I've got to week 9 and am finding it really enjoyable until, and here is the problem, I started to run outside on the streets etc. You see I've been running inside my house around the rooms music on and loving it. I do have the space fortunately and a big enough garden but now that I have visited a running shop and got the correct shoes etc. thought I would try outside proper and was so disappointed that I found it so hard compared to indoors. Should I persevere with outside or continue in my happy bubble inside? Thank you for reading as I know it's a bit long winded.
Problem: I've got to week 9 and am finding it... - Couch to 5K
Problem
Written by
Rabbitrunner53
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35 Replies
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YesletsgoAmbassadorGraduate
Well done getting to week 9!What made running outside so hard for you? The heat? People? Surroundings? Something else?
Lots of us love to run outdoors but some places are definitely better than others. Maybe try it again in a prettier place when it's cooler?
Alternatively, maybe a treadmill might help for longer runs, maybe put it in your garden?
Keep at it and do what works for you.
Treadmill sounds like a good idea. Thank you.
Curlygurly2Graduate
I don't see why it has to be either/or. You could do both if you wanted. Personally, I love running outside, in nature, but I'm fairly lucky with where I live, I have the river and lots of green spaces etc.
I think if you wanted to increase your distance you would find it easier outside, so it depends on how you now want your journey to progress. Why did you find it hard outside? Different surface maybe? You could try different routes and see what suits you.
I ran along a grass path. Beautiful location but my breathing was laboured and my legs felt heavy so maybe I'm a treadmill runner.
Grass is hard going, for me it is anyway. Did you get trail shoes?
Brooks running shoes I don't think they are trail.
drl212Graduate
I think you can make your runs into whatever you like. If running indoors makes you happy then that seems the way to go.
I tried a different C25K years ago - mostly treadmill - and when I got outside for a race, I found it so challenging.
This time around, I've only done one treadmill run and everything outside. And now, I love it! Even in mid-winter or when I get caught in the rain.
If you want to explore outside, try a couple of runs - or back up and repeat some earlier weeks outside.
I agree with CG2 - grass is difficult for me, too.
Let us know how you get on...
Thank you. I will.
JeremiahObadiahGraduate
I would imagine that you would need to put in some ‘transition’ arrangements to adjust to running beyond your home and garden.
At present you are not used to road cambers/uneven surfaces/different terrain. You would soon acclimatise, I would think, if you returned to something like week3& 4 runs to get your ‘outside’ legs working and accustomed to the surface.
Choose a flattish good footpath if you can to start on or lane/pavement( unless your garden is hilly). Might be better to give outside running a few more goes before investing in a big bit of kit which might get dull after a short while.
Please let us know what you find works for you.
I will. Thank you.
OldflossAdministratorGraduate
Long winded... not at all... ( read my rambles) !
You have already had to great , helpful replies.. the biggest issue that comes to mind is, that it is different... Out or in...and like our running all the time, it evolves. If we give it a chance
You have got used to what you are doing... and it is familiar, you have control... outside, everything is different , even the same route, the same run , things change... your home stays the same.
Take a look at this too, it may help you get a handle on things...and give you some goals and targets.
brooksrunning.com/en_us/blo...
If you read some of the posts here, it my inspire you to give it a go... and as Curlygurly2 says, a bit of both!
I run and then I ramble on.... so much to see and sense, outdoors, but that is me and my choice... Try different routes, find some harder surface trails, or shorter grass?
Are there any old railway walking routes, or canal pathways. I find too much pavement pounding is not for me, which is why I love my field ways and trails...but we are all wonderfully different.
Do let is know ho you move on... please, and well done to you, thank you for sharing this
Thank you for all replies I do appreciate the advice. I have also been looking up treadmills. The compact ones seem good for walking but I wonder if they are much use for jogging. Will look into it further.
I had a JTX folding. Used after injury and in ic weather..I never run when it's icy!
That's helpful Oldfloss. Thank you.
Worth looking on Gumtree etc. for used or secondhand too, some very good deals , as they can prove pricey
When I did C25k years ago I did it on a treadmill and then ran outside for one run, I think it was around week 5 and my goodness the difference between outside running and the treadmill is massive! I don’t have a treadmill now so I’ve restarted C25k outside with my 13 year old son and we plan to do races so I know this is the best way for us.
As others have said I think it would be a good idea for you to go back a few weeks, maybe a week where there’s regular running/walking intervals and then build yourself up from there. Treadmills are great but the outdoors are so much better!
I probably will try thatGolf-R thank you
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate
Just to reassure you, this is totally normal! You’re not any worse of a runner than before-there’s just more to deal with which will take some getting used to. It’s worth it though-your options for running will be massively increased if you can get used to running outside. It’s a transition that’s definitely worth the effort and feeling a bit uncomfortable with to start off with.
Maybe knowing you’re not along and you’re not doing anything “wrong” will help? There’s an article here with tips as well…
womensrunning.co.uk/trainin...
Good luck!
BahamaMama1Graduate
As everyone has said 'each to their own'. I love being outdoors and prefer 'weather' to warm sunny runs - that is what works for me. I live in the very hilly south west but my Park Run is pancake flat along the esplande on the sea front - it absolutely kills me! Go with whatever works for you (but outdoors is amazing) 😜
notbadGraduate
just wanted to say well done on getting through the program- indoors or out it’s not always easy. I’m actually in awe that you managed to run so far indoors!
Thank you not bad. I'm loving running indoors to be honest. It suits my knees and hips as the wooden floors are quite gentle on the arthritis 👍
Floradora2Graduate
it might just be that you have become very familiar with where you normally run, you know exactly what is coming next and how long it is going to take you to go a certain distance. Running outside for the first time isn’t like that. You are probably worrying about uneven ground, is there going to be a bit of a hill, not knowing what the next piece of path feels like. All of that uncertainty can make you feel much more laboured. It gets better when you repeat as you know what’s coming next and you begin to relax. I would be inclined to try again doing the same route. Give yourself time to get familiar and I think you’ll probably find it gets much easier. I still worry about running an unfamiliar route and Ikve Ben running for 3 years now.
I think you may have a valid point 👍
Rabbit561Graduate
From one rabbit to another, well done for getting so far already! I’m wondering whether the excitement/anxiety about being outside is making you run a bit faster than is really your pace? I know whenever I pass someone when I’m (very slow) running I have to stop myself from speeding up. I think I just want to get by them quickly and perhaps conscious of how slow I’m going I feel a bit silly whereas I know I should really be proud of what I’m doing.
Make sure you can talk comfortably while you are running and it all gets much easier or I hope so anyway.
Thank you from this bunny to you 🐰
Beachcomber66Graduate
I spoke to my physio about this a few weeks ago; I run outside all of the time, so I wasn’t asking her about my needs. I just asked her about what sort of issues she has to deal with most in order to divert me from her fingers digging into my calf!
In running on grass, you have made a double jump. From inside your house to roads/pavement is a single jump, running on trails/ grass is another leap. As mentioned above, Trail surfaces are often really uneven, so your feet land differently on every step; I did regular calf raises to strengthen my ankles when I started out. What I am saying is that your experience is pretty normal. I just love running outside, and on trails but I had to work at it. My biggest problem was not wanting neighbours to see me going out in running gear 🙄. None of those worries last.
I use Brooks shoes too. I have Adrenalines which I need for stability. They are really road shoes, but they work for me anywhere ( another bit of help from my physio).
The benefits of running outside are such that I would approach it carefully and give it a good chance. Bottom line, this is your project and you do what you need to do for you. 🙂
Thank you Beachcomber66 I really do appreciate your helpful comment. I am going to start from the beginning I think and build up.
Whatever you do, stick with the running. I started aged 66 and am 72 now. It has made a huge difference 🙂.
Oh I definitely intend to stick with the running to be sure. I had a health scare recently and decided I needed to do this. I'm actually fine now but realise at 70 I need to get fitter. Well done to all of us getting up and moving. Yippee.
🙂 a spinal fracture started me off running (once I had recovered of course!). It is fun amazing people !
MrBassmanjazzGraduate
I can't imagine running indoors.Love running outside. Get the air about you. Commune with nature, etc.
I guess we're all different MrBassmanjazz. I actually quite like playing my music out loud as I jog around the kitchen island. 🙂
I have to have music
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