I have worked out a circular route of 5.88k which in many ways is perfect. Firstly, it's circular so I avoid the temptation to turn back early! Mainly though, it starts and ends in front of my sons' school, so (very shortly once the days are just a little longer) I will be able to go straight from work, run, and then pick them up from after school club. The time is tight, so getting anywhere else to run and then getting there to pick them up is pushing it a little. BUT, I ran it last week and although the 1st half is fairly straightforward (and a route I run a lot), the second 1/2 involves crossing a railway line (ie walking across the tracks - at a designated point, but clearly this involves stopping, taking headphones out, looking both ways etc) and crossing a fairly busy road 3 times as the pavement changes sides and it's not really suitable to run on the road itself. Each stop takes a bit of time (on one occasion I had to wait for quite a while to get across the road) and I would get my breath back etc. So, is it actually improving my running / stamina / fitness? Obviously I'll be burning calories, but do all the stops somehow ruin the 'training' aspect of it?
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Rather than stop to cross the railway and busy roads, just sprint across them really fast. A great workout.
If you have your wits about you, you'll be OK.
It could bring a new meaning to the term "well-trained" = squashed on the railway track!
If I really don't want to stop at roads (if I'm doing a steady or tempo run, or just enjoying the rhythm, I just turn and run off down the road I need to cross until a chance comes to get over safely. But then I do all my running in semi rural areas or in built up areas very early.
I know what you mean about stopping and currently trying to run further before 'natural' walk breaks. If i'm not on a trail most of my running is on single track roads and will always step off the road if there is traffic - sometimes I'm hoping for a car to come along so I can have a 5 second break but as others have said, you have still run the same distance and it's all good I'm sure. As for traffic lights, we don't have them where I live
The stopping doesn't matter. you're still out there running which is what matters. The other important point is that you get back in one piece to pick up the children AND be able to run another day, far better than then alternative! In fact I quite often stop to admire the view or look at something of interest, what's the point of runnign outside if you can't enjoy the view?
Well said. I always stop to stroke friendly cats