General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road Rss Feed  
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2008-10-14 8:53 PM

Expert
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Subject: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
Hi,

Just woundering what sort of surface most people do their runs on during the week? Also the reasons behind their choice of surface?

Thanks.


2008-10-14 9:09 PM
in reply to: #1743114

Expert
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Southeast
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road

I generally run on the road (asphalt), because that's what's most convenient, and it is what I will be racing on.

Trails: Wish I could, but with several ankle sprains in my distant past and a few and knee surgeries in my recent past, the risk of injury on some tree root or rock is just too scary.

Grass:  Yes, when I can (normally for one of my slow to moderate runs per week).  I will also sometimes do a short run in just socks on asphalt.  Crazy, perhaps, but I like it and have done it for a long time (years, not months) and it doesn't seem to hurt me so long as I do it in moderation.

Track:  all speed work (which used to be once/week but recently is none since I'm recovering from near-injury) and some other runs (maybe 1 other time per week).  The track that I run on is annoyingly short (1/7 mile), but has the advantage of being a very good surface for running and indoors, so it has its attractions (especially in awful weather) despite the tediousness and sharp turns.

2008-10-14 9:10 PM
in reply to: #1743114

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Extreme Veteran
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Sault Ste. Marie
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road

Well....usually mix it up all the time!!!

I am never really planned, but my favourite runs are beaches and really hillysome trails.....nothing beats the awesome amounts of oxygen and fresh air at those locations!

I experience knee pain every once in a while, mainly becuase of ashphalt.....so i try to stick to softer surfaces, but i feel faster on sidewalks n' roads.



Edited by Jyles16 2008-10-14 9:10 PM
2008-10-14 10:47 PM
in reply to: #1743114

Expert
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Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
Does running on gravel sort of trails have benefits for knees and ankles?
2008-10-15 6:00 AM
in reply to: #1743270

Expert
810
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Southeast
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road

supa-powa - 2008-10-14 11:47 PM Does running on gravel sort of trails have benefits for knees and ankles?

You mean by spraining them? 

2008-10-15 6:30 AM
in reply to: #1743114

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2008-10-15 6:41 AM
in reply to: #1743114

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Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
I love running trails and do so on the weekend when I can. During the week I'm up too early...its dark...to run anywhere but on lit roads. Even that can be dangerous. Headlights were in my eyes and I hit a pothole the other day and hit the ground. I've never felt so awkward, athletically, in my life.

Trails and grass are softer and easier on joints plus its just a change.

2008-10-15 8:02 AM
in reply to: #1743114

Master
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Olney, MD
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road

I do most of my runs on sidewalks. 

2008-10-15 8:24 AM
in reply to: #1743114

Runner
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road

Almost all of my runs are on sidewalk/road.  About the only time I spend on trails is for races, and occasionally I can do a quick loop on a longer run.

The reasoning is availability.  I am not driving somewhere just for a training run.

2008-10-15 8:32 AM
in reply to: #1743114

Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
I run on paved trails (asphalt). I really try to avoid sidewalks and concrete. Dirt trails are great, though there aren't many around here and they're a bit of a drive. But I run them when I can. I actually feel faster on dirt.
2008-10-15 8:49 AM
in reply to: #1743624

Champion
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South Jersey
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
Asphalt trail (I have non-pitched asphalt trail I run on often), asphalt road, sidewalk, track.


2008-10-15 8:54 AM
in reply to: #1743114

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Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
sidewalk and roads because they are available and it is too dark in the morning to go off road.
2008-10-15 3:41 PM
in reply to: #1743114

Expert
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
My running is done on a mixture of sidewalks, asphalt roads, and dirt/crushed limestrone maintained urban trails. I've been doing more running on the trail lately because it's more peaceful, but to get there I have to first run on the sidewalk and roads. The trail is about 2.5 miles away, so if I do a 10 mile run half ends up being on the trail and half on sidewalks/roads. In the winter I do more on the roads because the trail becomes very icy.
2008-10-15 4:11 PM
in reply to: #1743114

Extreme Veteran
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Canton, MI
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road

I usually run on a nice trail beside where I live with a mix of asphalt and concrete.  3 times a week, 25-30k per week.  However, I tend to  run on the grass right beside the trail.  Especially the smooth newly paved grass without any holes.  I found that its better for my knees.

Between asphalt and concrete, I was told asphalt is better because its a little bit softer, I personally can't see a difference.

rubber covered indoor track is nice, but I enjoy outdoor atmosphere.

 

2008-10-15 4:25 PM
in reply to: #1743114

Master
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Western MA near the VT & NH border on the CT river
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road

Im lucky in that I dont have to run on sidewalks or on roads with a lot of cars.  I live on a 2.5 mile dirt road so I mostly run laps on that.  The road has a nice big hill too.  I also have a hay field in front of my house and have a 3/4 mile loop so I use that for a couple weeks until the grass is too high.  There is also a high school gravel track a few miles away that I have also used to establish my 'standard' time and did my first couple of bricks.

My goal for next year is to work out a trail (1/2 mile loop) in the woods behind my house so I can run w/ my dogs w/out them having to be on the leash. 

So to answer your post, I prefer trails/dirt roads first, easier on the knees but still hard enough so racing on the road isnt that big of a change.  Grass is second (the dew in the morning makes my shoes too wet) and sidewalks/roads are my last preference. 

2008-10-15 7:37 PM
in reply to: #1743441

Master
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Loveland, Ohio
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
PennState - 2008-10-15 7:30 AM

Here is a reason to run on trails...

http://happyvalleyironman.blogspot.com/2008/10/trail-running.html

That's just beautiful...



2008-10-16 10:40 AM
in reply to: #1743114

Elite
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Alturas, California
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
I typically run on a 6 inch strip of randomly sloping gravelish rocky stuff next to the pavement with lots of prickly plants growing in it. I am hoping that by running the same rout frequently I can discourage the plants from growing there as much and flatten it out some.

There are no sidewalks, no pavement except in the road on the car's side of the wite line, no lighting that is not from the sky, etc. I sometimes run trails, but they are verrrrrry rocky. I typically can only run them on the weekend or during the summer. Need to see those rocks.

I also hit the treadmill when it is dark and below 20 F and I just don't want to bother getting all suited up at 4:30 to 5:00 am and rely on a headlamp.

The principal at the only high school with a track does not let the public use the track for running (even though I work at his school and his wife runs marathons) as he wants to keep it "in good shape." I think he plans on putting it under a glass case next year so the birds don't walk on it and so the rain doesn't fall on his precious sand/dirt track.
2008-10-16 5:35 PM
in reply to: #1743114

Extreme Veteran
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Colo Springs, CO
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road
I do almost all of my running on trails or dirt roads. But I'm lucky because I don't have to drive out of my way for the trails. I work right next to a "park" that is really more of a semi-wilderness area (think: single track trails) with about 5 miles of trails, and I pass another "park" on the way home (with a nice 5k loop.) And I live on a dirt road. I also live on large acreage, so I will often run my property line which is just under 1 mile long. That is on "grass" but it's not a nice lawn-type grass. It's pasture grass which tends to grow in clumps. I keep thinking a trail will develop, but so far there is no trail at all so I have to be careful to watch my footing there.


Edited by lodewey 2008-10-16 5:36 PM
2008-10-16 7:26 PM
in reply to: #1743114

Extreme Veteran
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Gig Harbor
Subject: RE: Running: Grass vs Trail vs Road

I run on trails - I love it because there are big steep hills where I run and little winding ups and downs. It is always fun to jump over roots and rocks, and downed trees.

I run a little bit on the road and when I feel like being wild I run on the High School track - but not often. 90% of my running is on trails and I think it builds better endurance. I'm no expert but when I run a race (on asphalt) its cake compared to the woods.

...wow I can't spell



Edited by The Nat 2008-10-16 7:27 PM
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