what is harder on your legs, running on uneven grass or sidewalk?
the majority of my running is on sidewalks which also tend to have a greenbelt next to them. we have no trails. all weather track is an option but I get tired of running in circles.
I tend to think that the level sidewalk is better on your joints.
For me, personally, I can only say that while the first few runs every year on uneven grass make my little balancing muscles a bit sore, my joints feel oodles and oodles better than after running on concrete.
I have read that running on uneven surfaces, like grass or cross country, actually make you body better for things like balance,
ankle twists, etc. Concrete, again from what I have read, is by far the worst surface to run on.
Dave
Well between sidewalk and grass… sidewalk is definitively harder on your legs since sidewalk does not offer cushioning while grass does.
With respect to uneven grass it really depends how uneven it is but I would go progressively and I would switch between back and forth between both…
Fred.
We are not too far removed from our ancestors that ran barefoot and never set foot on concrete.
I’d prefer to run on grass. It’s softer, less change of bone injury for me.
So to answer your question, sidewalk is harder on your legs
I tend to think that the level sidewalk is better on your joints.
I would say the opposite; sidewalk material is harder than street asphalt, for example, and IIRC pretty much the least resilient of any running surface you can find.
Running on grass certainly seems harder, especially at first, because there is more “give” and I suppose then a less efficient transfer of your energy—but is vastly better on your body. Just as with trails, pay caution to the undulations lest you twist something but after that…smooth sailing.
I’ll take grass over concrete any day.
here’s the thing though. two things- I’m wondering if it stresses your feet, joints, weird little small muscles etc. if you impact the irregular ground (grass) with everything not in alignment. I understand the part about the grass being softer and the shock wave from your foot impacting the ground dissipates better in the soft material. But is that offset by impacting the ground with your foot somewhat off balance.
second thing - I have a hair trigger achilles tendon that is ready to go code red at any time. I’m wondering if running on a flat, but harder surface is better for that. It seems that when you run on irregular surfaces it stresses your achilles more.
Sure, it does stress/strengthen those muscles in the foot…until they’re used to that sort of irregular surface they will likely bark at you. As for the achilles…now, I suppose that could be an issue more prone to become problematic on grass than on concrete, but I will admit having been lucky enough to avoid problems with my own achilles and hence am nowhere near qualified to offer advice in that regard…
I suppose a theory would be that strengthening everything surrounding the achilles, if that is indeed possible, should prevent further issues, so perhaps short and then ever-increasing bouts of grass running could contribute to longer term success…just a thought, though…
funy the grass bothered me when I had a stress farcture, seems ok now. i do prefer a nice ashphalt especially in the florida heat
I also run where sidewalks have either grass or sand. Whenever possible I am off the sidewalk. Besides all the different muscles you use, I think it engages different pathways in the brain. You are constantly looking at the next few places to put your foot. Then when I run a race on road it feels like I am just flying without looking at what is beneath me.
I avoid (concrete) sidewalks at all cost. I’ve battled PF for 10+ years and every time I run on a sidewalk I’ll feel it the next day.
I spent most of my running career on dirt trails and grass in Colorado, and it did two things. It gave me great balance, and great flexibility in my ankles. I can hit a rock or something else in the road, let my ankle “roll” off it, and keep on trucking. Plus, all the little balance muscle and ancillary muscles get strengthened when you run on uneven surfaces.
You ever want a kick your ass workout, run on sand, barefoot.
Preferred - Grass/Dirt trail
Next - Asphalt
Last - Concrete
John
it’s the AT that makes this complicated.
there’s a lot of benefit to uneven surfaces, as long as you ease into it. running on trails really beats me up a lot less. sidewalks more. trails also help me deal w/less even grass alongside sidewalks, where i tend to run when i can.
i’d say, run on the track as much as your mind can take it, the rest on sidewalks, until you get that kenyan AT transplant you were wishing for. -charles
Run barefoot on the grass. You will get rid of your achilles problem in no time. It is very hard to sprain your ankle when you run barefoot on the grass. Your foot will roll naturally and correct itself. I have stepped in many holes while running barefoot and thought I would sprain my ankle but I just kept going. No pain. Your muscles, ligaments and tendons will become much stronger. Run one mile once a week on grass and see if it does anything for you.
You can’t run on the asphalt (in the street) - against traffic?
Big diff even between concrete and asphalt.
Concrete is the very worst of any surfaces to run on.
I’m going to second Devlin’s comments. I never run on the road unless there is no other option and frankly, there is almost always some other option. Where I live I can run on sand or grass just about anywhere. It really gives your trunk a workout and strengthens all the little parts of your feet and legs. I run about 90 percent of my miles in flats or old cross spikes and I love the low-to-the-ground heal and feeling of solid foot that comes with minimal shoes. When I have to run in cities, I run on the divider grass between the sidewalk and curb as much as possible.
Chad