Running surfaces

I usually try to run on the road as opposed to the pavement, as you'd expect from anyone that doesn't want to end up with crippling injuries at 40 ;)

However, recently I had to run on the pavement for the entire 5-mile "my house to uni" route, due to the traffic being so heavy. What really surprised me is that it felt a lot more comfortable than running on the road - my feet hurt less. This is of course the opposite of what I expected!

Now, previously I'd suspected the roads' camber was causing foot pain, but hadn't given it much though. However upon stopping to compare it to the (level) pavement I discovered it was quite severe!

So, in my case it looks like I've found an even WORSE surface to run on than concrete, and I'll have to stick to the pavements unless I get up at 3am when the roads are empty...

Running on the road to avoid crippling injuries sounds counter-intuitive to me. The cars around here don't recognise that runners have right of way, and they're all bigger, harder and faster than I am...

I'm a pavement-runner and don't notice much difference between tarmac and concrete underfoot. I do find grass hard going, and the treadmill unpleasantly soggy.

Round here the pavements slope anyway - which sort of makes sense - they tilt the opposite way to the roads, presumably to make all the water run towards the gutters and associated drainage bits.

I did a bit of a double take at the soggy treadmill Vrap - for a moment I thought that you had a very funny treadmill, with mud on the moving band, and then I worked it out - I find it rather "spongy" I suppose is the word I'd use.