Being in shape for the gym and the real world. Is there a difference?

This is a funny post. I had the EXACT same problem recently. I just quit exercising outside as my solution. At least you're still doing drylands, Geek. Kyra: It takes awhile. Many years ago, I only went to the gym to hit the ellipse machine, treadmill or late night spinning classes. Then, after awhile, I decided, like you, to become a "runner" and enjoy nature more. I felt awful at first and was appalled at my apparent lack of fitness. It took a long while before my legs adapted. You have to start running very gradually, give yourself some rest, and only go up 10% a week. After a month or so, you'll feel better. But it ain't gonna happen over night. It takes a goodly time for the legs to adapt and sometimes you'll still have the plods if you don't take rest days. Once the legs come around, you can ramp it some more, if you want to. I ramped it up a lot for a long time, thought I was in decent shape, and got injured. Then, after all those years of running, I got back in the pool and felt like I could barely swim a 100. So then I felt out of shape in different way... Sometimes, one wonders if one is ever in shape... Just take it slowly and wear good running shoes. Don't always run on the road either. Trails and dirt are good for avoiding shin splints. Sounds like you may need to drink some water in advance of your run so you don't get side stitches. Poolraat may be able to tell you more since he was an age group runner, and I was an adult onset runner. I considered quitting like Geek, but I'm living with a couple of runners who would have given me endless grief. So, now, I just run outside several times a week for fun and "nature."

This is a funny post. I had the EXACT same problem recently. I just quit exercising outside as my solution. At least you're still doing drylands, Geek. Kyra: It takes awhile. Many years ago, I only went to the gym to hit the ellipse machine, treadmill or late night spinning classes. Then, after awhile, I decided, like you, to become a "runner" and enjoy nature more. I felt awful at first and was appalled at my apparent lack of fitness. It took a long while before my legs adapted. You have to start running very gradually, give yourself some rest, and only go up 10% a week. After a month or so, you'll feel better. But it ain't gonna happen over night. It takes a goodly time for the legs to adapt and sometimes you'll still have the plods if you don't take rest days. Once the legs come around, you can ramp it some more, if you want to. I ramped it up a lot for a long time, thought I was in decent shape, and got injured. Then, after all those years of running, I got back in the pool and felt like I could barely swim a 100. So then I felt out of shape in different way... Sometimes, one wonders if one is ever in shape... Just take it slowly and wear good running shoes. Don't always run on the road either. Trails and dirt are good for avoiding shin splints. Sounds like you may need to drink some water in advance of your run so you don't get side stitches. Poolraat may be able to tell you more since he was an age group runner, and I was an adult onset runner. I considered quitting like Geek, but I'm living with a couple of runners who would have given me endless grief. So, now, I just run outside several times a week for fun and "nature."