Running on soft surfaces

Yes, I noticed a big difference in stiffness and injuries once switching to soft surfaces. I used to be injured all the time when I ran on concrete. I'm almost never injured now, and when I am, it's usually something minor that requires only a day or two off. Unfortunately I moved to where the only soft surface around is about a 1 mile loop. I've gotten used to it, but going round and round every day sometimes gets a bit monotonous. Better than being injured though!

BTW, if you really want to feel the difference, do a 15-20 mile run on pavement and another on soft surfaces. It's like night and day.

Guppy, thank you for your reply. am not quite ready for that kind of a long run yet. I am not sure if I want to unless I am training for a marathon. But I do feel hardness of the surface when I am jogging back home on paved roads/side walks. It just reinforces my belief in doing the training runs on the soft surface even more. I ran 11 today and if I do my 8.5 tomorrow that will put me over 50 for this week. I have not ran this much in probably close to 10 years. The best part is my body and legs feel fine. Little tired but legs feel very fresh.

Another thing I noticed as I am running back home is that my running form seems to have improved. I am running more upright with little more lift at the ankle area. The little pain I had which might have been IBS on my right leg is completely gone.

Hopefully, I can keep up a decent mileage of at least 35 but close to 55 over the winter and maybe start doing some intervals in the spring.

BTW, I live in NY Metro area so the running scenery is pretty much dismal all around. I actually like my .84 mile loop. It keeps me focused and no stop signs, people, cars, etc. to break the rhythm. I also run with iPod. I just don't have the motivation yet to run w/o it.

For me, that is the only way I can get my miles in. If I ran on the asphalt or concrete all the time, I would probably have more injuries. I realize everyone is diifferent in what works for them but I've always recovered much better on soft surfaces such as, trails, some grass running, track or the treadmill. I do think you have to change it up. Variety is good.

I realize OP that you are limited right now but can you find a HS track to run on as well? As for motivation or lack there of, you might want to update your music or podcast in your iPod. You'd be amazed just changing it out will do wonders. Can you tell I like to mix it up not just in my running surfaces?

Another voice for doing a majority of miles on the soft stuff.

I lucky enough to live in an area where many schools have big grass fields that can be combined with the football fields to create circuits you can vary to lessen the repetitive factor.