Running: inside/outside?

[Ciara DUK]

Hi there!
I am currently running indoors on a mini-trampoline/trampette.

Although it feels convenient after work, this is something I'm looking to shake up a bit. I have been hoping to start making the most of the lighter days and fairer weather 😉

What are some tips for running outdoors?
What are your experiences in general around running inside, and out-and -about? Thanks!

 

[Callista]

Decent running shoes for outdoors - unlike running machines at gyms, the pavements give no 'bound back' alas. Much tougher on the old footsies!

I can't even begin to imagine running on a trampoline! Don't you just bounce off, overbalence and fall off? Or maybe it develops huge core strength to stop that happening!

 

[Callista]

If you run outdoors you have tro remember that however far you go, you'll have to run back as well! And if you hit a gradient, and start to labour, there's no button to press that conveniently reduces the gradient to zero, as there is on a running machine!!!!!

People can look at you weirdly. Not everyone gets out of the way....

 

[Spathiphyllum]

Get the best running shoes, and socks, you can afford. Callista's right-- pavement is tough on feet!

Don't worry about people looking at you! Wear your headphones and admire the sky, the trees, and so on.

Never expect anybody to get out of your way; run well around them, leaving a good margin. People appreciate that. I get lots of smiles, even raised-cane salutes, from little old ladies. ; )

Make sure your gear has enough pockets, or get a belt with pocket(s). At a minimum, you'll need your phone, your keys, and a tissue. If you're Type 1, you'll need a little hypo remedy just in case. I don't carry water but do carry a few sugar-free mints in case my mouth gets dry.

If it looks like rain-- don't let that put you off! A little drizzle won't hurt you. (By the way-- I always wear foundation, not officially waterproof, was terrified that it would run off in rivulets-- it doesn't!)

If it looks like it might be heavy rain-- take a folding umbrella with you, hold it like a baton; if the skies really open and it starts pouring, you'll be ok walking home.

It's always hard to know how cold you'll feel when you first go out or how hot you'll get once you've been running a while. Get a little zip-up jacket so you can easily take it off if need be (and easily put it back on again if need be, during your cool-down walk).

 

[Thomas DUK]

I find it's much easier to get a "runner's high" when I'm running indoors because I can focus on my breathing and not worry about people getting out the way, or opening gates etc. Being able to reliably feel that rush of endorphins helps me run for longer so I tend to run indoors all year round. Do what works for you!

 

[helli]

It depends how I feel at the time.
Sure, running on a treadmill (I have no experience of running on a trampoline) is safe, dry, not too bad on my feet.
But, I find it dull, the scenery never changes (unless I am watching tv ... but that is not great), I don't get a vitamin D top up, I don't get anywhere (I some times run to appointments or the shops), I don't get any fresh air.

I find I can't run as far outside as inside - the ups and downs are not predictable, it maybe colder or hotter and it is usually windier. As far as needing to get back home, if I use running as a form of transport, it saves me time and even if I decide to walk part of it (with a brolly on hand) it is still faster than walking all the way and better than taking the car.

You will probably find me running indoors on Sunday. I don't run far but enjoy "running with the marathon" for half an hour or so with the London marathon on the telly.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Inside for me.
It's predictable, consistent, and I can't worm my way out it by the "oh it's raining/cold/too sunny/not sunny enough....."
I can run in my sandals, no annoying stones, and I can vary the terrain to change my heart rate as I want too.

Although recently I been doing more exercise classes, and aqua aerobics to mix things up.
I also find the social contract makes it easier to find reasons to actually go!

 

[nonethewiser]

What are some tips for running outdoors?

Make sure you wear clothes.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Make sure you wear clothes.

Or run really, really fast!

 

[EmmaL76]

Whilst you run on your trampoline, Im off for a swim on my bike

 

[Deb_l]

Top tips from me - someone that hasn’t run in three years lol:

Good trainers
Even better socks
Run your own race and go at your own pace
Cross country is far more interesting than road running
Running in the rain is epic

Have fun xx

 

[Callista]

The treadmills at my gym come with built in TVs - they don't always work however, and they need headphones. (Though if you watch something like Escape to the Country you don't really need a commentary!!!)

One warning about running outdoors with headphones - only one ear, as you need to keep the other ear open for the outside environment, even if you are running in a safe area.

I didn't really mean runners should barge through everyone else (!) but sometimes there can be a bit of a 'dance' that can put you off your stride, ditto with crossing roads.

Also, if you do need to slow to a walk (run out of puff etc), bur are in all your running, gear, you can look a bit daft - it's pretty obvious you've stopped because you're cream crackered. You may want to 'power walk' to look as though it was deliberate!!!!

 

[Spathiphyllum]

Also, if you do need to slow to a walk (run out of puff etc), bur are in all your running, gear, you can look a bit daft

No, you really don't!!!

For one thing, runners are generally well advised to start with a warm-up walk and end with a cool-down walk. For another, 'interval training'-- alternating between bits of running and bits of walking-- is widely recommended, for everybody from beginners to serious athletes. And for a third thing: probably the most widely used running programme in the UK is the NHS Couch to 5k app, which uses interval training. So-- it is so common to see people in running gear walking that nobody will think it looks daft.

Apologies; I get very exercised about this (if you'll pardon the pun!) because fear of 'looking silly' keeps so many people from exercising, which is such a shame, because those fears are unfounded. And I'm speaking from experience: I used to fear 'looking silly', but now I know better, and it makes a huge difference. All best wishes!

 

[Admiral Benbow]

Running outside is certainly better than running inside if the weather conditions and running area is good. I live in Taiwan, and am a 7 min walk from a school with an outside track. I go every saturday (or sunday if raining) and the weather is always about 22 degrees or higher all year. I can't run outside in Canada because 8 months of the year it is just too cold, and the air is dry. I would have to go to a gym.
Here, I do 4 warm up jogging laps, 20 sprints about 3/4 of the track walk the rest of it, and then add 1 lap walking between sprints. So in total 44 laps. This works out to about 16 km every weeked. It takes about 3 hours to do, but I take a 5-10 min rest under the trees after about 10 sprints. The last 10 sprints go quicker. My knees hurt a little bit after, but I feel really good after a shower, then checking my BP (which goes really low), then going to eat a sushi meal where I load up on salmon, tuna, miso soup, broccoli, etc.

 

[Callista]

Glad to hear you don't look daft if you stop and walk!!! 🙂

I agree one should take no notice of other people's opinions of you anyway - that's their problem, not yours. 🙂

 

[Ciara DUK]

Decent running shoes for outdoors - unlike running machines at gyms, the pavements give no 'bound back' alas. Much tougher on the old footsies!

I can't even begin to imagine running on a trampoline! Don't you just bounce off, overbalence and fall off? Or maybe it develops huge core strength to stop that happening!

Ah thank you - great tip 🙂

In fairness, the mini trampoline was advertised as an 'exercise trampette'...in my understanding and experience it is a bit easier on my joints, but I have no idea about how hard it works your core - I'd hope it does give it a work out haha! 😉

Will admit with Spring 'springing' into play a bit more, and will all the replies and advice - I get the feeling the trampette might have a bit of a holiday whilst it's warmer...

 

[Ciara DUK]

Inside for me.
It's predictable, consistent, and I can't worm my way out it by the "oh it's raining/cold/too sunny/not sunny enough....."
I can run in my sandals, no annoying stones, and I can vary the terrain to change my heart rate as I want too.

Although recently I been doing more exercise classes, and aqua aerobics to mix things up.
I also find the social contract makes it easier to find reasons to actually go!

Ah, I do see this as a valid point too!

Aqua aerobics? Oh that sounds interesting :O

 

[Ciara DUK]

Top tips from me - someone that hasn’t run in three years lol:

Good trainers
Even better socks
Run your own race and go at your own pace
Cross country is far more interesting than road running
Running in the rain is epic

Have fun xx

Thank you! Such lovely tips 🙂

Looking forward to trying out a run in the rain sometime 😉 sounds exhilarating!

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Ah, I do see this as a valid point too!

Aqua aerobics? Oh that sounds interesting :O

It's good fun, and quite social.
It's also an exercise you can put as much or as little into as you want to, so it suits a great variety of people
I use ankle dive weights which give it a bit more impact.

 

[Spathiphyllum]

Thank you! Such lovely tips 🙂

Looking forward to trying out a run in the rain sometime 😉 sounds exhilarating!

Running in light rain is actually nice. If you wear glasses, a baseball-type cap helps, or just get your tissue from your pocket and do a little 'windshield wipe' when needed.

Running in torrential downpour has one particular advantage, as I've learned from experience: you will run faster than you'd ever believed possible. ; )

On another subject-- relating to the greater impact stress when running outside (as compared to a treadmill or 'trampette'):

From everything I've read, breathing rhythm is very important. (See for example https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a28413381/rhythmic-breathing/ .) If you are always exhaling on the same foot, this increases your risk of injury.

So, for a slow jogger like me, it is apparently a very good idea to inhale for three steps and exhale for two; and, if you're a faster runner, inhale for two steps and exhale for one. (If you're sprinting, you'll probably have to do one in one out.)

It may feel a bit odd, and require some concentration, at first; but I've found it doesn't take very long before it becomes a habit, and it's also mentally soothing and calming. Basically, it's combining the benefits of breathing exercises and of running.