Today's Look Ma No Car!

[Alexandra]

Bus to Kirkstall Bridge, ran 6+ miles along the canal to & through Apperley Bridge, bus back. Door to door 3.5 hours. Supposedly my long run, included additionally 2 unplanned sprints for buses and 2 miles of walking. Pluses: 2 goosander, lots of friendly runners, rain held off til I was snug at home. Minuses: tons and tons of dogshit, mile markers showing how very slowly I was running. Useful info: loos at Kirkstall in Morrissons and BHS. If anyone knows of loos at Apperley Bridge or elsewhere near Leeds-Liverpool Canal, please tell.

[Alexandra]

48 minute run round on the grass and mud on Woodhouse Moor. Fartlek. Hard to avoid stepping on the crocuses. Travel: 2 x 3 minute walks.

[Alexandra]

Sad that this thread has had not one response, I was going to let it die a quiet death. However, the controversy regarding the dangers of driving after long events currently raging has suddenly made it topical, so this is a re-launch.

I thought it would be interesting if people noted training they have achieved without using a car. I am not implying that everyone should give up driving, but I'm sure lots of running does take place either directly from home or via public transport. I personally would value input on how people do this - tips, snags and advantages. A recent discussion about leaving food and clothing at the foot of a hill - and finding it gone - would fit in nicely. I am interested in the ratio between travelling and running time - whether the travelling is by car or other means. Travelling to run by public transport is perforce often a bit long, but then time on bus or train is not dead time - eating, sleeping, reading, adjusting ones' clothing can be done, and muddy shoes are welcome.

I don't want to be pious about this. I realise that many live in the sticks and have virtually no public transport. Also the fares younger people have to pay make my hair stand on end. But as a retired bus passholder living within walking distance of rail and bus stations, if I can't run and walk car-free no-one can. Surely there are other runners out there who aspire to leave the car at home, sometimes?

[Stolly]

Alexandra I suspect the thread is a bit hidden away, thats all. That and the fact that most everyone can go for a run from home without using their car, and probably often do .

I'm probably the worst person possible to try and get by without using his car; 40,000 miles a year and counting

[Derby Tup]

Alexandra, I ran from home this evening and often do. I'm very lucky as the Dales Way runs through the village and the top of Beamsley Beacon is 2.5ml / 1000ft from my back door

[dominion]

For about 6 months I did without a car. 5 miles to work, run or cycle. Bus to work, run home door to door via canal, about 7 miles. Now alas it's a 56 mile round trip so not really viable! The trains are rubbish and expensive at £9 return considering that I can car-share and charge my passenger £3 a day.

[Hes]

Only just picked up this thread. I nearly always run straight from home and only use the car/motorbike/bicycle to get to races or running club once a week. I am lucky to live in the sticks and see this as an advantage as opposed to the disadvantage suggested in your post. It makes running on quiet country roads, off-road and on fells accessible without using any other transport. Before I got my driving licence or had my 125cc motorbike, I used to cycle to all races and running club (32 mile round trip). That was pretty gruelling though and my running has improved dramatically now I am not either exhausted during training or too worried about the cycle home to push myself. My car is shared with some friends and I have it for one week in every two. I would encourage anyone to share lifts and transport but I think many of us do and as a self-employed artist with a studio at home, i am very fortunate that my lifestyle does allow me to be greener than most. I like your idea of taking public transport to places in order to run. It makes me want to get on one of our local rural buses and get off somewhere nice in order to run home again.

Sad that this thread has had not one response, I was going to let it die a quiet death. However, the controversy regarding the dangers of driving after long events currently raging has suddenly made it topical, so this is a re-launch.

I thought it would be interesting if people noted training they have achieved without using a car. I am not implying that everyone should give up driving, but I'm sure lots of running does take place either directly from home or via public transport. I personally would value input on how people do this - tips, snags and advantages. A recent discussion about leaving food and clothing at the foot of a hill - and finding it gone - would fit in nicely. I am interested in the ratio between travelling and running time - whether the travelling is by car or other means. Travelling to run by public transport is perforce often a bit long, but then time on bus or train is not dead time - eating, sleeping, reading, adjusting ones' clothing can be done, and muddy shoes are welcome.

I don't want to be pious about this. I realise that many live in the sticks and have virtually no public transport. Also the fares younger people have to pay make my hair stand on end. But as a retired bus passholder living within walking distance of rail and bus stations, if I can't run and walk car-free no-one can. Surely there are other runners out there who aspire to leave the car at home, sometimes?

[EarthSongWoman]

Hi
I do live in the sticks (in North Wales) and do nearly all my running straight out the door. I consider myself very lucky in this though. Its mainly tracks and footpaths, not the main mountains and hills which I do usually need to get in the car for, but I train there less. I too like the idea of busing out to somewhere and running back - I do love the feeling of one way runs like this too - it always amazes me how far I can get on foot.

[TheReverand]

I am also a believer! I dont own a car but have been able to drive for 15 year, I get the train to work, run or bike home, or go training from the front door, why would anyone do anything else?