<p>I need to get in shape for soccer, after months of almost no exercise. I do have a treadmill at home, but I HATE running on it, and it's hard for me to breathe inside. I would enjoy running outside much more but the only problems are:
1) My community is really nosy. I don't want to run on busy streets, where everyone turns their head and looks at people on the sidewalk.
2) I'm a girl, so it's probably not safe, but I do have 2 dogs. The big one is too old though, and wouldn't be able to handle miles of running. The other one is smaller, a little bigger than a beagle, and not very scary looking, so I dunno if it would help if I was in danger...</p>
<p>So what do you think I should do? Suck it up and run on the treadmill? Or take my dog and run outside?</p>
<p>Where do you guys run (other than school)? At the parK? Somewhere else? I just don't want to run by the street.</p>
<p>I’ve lived across the street from an elementary school all my life. So if I want to run outside and avoid the annoying guys a few blocks from here, I can just run in circles on the soccer field across the street. You might want to find some park or field in your neighborhood like that.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I’d say run on the treadmill. I sort of hate running on mine too, because it’s in my basement which is really gross and there are giant bugs and sometimes rats and mice, but there’s a TV so it’s not too boring. I used to run a lot but since I dance 4 days a week now and I have other extra currics, I run a lot less.</p>
<p>^I would if I could, but whenever we put machinery outside bugs infest it and it starts rusting/molding.</p>
<p>So a park would be good? The only thing is, a lot of people hang out at parks, and I dunno, I don’t want to be the only one running.(haha sorry I guess I’m feeling self-concious). If I ran early in the morning there would be less people, right?</p>
<p>Do you live near any large-ish parks (i.e. not just a couple baseball fields, doesn’t have to be a huge state park either, just a decently sized park)?</p>
<p>If so, then TRAILS! Particularly for getting in shape.</p>
<ol>
<li>Less stress on the legs in terms of injury risk.</li>
<li>Can actually be a lot of fun if you just explore.</li>
<li>Never have to repeat the same loops over and over again, which is actually more of a subpoint for #2.</li>
</ol>
<p>Trust me, you will regret doing loops like neighborhoods, or especially tracks, because it will get monotonous.</p>
Neighborhoods get really boring after a while (and people can be nosy), health clubs are generally for middle aged runners training for marathons, running extended distances on a track is boring and bad for your legs, and garages have even worse air than a basement. </p>
<p>The best solution would be to find a big park (not a playground or group of playing fields but one with a good amount of trails) or find less busy roads. For instance, in my town, I can go one way and run on busy roads (I never do this), go another way and run on somewhat quieter roads (especially good in off-times of the day), or go to a park with trails.</p>
<p>@theReach. What’s wrong with being picky? I like my privacy, and you don’t live in my neighborhood. Everyone STARES, or comments at the people on the sidewalk (No, I’m not being paranoid), which makes me feel uncomfortable. One time I was running with my soccer team around my neighborhood, and TWICE, cars filled with guys stuck their heads out of the car windows and whistled and said rude things. I would prefer it that didn’t happen when I’m running.</p>
<p>Plus I have really weak ankles (as in sprained multiple times). What sort (trails, pavement, grass, etc) would be the best for my ankles? I know of one really good course but it’s 15 minutes away. I have about 3 parks in my area. but they’re mostly the one baseball field/one soccer field combo.</p>
<p>Go running with like 1 or 2 friends (preferably at least 1 guy) but not so many so you get those guys driving by will make those rude comments. When prepping for lax season, I would run on the streets (I’m a guy) with my girlfriend who was prepping for track because she also didn’t want to go running by herself.</p>