Hi everyone! I completed Week 8 Run 2 this morning and have done all my runs so far on trails in my local very rural village. Grass, fire roads etc. My intention in doing C25k is to become a regular trail runner.
I was wondering if anyone else is doing C25k on the trails only? I was particularly curious to hear thoughts on the opening / closing of gates and stepping over styles. The purist and perfectionist in me thinks that it ‘stops’ the running and I should be doing my runs uninterrupted 😊. I do occasionally do some runs (e.g. week 8 run 1) on uninterrupted off road spaces, so I know I can ‘do it’ so to speak. I do jog on the spot when facing a obstacle - gates that open easily are so wonderful - so my cadence, effort and movement doesn’t suffer. But momentum and rhythm does. I guess I’m looking for some reassurance from you all that I’m not cheating 😊😂
What do others think and how are you getting on, on the trails?
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Shuffling_Saturdays
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Hi shuffler,Yes I also have stiles and cattle grids and gates etc to contend with. I try and run on the spot too or try to squeeze through the space for dogs at the side of the stiles! You're right, it does interrupt your rhythm , but it's definitely not cheating, we're just lucky to be able to run in the open air .....
Awesome, Downsrunner! I haven’t come across any cattle grids yet but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time! Today’s main obstacle was a heard of rowdy sheep! Agree on being super lucky to run in the open air. Enjoy your running endeavours 🙌
I do have some woods close to me but nothing I could do a continuous 5km in. Most of my running has been tarmac, pavements, canal towpaths, or rough tracks. I love running in the woods (except for tripping over tree roots).
Having to stop for an obstacle like a gate or a stile is not cheating in any way.
I nearly posted about this. One of my favourite runs has 2 Stiles and 2 gates. I also felt like it was cheating but my husband assured me it's not and could even be considered extra work. Like you, for each long time I've done at least 1 clear run to make sure (convince myself) I can do it 'for real' when I run my next run w9r3 😬 I'm going to make sure I choose a clear route otherwise I'll be still deep down feel it's cheating even though rationally, iknow it isn't! Definitely not cheating!
Agree about the extra work - I had to climb over a farmers gate last weekend as it wouldn’t open and I was getting stressed about the time it was taking to find the latch whilst jogging on the spot (Week 7 Run 3) 😂
There's always some potential for a cadence-corrupting quirk on a run - in town there are roads to cross and traffic lights.
I think it is more about personal satisfaction, if as you say you keep moving. I've gone through phases where I've avoided a particular route for a while because eg a few too many trees are down across the paths and I am no hurdler.
Yup, totally agree on the personal satisfaction aspect - I definitely get that from each and every run and probably more so when I’m ‘in the wild’ and away from people!
Yes, cattle grids and gates are a pain. I try to stop for the absolute minimum, i.e. just to tiptoe across the cattle grid bars, and immediately start running again. If anything it's more difficult as you lose your momentum and the gremlins start telling you that you might as well just walk for a moment as you've more or less stopped anyway! Like somebody else said, there will also be distractions on the road, I've had to stop for passing cars on a narrow lane, dogs that think you're playing because you're running etc... it's pretty momentary in a 28 min+ run though, so don't lose any sleep over it!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one agonising over this, I feel the as you, so I’ve ran for another couple of minutes at the end! At least we’re all running eh ?!
Props to you for running a few extra minutes!! I had to run around and around a tree once because my trail came to an end before Laura said stop 😅
I reckon we are absolutely fine doing as we are - running on trails is harder anyway to start with, so a few seconds running on the spot to open gates etc is negated by the rougher, uneven terrain!
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