oh why do I not have the confidence to run outdoors
Just done W9R2 on the treadmill so I know I can do it but scared people will stare or look at me and think fat old lady - I just can’t shift these thoughts
Really can’t get pass this barrier which I know is ridiculous
First of all, massive well done for almost finishing the programme. That’s a huge achievement.
Could you start off by walking outside if you don’t feel confident enough to run? Once you’ve had some positive experiences, that might help you transition to running. Is there somewhere nice you could drive to, like a local park or trail where it’s common for people to run? I see people of all sizes running around my local lake and all I ever think is “well done fellow runners”! Taking a friend could help, and also headphones.
Really good luck for getting out and also with your graduation run.
Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.
If you saw someone like you out running, would you have negative thoughts about them?
I doubt it, and suspect that you would probably say "Well done you."
Most will not even notice you. The rest will either be envious or supportive and at the end of the day, what does it matter what other people think.
You are doing this for yourself, not anyone else, so their opinion is irrelevant.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5....
and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.
Enjoy your journey.
I have just finished week 1 (took a bit longer than a week mind, but that health issues plus time to fit it in). I had high anxiety doing any exercise outside my house, started with walking and progressed to the C25K. I found music was a good barrier as I could just concentrate on that and the road ahead, also I do my runs in the morning so not many people around.
You can do a little test. Go to your local park or anywhere where people run. Observe those who run and those who sit on the benches or just chill on the grass. You’ll quickly notice that nobody pays any attention to those who run. Maybe an occasional dog but that’s it. Unless you’re an Olympic runner who will grace the park with your speed and technique outrunning even the hounds, you can rest assured that your presence will pass completely unnoticed. Try.
Almost at graduation on a treadmill, well done you! Not old, several years younger than us.
Why don’t you put your running kit on and go for a walk? look around, is anyone staring? if there’s no one around break into a little run, concentrate, it feels very different to a treadmill, enjoy the fresh air and if you see anyone who you think might look at you, drop back to a walk.
Have fun and let us know how it goes
Hi well done nearly there! If you keep going after this programme it will change your life in so many ways .I graduated a couple of months ago and I always run outside because it's beautiful and invigorating .You go into your own world and ignore anyone else, it's your time as others have said no-one notices as much as you think and who cares?! You are missing out so much not going outside give it a go you won't go back to the boring treadmill keep us posted🏃♀️👍🙌
I’ve done treadmill and outdoors in the past, and personally prefer outdoors even on wet and grim weather! (Not ice though - that’s an excellent reason to return to the treadmill!) If you’re happy on the treadmill there’s no need to run outdoors - it’s entirely your choice. But if you do want to, give it a go. I’m running after dark at the moment - partly for lower visibility and partly because that’s what suits my diary. But in the past I’ve been a daylight runner - mostly after various people I knew asked if they’d seen me running - and were only ever impressed and never judgemental.
We are our own worst enemies, and all too easily get caught up in our own negative thoughts. Leave those nasty voices behind you, and go for it 
I have been in exactly the same place as you. However, after posting on here and receiving lots of positive advice, I do run outside for two of my runs a week. I still allow myself to run once a week on the treadmill but on the whole, will run outside now. Earphones in, music on and sometimes will take the dog if I need a bit of extra reassurance. I try not too think too much before I get out the door. I say to myself, you can’t allow the negative to win and how much better I feel when I do it. At worse, I can walk or come home but luckily, I’ve not had to do either. I make a conscious effort of smiling or saying good morning to everyone I pass and 99% of the time it is reciprocated. Try not to be so hard on yourself. We are our own worst enemies at times. Good luck with your running.
Well done. By the time you've done your warm-up, you'll be 5mins away from the house. No one will know you. Just get out there. You know you want to.
Hi Oscar0402 , as an almost 62 year old woman I get where you're coming from. But 62 is not old. Then, as others have rightly said, it's unlikely that anyone will even notice you, let alone be interested. Don't worry about what might or might not be in others' heads, it's not your problem. If someone has an opinion when they see you running, they should keep it to themselves, unless it's polite, positive and encouraging. Anything else is unacceptable.
As others have said. Congratulations on your achievement so far that is the most important thing. “People will look or stare and think fat old lady”. And then what happens? You run some more and some other people think about their dog or spouse or work and for you nothing happens You run some more.
People think lots of things but we remain blissfully unaware and even less caring most of the time.
It is not what others are thinking it is what you are thinking about what they are thinking.
Do what you always do about other peoples thinking. Carry on with your life blissfully ignorant and uncaring of what other people are thinking. You got this 😀
I started when I was just a bit older than you but the way I looked at it running on a treadmill meant I stayed in one place so was very visible whereas if I was out and met someone our meeting would be fleeting. Great job done anyway.
Getting yourself out of the door is a massive step but far scarier to think about than it actually is. It took me 3 weeks to get the nerve to try and I thought, like you, everyone will stare and say what on earth does this fat wobbly old lady think she's doing? Guess what, it's not like that at all. People with don't notice you or they smile and say hello or it's nice weather for it or something like that, other runners invariably say something encouraging as they sprint past, it's all been positive. If you can, try it, you'll be surprised I know 🏃♀️🐌☺️
First week of graduation. First run outside... I'm scared ! 
Slightly scared about week 5 run 3, help!
Help, Not run for 2 weeks and scared!
Heart scare over, getting back to running... Yippee!
