Running on Grass

I have been running since the start of the year and have completed a couple of 10k races and am now training for the Great North. I have started doing the majority of my running on grass and can really recommend it. It is much easier on the joints (important for me since I am 6 foot and 13.5 stone!) and really builds leg strength compared to concrete. Don't be disheartened the first few times when you run on grass and can't match the times you run on the road it is more difficult, but wait until you do have a run on concrete after doing some training on grass, it seems so much easier and you'll be bounding along like Steve Cram (well maybe not but I'm sure you'll notice an improvement). Give grass a try it has really improved my training.

Geester

I never run on grass but am going to start because i have started having trouble with my shins and I am hoping that running on grass might not be so harsh on them. First try will be over the weekend. I do realise that I might not be able to run as far as I can on the pavement, but look forward to being able to bound on the pavement with ease !

Skipp

Good luck mate, if you are a hay fever sufferer though I would definitely take a tablet and wait until the evening when the temperature drops. I really noticed a difference when I qwent back to concrete it was like running on a springboard!

Brilliant for strengthening your ankles, too!

Thanks Geester. Luckily I don't suffer from Hayfever at all, really looking forward to giving it a try though over the weekend. I'm going to cycle to Richmond park and then go for a run there, it will also get me running up hills which is also new to me. All good training for the Nike 10k anyway.

I do a short stretch of my run on grass and although it is more difficult it definitely feels softer on the legs. The rest of my run is on a cycle path but it has a grass verge so maybe I'll just move over a bit!

i try to run on grass but it can be very uneven here in the countryside so i usually run on the tarmac not concrete i have heard bad things about damage to your joints through concrete

I try to run on grass all the time. I live in ealing and there are lots of parks here. Being 6f 3ins and 15 stone I find running on the streets very painful after a while.

I tried running on grass but had a severe case of the munchies after about 1 mile and by the time I had stopped and eaten a mars bar and some pringles I had forgotten what I was doing (besides I was giggling far too much to carry on by then)

;op

Seriously though, the benefits are well documented. I run on the verge/in the park where possible and it does make a big difference.

Andy