Shitara: always does a 25-30 km tempo run three days before a marathon - Citius

Mileage on Roads?? wrote:

Loaded with assumptions. Trails don't save your legs and make you last longer as a runner. Sounds like bro science.

I'd be interested in any science in this regard. Any references? Or is your claim based on your own experience or anecdote?

Trails, softer terrain, even if rutted, are more forgiving for runners legs in that the forces of impact are drastically reduced, compared with tarmac or concrete - the latter being the worst, because concrete has no 'give' for the legs.

Here is some anecdotal evidence...plenty of runners have saved and/or prolonged their careers by training on trails as opposed to the roads.

Concrete is the worst.

Japanese elite runners are 'fortunate' in that most are 1.65-1.70/50-55kg....less stress on the legs...compared with heavier runners.

Taro confirmed that most Japanese elites are retired by age 30.

The science may not back it up, but anecdotal evidence, and personal experience show that a swith to trails is beneficial for most (all?) runners.

The body is not designed for pounding tarmac and concrete. The repetitive forces accumulate over months or years, often resulting in injuries or early onset osteo arthritis. Seen this happen to many runners.

Most guys who were top level county runners in Surrey, UK, in the 70's and 80's cannot run anymore. Some of them have trouble walking.

This is why cross training, after or before age 30 can't hurt.

Julian Goater, 13.15/27.33 former National cross country winner understood this, and is still very fit, or was recently.

Running surfaces wrote:

https://runnersconnect.net/running-surface/

There is no scientific evidence that high mileage works, and still it does...