Best surface to run on: asphalt vs grass vs sand

froeschli

... I also run in the middle of the road when there's a quiet stretch with good visibility, so as to keep the surface more level and avoid any issues associated with road crowning.

A friend of mine got run over walking home in the middle of the street. Given, he was drunk and it was 2am on a back road, but still, I so couldn't do that.

JulieAnn72

Thanks for the advice on running in sand! I will probably try a very short jog barefoot but will bring my shoes in case I want to do more. I'd like to think I'll be good and go for a run while on vacation, but most likely I'll just spend my time jumping in the waves. :-)

Last2bfirst

I have not been a runner since I discovered Off Road Bikeing, go out of the USMC, and started Kayaking, but when I did I did alot of it. I remeber a couple things about running in sand, yes less direct impact on your joints but less lateral support on your knees and hips. Not sure if one is worth trading for the other. I also lived by the rule, show me someone with a favorite pair of running shoes and I will show you someone with bad knees Dr. Sheehan (SP). I use to throw my running shoes away after 500 Miles at one point that was like every 10-12 weeks.

I aggree good shoes, by and use them for what they are ment for.

jdm_taco

asphalt for me and I live less than 5 miles from beach

GetSoda

I like running in the bike lane. I just hate when cyclists buzz me.

Escape_Artist

I, too, believe that it all comes down to your running form and shoes.
Then I don't think it matters on which surface you run on

ATT949

Is this true: Running on grass is better for your joints then running on asphalt. Running on soft sand (that you sink 5-10 cm in each step) is better then running on grass.

Or: the softer the ground, the less you wear your body by running (but also the more effort it takes to run on it).

Just want to check my assumptions here. I don't mind putting more effort in running, but I do mind if I damage my body. I try to avoid running on asphalt/concrete as much as possible. Let me know what you think and what surface you prefer! Thanks!

No controlled test has been able to determine a difference in running surfaces, insofar as injury rates are concerned.

The runnersworld.com link dates back to 2002 but I believe that even at that time there were no studies that could show that one surface resulted in fewer injuries than any other surface.

The theory behind this is that the body will adjust the running gait to compensate for different surfaces and a few months/weeks ago I read of a study that demonstrated that your body will actually change gait as your foot is about to hit the ground to compensate for different surfaces.

getting_fit86

I personally prefer running on asphalt. It is just easier for me to go faster. Running on the grass drives me nuts.

__Di__

I like running in the bike lane. I just hate when cyclists buzz me.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I know I shouldn't really laugh at your posting, but I just can't help it, that is just naughty :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: