W4R? . . . . . Lost count :(

[Chris--B]

I have struggled to fit in 3 runs a week for a while now since starting the C25k again. I restarted at week 2 which seemed ok and not too difficult (unlike the first time around). When I got to week 3 I only got two runs done in a week and then had a five day gap before my third run so decided to do an extra week 3 run before going on to week 4. The week 4 runs have followed a similar pattern and I decided not to move on to week 5 until i can get 3 week 4 runs in within a 7 day period. I have now lost count of how many week 4 runs I have done.

I have noticed that if I have a 3 or 4 day gap, the run is much harder than if I have only had one or two rest days hence why I want to get 3 runs in a week before moving on.

I changed my route last night and ran in the woods where I normally walk my dog. It surprised me when running just how uneven, twisty and turning the paths are with roots, dips and lumps all along what I thought were reasonably flat tracks. Even the flat (ish) bits are very uneven where foot prints, bikes and horses sank in the soft mud which is now like concrete. Walking boots offer a lot more protection to the soles of the feet than running shoes.

The good news is that despite the terrain I completed a W4 run after a three day gap.

I found the twisty path meant that keeping a constant pace is impossible and a bit harder than road running but much more enjoyable. This is not a route I can do in the dark though.

My plan now is to stick to this route and 3 runs a week (hopefully) but my only concern is footwear as I dont think my Asics running shoes are up to it. I feel every lump and bump through the soles. I have seen trail running shoes advertised which look like they have more grip on the soles but not sure if they offer more protection so will need to look into that, any recommendations?

If I splash out on a pair on trail shoes I will feel guilty if I dont make use of them so will give me more incentive to finish work on time and get out on a run.

[Oldwoman65 Graduate]

I also run on a bit of a trail run. My ASICS are great but I did take a tumble a couple of weeks go. I tripped on a tree root. The first time I've done it after nearly 18 months of doing the same route. It quite shook me up, so be careful. Shame your trainers are not up to the the job. I always worry I'll spend a fortune on trainers and then give up 🤦 Good luck

[Chris--B Graduate in reply to Oldwoman65]

The ASICS I have I bought about 18 months ago and are brilliant for running on roads or pavements but running in the woods felt like running barefoot on a sea of lego. I can feel every lump, stone or root through the sole.Tripping over stumps in the woods does appear to be a downside which I think is one reason I wont be running there in the dark. I hope you are OK after your trip.

[Shuffling_Saturdays Graduate]

Trail running shoes have ‘lugs’ on the sole to offer more grip on the terrain you describe, particularly when it’s wet or muddy. They also have a ‘rock plate’ in the sole at the mid foot to provide extra protection against rocks, tree roots etc. They are no more expensive than a good pair of running shoes i.e. £120 ish. I have the ASICS Gel Trabuco 9’s.

Also, don’t worry about each week needing to take a literal week. I’ve done some weeks over 10 days due to health issues and managed perfectly well. I started C25k on 4th Feb and I’m doing week 9 run 2 either today or tomorrow with the hope of graduating on Sunday or Monday. So you can see it’s taken me longer than it should. Apparently it takes 2 weeks to really lose any significant fitness if you stop running (for us recreational runners anyway!), so don’t worry too much about it all and try to enjoy it!

Good luck with your running!

[Chris--B Graduate in reply to Shuffling_Saturdays]

I think the rock plates sound the perfect solution, as in my reply to the previous post, running in the woods feels like running barefoot on lego with my road running shoes.I did the C25k last year in ten weeks and finished a few weeks before the first lockdown but didnt keep it up. I started again a couple of times but some family circumstances made it difficult. This time I am determined to keep going and want to make sure I can confidently move on each week. I may try moving on regardless or missed days and see how I get on but I am hoping not to miss any now.

[Devon_straggler Graduate]

You can buy hybrid road-trail shoes now (I've just bought some Brooks ones but I've not got enough experience to recommend versus anything else yet!), which hopefully give the best of both worlds for a casual runner. If you were going to be running a lot it might be worth buying separate pairs of road and trail shoes - the hybrids will be heavier than road shoes and have smaller lugs (and therefore a bit less grip) than trail shoes. But for a couple of shortish runs a week it seemed like a good compromise to me, especially as I have the option to go on both terrains in a single run.

[Chris--B Graduate in reply to Devon_straggler]

I have a distance to walk/run before I get to the woods and I had not thought about full trail shoes not being so good on the road so will have to look into hybrid shoes too. I think a trip to a shop with a good selection is on the cards.