Running outside

Running outside is soooo much better than running a treadmill. Of course, if you haven't been running with the treadmill set to an incline you're going to find it much more difficult at first. You have to propel yourself rather than just keep up with a backward-moving belt. You also can't set a speed and just go so be sure you don't take off so quickly that you burn yourself out early in the run.

If you're not used to running outside, start off slow. Slower than you think you should be going. It can be really deceiving.

I prefer outside. In addition to the above advice (shoes and speed being critical) I would suggest finding either a track to start off with (local high school perhaps) or some asphalt paved trails/roads to run on. Those are a bit softer than concrete. I run on concrete a lot with no problem, but all of these are firmer than the surface of a treadmill so it might be nice to ramp up surface hardness a bit at a time.

I hate the dreadmill. To me running outside is so much better. I just feel so much better when I can run outside. I use a garmin on my runs instead of the app but they are expensive and unless you find that you are going to run a lot I would not suggest getting one.

A friend of mine uses Map My Run and loves it. It is a free app.

I am a huge baby and avoid running during the -483294C winter months. That being said, it's starting to warm up now and I am braving it now since there's no ice on the paths.

BUT as said: layers are key! Also, shoes are super important - if you don't already have a decent pair or have been fitted for one.
And if you're doing trail runs, be prepared to be slower due to changing inclines.

I always prefer running outside, I feel I run way stronger and faster! So good luck.

yusaku02 wrote: »

I absolutely hate the treadmill. Running outside is so much better.

My suggestion would be not to run for time, run for distance. So don't plan a 20 minute run or a 40 minute jog where you go out and back. Plan (and map out ahead of time) a 4 mile or 7.5 mile loop that starts and ends at your home instead.

Yeah, you can't just push the stop button when you're tired. If you ran 8 miles away from your house, you have to run 8 miles to get back. A nice loop is a good idea for sure. Personally I like something that's around a mile. It's not so big that you can't stop at a certain point but not so small that you feel like you're running in circles.

Find some trails and hit them! Start slow and build to a solid base. Whatever that is for you. Here are some of my tips, of course some of them are just preferences!

1) Good running shoes are a must.
2) Ditch the music, it sucks at first but after a while I find it so much more enjoyable.
3) A good GPS watch is all you need to track runs.
4) Don't worry about your speed at first.
5) If you really want to improve running sign up for a 5k, or a 10k and find a adequate training plan for you. It always helped me to have a race on the books.
6) log your miles and keep track of them. I have logged every run for 3+ years. It's great to see improvements. You can also see times you were in slumps and that they do pass.
7) Most of all ENJOY yourself. Running should be fun and relaxing! For me there is nothing better then a 2+ hour run. It's alone time that I get, almost a form of meditation.

Dress for the weather and go slower than you would on a treadmill. You don't have the ground propelling you like the treadmill belt does.

If you're going to be running in the dark, bring a headlamp or flashlight and make sure you have bright/reflective clothing on. I use RunKeeper on my phone to track my runs and I really like it. Good luck

Once you start running outside, you'll never want to run on the dreadmill again.

A helpful tool on what to wear:
runnersworld.com/what-to-wear