๐ฅถ Ok, so it was still icy up here this week, and looking at next weekโs weather report, the week can still be cold and in parts icy, and some of the runners amongst us will decide to not dare the treacherous roads and paths in wind, ice and rain. I certainly chickened out over the last wintery days, 9 days of no running, which was the longest duration since starting with C25k! So I was feeling it and although I compensated with rowing and Yoga, I was missing it badly. And then another lockdown happened as well!
(But I did get to squeeze in a run today, and that felt awesome!)
๐ฅ But last Saturday I thought Iโd try something that Iโve come across on this forum, by posts from @oldfloss and @bike_and_run. And that is running to virtual video runs. So hubby and I tried some out over the last 2 weeks, and weโre in mixed minds of what we like and what not.
๐ First of all, for both of us there is no competition to running outside. For both of us, running outside seems more logical, more beautiful, actually less effort and for me โฆ somehow easier on my legs.
๐ก But virtual-in-your-home-running is at least an alternative. And of course for those lucky enough to have a real treadmill, rather than running in a circle in your livingroom like crazies on a leash, this becomes a whole different ballgame.
๐โโ๏ธ But it wasnโt actually half bad, even enjoyable actually.
๐ฆถ But I would advise against running barefoot or in socks, but rather in proper running shoes, as barefoot running seems very hard on oneโs legs. (But shoes in our livingroom is usually a no no, so another conundrum)
๐ฉโ๐ป And we were also in split minds of wether we liked running to music, or to the sound of steps. Iโm fascinated by both, but I do enjoy music with a beat that I can run to, and thatโs hard to find at my slow speed. Or I could set up two devices for the virtual screen as well as the Spotify list, but it really gets complicated then ๐คฏ.
๐ฉ๐ช๐ฌ๐ง I - of course - enjoyed the German video recorded at a public run: it had music I liked, people I can see running and I recognise the type of landscape and cityscape we are running through.
๐ง๐ฝ One thing one has to consciously remember is to warm up and cool down with post-run stretches. And as we were running barefoot/in socks it probably added to the perceived effort. I ended up laying my yoga mat out to run on, as it made it so much softer.
๐คช Doing a bit of silly running here and there breaks up the monotony, but boy do I still prefer outdoor runnning.
๐ฃ When we first tried, we did 20 minutes, and that felt hard, whereas outside I now easily run 60minutes. So is it the hard floors or the on-the-balls-of-your-feet running that makes it seem like such an effort? So maybe running with shoes indoors might be an option for some.
๐ฅต I was sweaty by the end of 20min and we let the German runners run ahead as we stopped for post-run stretches.
โ So I thought Iโd post this and ask: what is your preference? Is indoor running to videos a thing too far, or do you use these for a treadmill?
๐ง Thoughts, comments, ideas and recommendations? Let me know by reply and Iโll be adding any recommendations you may put forward!
๐ Here we go/run:
โ Virtual running Videos
๐ฃ Wintery Mountains with Music at Mount Cook National Park in the South Island of New Zealand music and no step sounds, and no people.
(50 min) Virtual Running Videos For Treadmill With Music | Virtual Run Mountain
๐ฃ A German Run with people and music but no step sounds. But the music is good (although to fast for my steps/minute)
Treadmill Virtual Run 58: Elbelauf 10K, Brunsbรผttel, Germany
๐ฃ Sunny beach at Sandymount, Ireland for those who miss the sun. Only your steps, the wind and the sea. No music.
Virtual Run 60 Minutes | Virtual Running Videos For Treadmill 4K | Virtual Exercise Video
๐ฃ New York run with the sounds around you, but no step sounds and no music
(virtual running through NYC was recommended by @Bike_and_run a few weeks ago)
World Nature Video (30 min) Run at Home 5 Miles in 30 Minutes on the best running paths in Manhattan - New York
๐ฃ London empty except for you as the smooth runner, no step sounds but electronic music
Fordy Runs (60 min) LONDON Virtual Run | Virtual Running Videos For Treadmill With Music
๐ฃ Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls in Ohio is just the sound of your steps in a solitary snowy landscape.
(Recommendation by Oldfloss)
Treadmill TV (58 min) Old Man's Cave Snow Run
โ Traditional Indoor Walk/Jog Workout
And here, not a virtual run, but a more traditional indoor walking and jogging workout routine, with very cool music, which - if you canโt get excited about virtual running - might be just the right thing for you:
๐ฃ Brian Syuki Focus Fitness (21 min) Home Jogging Workout for Beginners/ 20 Minute Indoor Running Workout
โ And a fun link to an informative recent video for those who do have a treadmill and are up for not only running virtually, but running with other virtual runners; a real game + treadmill mash-up! (oh do I wish I had a treadmill, just to try this one out!)๐คฉ๐คฉ๐คฉ
๐ฃVirtual Place and Virtual Co-Runners anyone? Try this one for your virtual you!
Running Channel (10min) What is Zwift
Happy real running in your chosen virtual or real
worlds!
