First time running outside, gulp

Babieseverywhere
Babieseverywhere Posts: 311 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Husband suggested that we talk the kids for a walk in the woods this afternoon, in our running stuff and take turns doing our C25k week runs OUTSIDE.

Up to now I have only run (slowly) inside on a treadmill, where no one can see me wobble IYSWIM. I am excited but worried I'll fail or fall over. But everyone says running outside is more interesting and harder, so I want to try it.

Plus I might be starting a boxing fitness class next week and the teacher takes the class on a run through the village, so I need to get over running where people see me.

So think of me, in a couple of hours I'll be having a go of Week Five Run Two outside, hope I don't end up in A&E ;) And my first eight minute run (x 2) which frankly sounds very scary, but so was a 60 second run a few weeks ago.

Off for lunch.

Replies

  • Ayla20103005
    Ayla20103005 Posts: 104 Member
    Have fun! Running outside is so much better than on a treadmill :)
    You might find it harder at first, I know I did, after 6 weeks of C25K inside, then carried on outside.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Outside is different, you feel it in your calves/
  • Babieseverywhere
    Babieseverywhere Posts: 311 Member
    Right, harder & feel in calves. Guess that is because I have to push my body forward rather than keep up with the floor moving under me IYSWIM.

    I'll just see how I go, if it is too hard I can always go back to the treadmill and just keep trying outside at the weekends until I can do it.
  • Ayla20103005
    Ayla20103005 Posts: 104 Member
    keep at it, and it will become easier :)
    What week are you up to?
  • amberwebb79
    amberwebb79 Posts: 113 Member
    I do most of my running on a treadmill due to location and time, but I always thought running outside was way easier. It's fun and scenic and has more obstacles to play around with. It makes me feel more accomplished, because I'm actually going someplace.

    I'm starting back running after a 7 year or so break, so I'm on Week 6 Day 3 of C25K today.
  • JamesBurkes
    JamesBurkes Posts: 382 Member
    Newbie runner here, but I find running outside to be a lot easier than running on the treadmill, possibly because I get embarrassed at my breathlessness when in the gym and I get bored easily and have nothing to focus on except how much discomfort I'm in. Outside though, I can puff and pant without self-consciousness, the scenery is changing and I can push myself by thinking, "I'll just get to that corner," "I'll just get to the top of this hill...."

    True, it's harder physically to run outside, but the mental benefits of being outside seem to spur me on so much more.
  • razors_girl23
    razors_girl23 Posts: 32 Member
    I love running outside. It's soooo much better than on a treadmill. I cannot stand treamills. I find them a lot more painful because you've only got your running to think about. Outside there are lots of distractions and James is right, thinking about getting to a specific thing like a hill or light that you can see gives you motivation to keep running.

    I started running about 18 months ago and couldn't run for more than a couple hundred metres at a time. Now I've run 10 and 12km events and can run up to 5-6km non-stop. Starting running is the best thing I ever did. If you keep at it, you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish. All the best and don't worry about what others think of you and your "wobbly bits". You're out there and not on the lounge eating junk food, so who gives a stuff!
  • misslouisee
    misslouisee Posts: 73 Member
    I definitely prefer running outside. try not to worry about anyone and what they are thinking of you. When I see people running I'm usually thinking that I should be running and they are fit and committed! Doesn't matter what they think anyway, it's for you! Get some music on and you won't even notice others
  • helma123
    helma123 Posts: 79 Member
    Running outside is so much more enjoyable! Don't worry about other people seeing you. For one thing, more than likely they'll be impressed that you are running rather than thinking anything negative. Just focus on your run & the scenery & have fun! By the way,
    I find outside running to be easier because you don't have to hold such a steady pace as you do on the treadmill. Good luck!
  • slimkitty
    slimkitty Posts: 418
    I like running outside and on a treadmill. I like the treadmill because I can raise the incline and get a really great workout from the simulated hill run. I also like the outside, the fresh air, experiencing the climate changes, etc. Also on my run outside, I stop by a playground and do a few pull ups on the monkey bars. I love doing it both ways.
  • Babieseverywhere
    Babieseverywhere Posts: 311 Member
    You're out there and not on the lounge eating junk food, so who gives a stuff!
    Bless you, this made me laugh and it is very true. I might look a little daft but at least I AM getting fitter.

    Ayla20103005, I'm on Week Five Run Two...WU / 8 min run / 5 min walk / 8 min run / CO
  • Babieseverywhere
    Babieseverywhere Posts: 311 Member
    I must confess whenever I see a runner I am so impressed that they are fit enough to do it. That said ALL the runners I have ever seen are so skinny and fast, where are the slow fat ones like me hiding ?!
  • kir911
    kir911 Posts: 228 Member
    I just completed week one of the couch to 5k...and I totally feel you! I have been avoiding running like the plague partly because I had such a hard time doing it. My husband convinced me to try and when I finally decided to do it, I decided I was going to do it all the way. I looked for a 5k run to do and started the program. I have been running outside. It is a little hard on my joints, knees, hips etc, but I think I prefer it. I throw my IPOD on, and have my HIIT timer that tells me when to go and stop on my intervals and before I know it...its done! I am actually excited to see how quickly I will progress! I am a self conscious too about how I look running, but, I just keep thinking....if I keep doing it, pretty soon I will look like a fit runner instead of a heavy girl running! lol Good luck and keep at it!
  • misslouisee
    misslouisee Posts: 73 Member
    I must confess whenever I see a runner I am so impressed that they are fit enough to do it. That said ALL the runners I have ever seen are so skinny and fast, where are the slow fat ones like me hiding ?!

    A lot of them are too scared to go out there and through fear of being judged by others, such a shame. Doesn't matter how big or small, fit or unfit. and I did see a young guy who was quite overweight running the other day, and I still thought "good on him", for getting out there and doing it. x hope it goes well x
  • silhouettes
    silhouettes Posts: 517 Member
    I can't stand the treadmill anymore now that I started outside. It's easier on the treadmill in a way, but I find on the treadmill it seems longer and harder in the fashion that I just want to get off... it gets hot and sticky in the house and you have to turn on fans.. but outside the air really helps and feels good on your skin and to have your surroundings change is nice. The time seems to pass quicker outside and I find I go longer than I planned when I'm outside and when inside I count the seconds until it's over.
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    out side, always outside. once you start running up hills, your going to want to get rid of your treadmill. man, my legs feel great, and for a guy, nothing gets your chest popping like a good run up and down some hills.


    pm for pictures ;-)
  • Babieseverywhere
    Babieseverywhere Posts: 311 Member
    I'm back and that was interesting.

    My husband and I walked half the figure of eight with the children (plus pram, bike and scooter) to check out the path and so that I would know where to run, as I have terrible sense of direction. We had planned to walk the entire run but the kids got tired of the walk.

    So we took turns just to run the half loop and the other one waited with the children.

    I set off carefully as it was very rocky and muddy in places but the sun broke through the forest and it was so pretty. I laughed to myself as I followed the winding path, I felt totally free in the middle of nowhere, no one else in sight. Such a wonderful feeling :)

    It was only a short 0.87 mile run and it took me just over 11 minutes. But what surprised me was how fast I ran, considering 4 mph is what I do on the treadmill. I had an average speed of 4.67 mph with a maximum of 8.37 mph !

    We hope to get a babysitter and go without the children next weekend and see what the full figure of eight is like.

    Anyway off to my treadmill to do C25K W5R2 just wondering whether to try running faster of to stick at 4mph for now ?
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    I'm back and that was interesting.

    My husband and I walked half the figure of eight with the children (plus pram, bike and scooter) to check out the path and so that I would know where to run, as I have terrible sense of direction. We had planned to walk the entire run but the kids got tired of the walk.

    So we took turns just to run the half loop and the other one waited with the children.

    I set off carefully as it was very rocky and muddy in places but the sun broke through the forest and it was so pretty. I laughed to myself as I followed the winding path, I felt totally free in the middle of nowhere, no one else in sight. Such a wonderful feeling :)

    It was only a short 0.87 mile run and it took me just over 11 minutes. But what surprised me was how fast I ran, considering 4 mph is what I do on the treadmill. I had an average speed of 4.67 mph with a maximum of 8.37 mph !

    We hope to get a babysitter and go without the children next weekend and see what the full figure of eight is like.

    Anyway off to my treadmill to do C25K W5R2 just wondering whether to try running faster of to stick at 4mph for now ?

    run faster. now that you know you can run an average of 4.6 mph, why would you run any less? i'm all about pushing yourself. maybe not today, considering you did a bit of a run already, but tomorrow try for setting ur machine to 4.7 mph, and keeping up with it?? inside of you is the capacity to be a little better today then you were yesterday.
  • Babieseverywhere
    Babieseverywhere Posts: 311 Member
    Thanks I'll try and push myself next run :)
  • razors_girl23
    razors_girl23 Posts: 32 Member
    Just don't push too hard. It's very easy to injure yourself if you go out too hard or too far. Also try not to get discouraged if you have a bad run. They happen all too often. I find the best runs I do are the ones where I have to literally force myself out the front door because I don't want to go. Like the other night I went out in the rain and ran 4km. I hadn't run in almost 4 weeks, so wasn't expecting much at all. I ended up doing it non-stop, it didn't hurt at all and I actually really enjoyed it. Then on Sunday, I entered a 5km fun run with my step-daughter which I was really looking forward to and it hurt the whole way. The hot weather definitely affects me.
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