I’ve been doing most of my running on a local golf course. It started as rehab for a sprained ankle, but I’ve stuck with it… more trees, quieter, softer. Does anyone have any ideas about how soon (if ever) before an IM the transition to full pavement needs to be? I’m currently doing speedwork on the road and keeping with longer runs (1 hour or more) on the grass.
Misleading title. I cut down my pot smoking during IM build, for what it’s worth:)
Lucky you. I hope they don’t kick you off. As a cross country coach and survivor of a few marathons, I think its a great idea to do most of your running somewhere soft. I would do longest runs and even lots of speedwork on soft surfaces too. One medium/tempo run a week (say 60-90 min.) on pavement is probably all you need to toughen you up.
I trained for my first IM exclusively with trail runs except track workouts. I’ll do the same for Silverman except for my Interval work.
John Kellog recommends 50+% on soft surfaces. How soon? As soon as you are ready. Just make the transition gradual.
BTW, what do you mean by “speedwork?”
I do all my running on the treadmill, except when I race, in which case that would be pavement.
My legs are usually terribly sore for a couple days (both from racing and pavement) but if I run on soft stuff I don’t seem to get hurt… YRMV.
I do about 75% of my runs on dirt trails right up to my IM’s. Definitely saves the knees, ankles, etc.
Consequences obviously vary, but I did 95% off my IMMoo training on trails. Had no issues running 2 HIM’s (both mixed surface) earlier in the year.
At mile 10 on the actual run, I thought I had developed a major blister but nooo, the front pad on my right foot had turned purple and swollen, basically a big bruise. Did a House MD imitation without the cane the rest of the day.
No doubt in my mind that it was due to lack of conditioning my feet for all pavement running.
Thanks for the replies and reassurance. By speedwork, I meant between 5k and 10k at race pace (usually more on the “5” side).
I do all my running on the treadmill…
I hate the treadmill. I guess for you there isn’t much difference between running on a treadmill or staring at the bottom of a pool for hours at a time…except that you can watch a movie on the treadmill.
Give me a trail in the woods any day.
I hate the treadmill. I guess for you there isn’t much difference between running on a treadmill or staring at the bottom of a pool for hours at a time.
Correct.
I’ve never been able to watch TV and run though - sometimes I put music on.
I can do pool and treadmill for hours - but bike trainer - uggghhhh.
I can play xbox while riding the computrainer in erg mode.
Tried that on my treadmill once almost killed myself- the urge to “jump to the side” when a monster comes at you is TOTALLY UN-OVERCOMABLE. Fell off the treadmill 3 times, never tried again.
Really… just run… just running is nice, no need for distractions.