Get Off Your Asphalt

October 7, 2009 by Mario

For my latest piece of practical training advice, get off your ass and give this a read. The article explores the benefits of breaking out of your regular running routine and switching up the surface you run on from time to time. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life, and if you’re a runner, it can also keep you injury free and mentally refreshed. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed my running more and kept my aches, pains and injuries to a minimum when I wasn’t running mile after mile on the same roads day in and day out. Taking it to the trails every so often or going for an easy run on the grass is a great way to free your mind and give your body a break. Enjoy the article!

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  1. Good article. I completely agree. I find it that runners need mix of all surfaces. Here in Lowell our staple 10 mile loop includes about 5 miles trails and 5 miles road.

    RS on October 12, 2009

  2. Hey Mario – thanks for the article. I especially appreciated the plug for the treadmill. I know a lot of competitive runners disdain it, including my husband. And while in another life, I would have turned my nose up at the “dreadmill” as well, having trained for (road & trail) run a marathon and several halfs before getting married and having kids.
    Now I am a homeschooling mom who runs faithfully on her treadmill which is in the garage here in Phoenix. I get the cool breezes, and there is no tv to distract the time away. I can watch the kids playing on the driveway or they are inside the house. I am training for the Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon in Phoenix, and honestly, only get a road run in about once a week when my husband’s schedule permits – or when I take the kids on their bikes, but with them along it is never a good run! :) Anyways, just wanted to thank you. I feel encouraged and affirmed in my current situation. Sometimes, you have to do what works for your family situation and doing 90% of my training on a treadmill works for me – and I know if I didn’t do it this way it wouldn’t get done.
    Cheers…. and happy trails to you…. (sorry I couldn’t resist the pun) :)

    Stacey on October 22, 2009