Who here makes a conscious effort to avoid running on concrete/paved roads?

Trevelyan Harper wrote:

FFF wrote:

Even/level hard surfaces are best in one way: Predictability.

But better is dirt trails that are level. I've got a few around, and I go out of my way to run on them, when I can run any more. A little bit of concrete is necessary, though, or you end up making your bones softer, which makes your problems worse.

I’ve thought this before. Does anyone know a good ratio for soft to hard surfaces. Something like 80/20?

I’m sure never running on the road makes someone too soft and more injury prone. Especially if they then race on the road.

I'll tell you who doesn't know. Ritz.

Our bodies change the stiffness of the legs based on surface. Interesting enough, if you are running on a hard surface, your legs are less stiff than they are on a soft surface. This means your body is doing a little bit of a different exercise when you change surfaces.

What this can mean is if you run solely on hard surfaces, switching to doing a lot of training on a soft surface may cause injury. The reverse is true as well. I believe this is one of the reasons you see so many college and high school kids get hurt a few weeks into the school year. They are suddenly running new routes and the surface is different than what they ran on in the summer.

another runner wrote:

I believe this is one of the reasons you see so many college and high school kids get hurt a few weeks into the school year. They are suddenly running new routes and the surface is different than what they ran on in the summer.

I’ve thought the exact same thing. I always had terrible shin splints the first few weeks of fall after training on mostly dirt trails at home and going straight to concrete and asphalt at school.

Kennekuk Jack wrote:

Yes. Even better if you can find hilly dirt o gravel roads for training. It's more forgiving than asphalt and the footing is better than you'll find on a trail. Check out gravelmap.com to see if there are any roads in your area.

Wow you are a god! I've been looking for something like this forever.

another runner wrote:

Our bodies change the stiffness of the legs based on surface. Interesting enough, if you are running on a hard surface, your legs are less stiff than they are on a soft surface. This means your body is doing a little bit of a different exercise when you change surfaces.

What this can mean is if you run solely on hard surfaces, switching to doing a lot of training on a soft surface may cause injury. The reverse is true as well. I believe this is one of the reasons you see so many college and high school kids get hurt a few weeks into the school year. They are suddenly running new routes and the surface is different than what they ran on in the summer.

For sure. I train mostly on concrete and prefer concrete, since soft surfaces seem to draw old injuries up to the surface for me. If I go for a long run on a gravel road or a workout on grass, I can guarantee I will wake up the next morning with a blown up achilles. Uneven surfaces really mess with my achilles and the soft surfaces make it even worse. 10/10 times I would choose a concrete route for my long run if it weren't up to my coach.

Me. I've had so many running injuries I'm now studying physiotherapy. You name it, I've had it. The only way I personally can build any kind of mileage is to do so *exclusively* on unpaved surfaces. I slow down to a walk to cross a paved road.

Once you do so for long enough, the instant you run on a sealed surface all you notice is the pounding. I used to run forefoot and transitioned to midfoot, to cut down on Achilles problems. But still, to me paved surfaces are a horrorshow. I have no idea how people run on concrete with a rearfoot stride. My knees grumble at the mere suggestion.

Also, trail running has better scenery. I run beside a local brook, or did until the local council decided to pave this out-of-the-way walking trail. Now I run beside it, and I notice many other runners do too. Yet to see a walker but hey. Pave first and ask questions later

old man shuffle wrote:

Luv2Run wrote:

With a bit of osteoarthritis in one knee I do everything I can to avoid pavement. I do run on sections here and there but 85% probably is dirt. Yes, I am glad I live in a place where that is possible without having to go far out of my way.

I have arthritis in my knee and I've found that, while soft surfaces are nice, level surfaces are a necessity. My knee buckles on uneven surfaces. Even, level pavement beats uneven trails.

I would agree that; soft and level surfaces. I'm a late 50s stiff with severe OA in one ankle, moderate OA in one hip and a bad back. So, it's soft surfaces and level or no running at all without major pain afterwards. If you're middle-aged with moderate to severe OA and try running regularly on hard surfaces, it'll beat the snot out of you!

Older than dirt... wrote:

WAY past my prime former D1 guy here (just like everyone else) - probably the only reason I can still run is the ease at which I can avoid pavement in Colorado. Although I do try to hit it once/twice a week, I can't go more than an hour before everything falls apart.

Holy puss lololololol

If you're going to race on roads, you need to run on roads.

Running softer surfaces reduce injuries period. Staying on “Crete” is a injury. You can always field soccer fields or athletic field and run the perimeter even if it’s part of your run. Severe over pronators should avoid higher grass.

mad dog wrote:

Running softer surfaces reduce injuries period. Staying on “Crete” is a injury. You can always field soccer fields or athletic field and run the perimeter even if it’s part of your run. Severe over pronators should avoid higher grass.

Source?

well I guess a mixture is good. say you want to race a road marathon, then you have to train on the roads sufficiently, otherwise you'll break apart in the marathon.

stater_of_the_obvious wrote:

well I guess a mixture is good. say you want to race a road marathon, then you have to train on the roads sufficiently, otherwise you'll break apart in the marathon.

Unless you're Kenyan

Return of Concrete Runner wrote:

Simple advice, kid: keep it on the 'crete.

The only Truth.

I train on concrete sidewalks/Hills. Makes the races tolerable. Thanks

weakling alert wrote:

Older than dirt... wrote:

WAY past my prime former D1 guy here (just like everyone else) - probably the only reason I can still run is the ease at which I can avoid pavement in Colorado. Although I do try to hit it once/twice a week, I can't go more than an hour before everything falls apart.

Holy puss lololololol

Only teenagers write "lol" That probably explains the stupidity of your post.

I don't like Concrete and asphalt because for concrete I would rather run more rurally, and asphalt usually has a nasty slope to the side.

I don't like deep grass at all. Some fields are too lumpy. Close grass is not much softer than dirt but isn't bad. It's just hard to find the perfect grass.

Artificial turf is popping up here and there in Socal. Well I'd say a lot, but that may just be my hood. Two big multi-sport fields in my area have artificial turf. At least 1/4 mile around. For runs less than an hour it doesn't bother me to go in circles and of course they are perfect for workouts. Anyone one else finding this stuff accessible for running. Do you like it?

Return of Concrete Runner wrote:

Simple advice, kid: keep it on Crete.

I can´t travel to the Mediterranean every time I´m going for a run.

Gravy wrote:

I literally have no other choice but to run on concrete or asphalt. You are very fortunate.

If you had written that you had “no choice but to run on concrete or asphalt” would you worry someone would think you were speaking figuratively? Is that a common figurative expression where you come from? What is the figurative version meant to convey?