Active Community: Message List - Training for 1/2 Running on grass

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

D F — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:53:26 GMT

No doubt you need to hit the roads occasionally. Most half marathons and major marathons are run on paved roads. There are some trail runs out there too, although that brings a separate set of challenges with tree roots, rocks, slipping, etc. You need to adjust to harder surface. Golf courses are great places to train on and are good to help prevent injuries, but you need to mix it up or you will be in some pain after the race! Good luck with the half, once you do that you'll be shooting for 26.2!

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

Jay Silvio — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:37:32 GMT

MrsT3Boys wrote:

When exactly does the addiction come in? I ran 5.6 this morning at 6:15 a.m.in 92% humidity. I guess I decided to take up running in the wrong time of the year for Texas.

Not every run will feel great, that's for sure. Eventually, however, you'll come to a point where your day just won't seem complete if you don't get your run in. I guess it took a few months or so for me.

Good luck!

Jay

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

MrsT3Boys — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:28:31 GMT

When exactly does the addiction come in? I ran 5.6 this morning at 6:15 a.m.in 92% humidity. I guess I decided to take up running in the wrong time of the year for Texas.

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

ChiRunning Coach — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:02:42 GMT

Kimberly,

You've got the right idea.

Save the concrete for later.

Get some experience on it but don't spend much time at all on concrete.

I ran 16 miles on it yesterday on the bike path next to the beach in Southern California and my body is compacted and tight today.

Forget the time.

Enjoy the grass.

Your body will be much happier.

I know about that nasty humidity.

Just try to run earlier and earlier in the day.

You can do it. Set the alarm clock 10 minutes earlier each week..

Coach Gary

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

MrsT3Boys — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:31:49 GMT

Currently I am wearing a pair of Asics Gel Nimbus with good success. All of the roads here are concrete with an asphalt shoulder. The grass we are running on in very flat and firm as it is right next to the concrete cart path on the golf course. I guess I will try running some of the time on the concrete cart path before the race. I am increasing my distance gradually, however in Texas the biggest problem I have now is dealing with the heat and humidity, even at 7:00 a.m.

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

ChiRunning Coach — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:03:38 GMT

You have a great attitude towards your first race.

Running should be fun...enjoyable...and rejuvenating.

With that in mind...run on the grass! It's God's surface.

I train lots of trail runners and when they get on road/concrete they do awesome as their legs are in much better shape than running on hard surfaces alone.

I'd certainly recommend a long run or two on the roads...but generally you should be okay on the grass.

And if you really want to take away the aches and pains from running I'd recommend...

a) Learn a running form (ChiRunning, Pose, or Evolution...I'm biased towards ChiRunning of course). Just learning how to run will help take away soooo many aches associated with bad habits like heel striking.

b) Make sure you have a new pair of shoes.

c.) Don't overtrain. Go slow.

d) Practice yoga. Do this three times a week.

All these things will work wonders. I've coached many people to do their first half marathon or marathon using these ideas.

Good luck,

Gary Smith

www.socalrunning.com

www.marathontraining.tv

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

Kimberly_Luke — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:32:02 GMT

Some other great surfaces to train on are packed dirt and asphalt. Many communities have access to rails-to-trails routes, see http://www.railtrails.org/index.html

While these trails may not be the most excting to run on since they are usually fairly straight and flat, they are perfect for your long runs to build endurance. I have also gone out to more rural areas and run on non-paved roads. Usually these are packed enough to be decent to run on, but not as harsh as concrete.

Also keep in mind there is a difference between concrete and asphalt. Asphalt is much more forgiving, and should help you transition to harder surfaces. Next time you are driving around, try to identifiy areas where the streets are blacktop instead of concrete.

As you get closer to the race date, mix in a couple of short runs on concrete. You'll want to build strength before the race so that the concrete surace isn't a shock to your system. But as the other responders mentioned, having good running shoes with cushion should prevent stress injuries. Many of the women in my running group swear by the Brooks Adreniline shoe.

Good luck on your first half marathon!

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

Jay Silvio — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:17:52 GMT

MrsT3Boys wrote:

I will be attempting the Rock&Roll in SanAntonio, however, I will probably need to walk some of it. I am not concerned about time since I have never done a race (or Whatever you call it!) before, I just want to finish!

If you train well and stick to a plan of gradual increases you should be able to achieve your goal. Hopefully, once you finish your first race you'll be hooked and want to run more in the future. Running can be a truly wonderful addiction.

Best of luck to you.

Jay

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

MrsT3Boys — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:53:05 GMT

Re: Training for 1/2 Running on grass

Jay Silvio — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:38:38 GMT

lenzlaw wrote:

Honestly, in terms of effort, it will probably be easier running on the road. Running on grass is softer but I think it takes more effort.

Because the grass absorbs more of the impact, there is less return on your forward push-off. You should be able to run at a faster pace on a harder surface. If you are worried that the harder surface will lead to more muscle trauma, you can work on transitioning to roads by alternating the type of surface you run on until your legs become acclimatized.

Good luck and happy running!

Jay

ps - Which half are you going to run?