In the past, I’ve had issues with runner’s knee. I’m doing a LOT better with it…but, I’m now doing 100% of my running on non-paved surfaces. I have IM LOU coming up in Oct. Is it advisable to start doing some of my running on paved surfaces (in prep for race conditions)?
In the past, I’ve had issues with runner’s knee. I’m doing a LOT better with it…but, I’m now doing 100% of my running on non-paved surfaces. I have IM LOU coming up in Oct. Is it advisable to start doing some of my running on paved surfaces (in prep for race conditions)?
what about doing some of your running on a track if you’re concerned about the harshness of paved surfaces? for my long runs, I’ll run to the track, run 2 miles there, run 2-3 miles away from the track, come back to track to run more, and keep repeating until I’m done. 2-3 miles on a track at a time is about all my mind can handle.
No longer running but I did run for 11 years. I usually trained on non-paved surfaces. I really only ever tried to run on paved-surfaces when I had to. I don’t think you’ll find it to be a difficult transition if you waited until race-day. I’d say stay on non-paved surfaces as long as you can assuming it’s a good surface where you don’t risk rolling your ankle or anything.
Not an expert, just my 2 cents.
Not an expert but there have been periods in my life when I went non-paved as much as possible. Even then I tried to do at least some paved running (usually once or twice a week) in the program.
I also train 100% off road. It has not hurt my road times at all-in fact, it’s better since the injury rate is down. If you are a FOP yes you will need to do some road running. If not, you will be fine. Good luck
i believe in specific training. it may be in your best interest to do as much on pavement as your body can safely handle without injury - considering the race is less than 8wks away
In the past, I’ve had issues with runner’s knee. I’m doing a LOT better with it…but, I’m now doing 100% of my running on non-paved surfaces. I have IM LOU coming up in Oct. Is it advisable to start doing some of my running on paved surfaces (in prep for race conditions)?
I’ve avoided running on pavement for a long time in training. My marathon times in IM events, and the discomfort in my legs during the last half of IM marathons, did seem to correlate to the amount of racing on pavement I had done in the months prior to my IM events. If you’ve been racing regularly this summer where you are running at least a 10K on pavement in those races, I think that might be enough. If not, I’d suggest you slowly add some running on paved surfaces. Good luck!
i believe in specific training. it may be in your best interest to do as much on pavement as your body can safely handle without injury - considering the race is less than 8wks away
there is literally no reason to do this.
If you’re a heavier dude I would.
If you’re a heavier dude I would.
Do I know you? 
I’m 6’ and about 192#
The specificity argument makes some sense to me, but I really prefer running on trails. Of course I’m a shit runner, so take it for what it’s worth. I’m also not a huge fan of running historically so anything that gets me out more is a good thing and I’ve found I really enjoy getting out into the woods and exploring.
What non-paved surfaces are you running on? I fractured my back in several places earlier this year and some of my early runs for sure were on a track and off pavement/concrete. I found some of the off road runs… not on the track came with their own benefits and challenges. Trail running and running on grass around the sports fields complex did a number on my hips. I think those environments use a TON of stabilizer muscles which is a benefit to your running in general. I’m not racing over 10K distances but I’m actually having a pretty decent year running wise given my injuries early in the year and only do maybe a quarter of my run on pavement/concrete.
I found a .46 mile that’s sort of a grey brick dust (somewhat compacted). It’s a local park. It has a knee wall close to the tennis courts and I place my nutrition on the wall for long runs. I take what I would in a race every time I click off a mile (when I get back to the wall). My legs feel a lot better than they used to. I’ve been doing 100% of my runs on this surface for about a month, now. It’s extremely convenient for ride/run bricks.
Zero reason to do any training on pavement or hard surfaces. You’ll beat your body and legs up less day to day and the strength gains in the stabilizer muscles another poster mentioned are very real and valuable.
In the past, I’ve had issues with runner’s knee. I’m doing a LOT better with it…but, I’m now doing 100% of my running on non-paved surfaces. I have IM LOU coming up in Oct. Is it advisable to start doing some of my running on paved surfaces (in prep for race conditions)?
Former 3x World Cross Country champ Lynn Jennings attributed her longevity in the sport to doing most of her training on grass, trails, etc. I’d stay on soft surfaces until IMLou,