% recommend gait analysis and running shoes though it made the world of difference on my shins and knees.

Happy running though, I do love to run in the trees it makes me feel giddy like a kid again 😂

[SJ60 in reply to BowlingT]

I’m definitely retreating back to the woods. Too many serious runners in the park all giving me funny looks! I’m sure I don’t look like your typical runner - I’m 60 and a good 4 stone overweight - but at least I’m giving it a go and enjoying it 👍😃