When and where do you go running?

[Maudula]

I have just undertaken my first run of the programme and ran after work at my local gym on the running machine. The only problem is that the gym is very busy at this time. Where and when do you go running?

[TJFlute]

I run outside 99% of the time because I enjoy being outside and it fits in with my life style and the time I have. Whether you run outside or in the gym doesn't matter, but consistency does, so just make sure that the timing suits you so that you can maintain the commitment.

[shelleymcb Graduate]

Im more of a morning person so like to run first thing, well, after Ive dropped the kids at school. this suits me. I run either at the gym or in the corner of my workroom on the treadmill.

I have been running outside, but find that this is usually after school accompanying my girls & then I get stitch!

I agree with TJFlute, find a time that suits you

[Minuette Graduate]

I always run in the morning, before breakfast as this suits me really well. I usually run on the treadmill at home but have just recently started running in the park which is a 10 minute drive from me.

Years ago however I used to do fast walking on the treadmill at the local gym, funny I never thought of running on the treadmill then, thought it was beyond me. But I used to be there when it opened at 6.30am, before the kids were up and by the time I'd got home, my husband had them ready for school and I just needed to drop them off before I went to work.

[ChrisMcB Graduate]

I've run in the park, mostly, and like to run on grass when it's dry enough. For years, I ran on and off on treadmills and it's just not for me. But yesterday I just ran along the street, for a change. I was a bit paranoid when I started that people would look and think 'look at that fat guy puffing and trying to run!' - but I bet noone notices. Now I'm excited that I can see more of my local area by running there.

[Caz9 Graduate]

When I followed the c25k programme I ran around my local park. Then I progressed to running around my local streets. I have a couple of 3 and 4 mile routes that I use and go either clockwise or anticlockwise depending on how I feel (the 3 mile clockwise route is mostly downhill, but uphill the other way!). If I run at the weekend (later in the day when I can do a longer run) I incorporate about half a mile of the local canal and half a mile of countryside too, for a bit of variation.

To fit in with my lifestyle I'm out running Mon, Wed and Fri, generally by 6.40am and back by 7.30am. Unless I'm doing a parkrun which starts at 9am on a Saturday.

If I put off running until the evening, I think I would find too many excuses not to go!

[AliB1 Graduate]

I run very early in the morning 5.30/5.45am if it is in the week and when I wake up at the weekend. If I didn't go before work like Caz9 I know that I'd find excuses not to go!!

I run in the streets around where I live (and that's just off the high street). Would prefer a park but haven't got time to get in the car and drive anywhere (I get up early enough!!!!)

[Deryn61 Graduate]

I run every other day. It has to be after work (5 ish) if its a work day but on my 3 non working days, either 8 am or early afternoon - my days off are organised round niece sitting which varies in line with my sis in laws shifts)

I like the idea of running early before work, but in practice I just cant get up, have a bite to eat, let it go down, run, shower and leave the house for work by 7.15!

On work days I usually run round Swansea Marina/seafront. Lovely and quiet at present but might have to rethink this come summer. On my days off I run a canal path or the wood (the wood is very rough and muddy in parts so is very hard work!).

[Caz9 Graduate in reply to Deryn61]

Ah well, the thing to do is - get up, go for a run, shower and then have a bite to eat!

[juicydee Graduate]

I run in the evenings after work, about 6pm - straight in from work, glass of water, change, run! I have mapped out a couple of runs that start 5 mins' walk from my house, so it's just round the local streets but kind of a pretty route. Then back to cook dinner.... although I do also like a Saturday morning run when possible - trouble is I don't have many free Saturday mornings. Or Sundays, cos I'm involved in my local church. But evenings suit me fine as they wake me up!!

[K_Pax]

I live in a city center and run around the estates here. I used to be quite intimidated running through peoples' estates while they watched, smoking fags in their doorways, but very quickly I realised that the pavements belong to all of us and a wave or a breathless smile mean a lot to even the meanest looking people. I once tried running on a treadmill but it wasn't for me. I run after work and after teatime when my partner goes out to play football. It means I eat very little for tea so I don't feel sluggish while running and means I can go to bed exhausted instead of stressed about my next day at work.

[leighanne]

i run after work at 7ish and at the weekends and my day off go any time i run around my local area

[Rose885 Graduate]

During the week I usually do one run after work (5pm) and one run before work (5.30am) and then one on the weekend around 9-10am. I live in a city so just run on the pavement near my flat, lots of long wide residential streets which I like.

[Hellsteeth Graduate]

I run Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday morning. I try to keep to this schedule even when travelling for work, so have managed to complete runs in Sweden, Dubai, NYC, London, Paris and Washington DC. When at home I have a regular course to a local park that is exactly 1km round the park. So the 5 min warm up is me walking to the park, then 5 times round the park followed by the 5 min warm down back to home.

[NicolaD Graduate]

I run Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings before work. My alarm goes off at 6am, I change straight into my running gear which I leave out ready to throw on, then do a few stretches and out the door. I just run a circuit around my local estate. Usually back for 6.45am, few stretches, breakfast then dive in the shower.

I've tried running after work but find I dwell on it all day and end up coming up with an excuse not to do it!

[louby43 Graduate]

I've run for about 2 years on our treadmill but found it so boring. I tried running outside but couldn't ever seem to master it, my throat would hurt and I would just give up. I started the C25K 4 weeks ago and am loving it. The first 2 weeks were pretty easy and I did find myself running when I should have been walking lol. I run around our local area, quite pretty houses and reasonably flat. Running outside is much more interesting! It's the way forward now!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Most often after the school run - makes up for having to transport them, and is conveniently a couple of hours after I've eaten breakfast. But some days I know I am not well enough then and need to be back in bed asap, so I do it later.

I vary where I go - partly to keep the dog on her toes - but I do have a favourite bit of woodland. I do a different route in it every time, sometimes with different starting points, but I find it much easier and more fun running on forest rides and little pathways negotiating the tree roots, brambles and bogs than pounding along a hard surface.