Starting Over - outside

bankstisha

So I started C25K back in January on the treadmill. My 5k was March 5th. I had to repeat a week or two here or there, so I was at week 6 when I did my 5k. I did it in 46 minutes and while I was proud I finished, I realized IT'S A LOT HARDER OUTSIDE! lol

So I decided to start over, but do it all outside now. Spring has sprung early in Ohio, so it's a perfect time as well. I started with week 1 day 1 today and I was fine breathing wise, but my feet really hurt! I'm thinking it's time to get new shoes.

Any suggestions on running outside v the treadmill?

GroupXZ

I will be on week 3 day 3 this Friday. I have been doing it outside and usually I speed walk/jog on the treadmill, it is extremely hard to do it outside!

My advice is (even though I just started) just keep going and do not stop.

fourluvbugs

I've now done two days outside and the rest on the treadmill. I just finished week 5, day 2 and did it outside. I also ran week 4, day 3 outside. My thoughts are this..... its definitely different than the treadmill, though I don't think its necessarily harder.

Things that are better outside: changing scenery; ascertainable goals (to that stop sign, now to the next street light, etc) which make it easier to feel like I am accomplishing something and see how far I was able to run; fresh air so that I don't get as hot and sweaty; and I get to run downhill sometimes and feel really fast!; my kids can't come and talk to me or ask me for stuff, it truly becomes something that is uninterrupted me time.

Things that are a little trickier outside: there are up hills, too; the pavement has a bumpy and unlevel surface; its a bit tougher on my knees since the treadmill has some cushioning to absorb a bit of the shock; I feel like I'm going slower outside, though according to my GPS watch thing (which is oh so cool and a plus to running outside) I go about the same speed or even a touch faster outside.

I guess my advice is this -- step carefully, allow your body a rest day between runs to recover from the shock of it all, and enjoy the experience!