Which Is Better, Running On Grass vs Concrete?

Running is one of the easiest ways to improve your fitness levels and get into shape. Although there are many running terrains, some offer more stability and benefits than others. If you have constant sore ankles and knees after a run, it could indicate that your running terrain needs to be changed. So what is better? Is it the concrete sidewalk or the grassy patch right next to it?

A grass terrain is an ideal running surface; the soft, carpet-like surface helps build your running muscles as you adapt to the terrain. Concrete is a much harder surface, and running on this terrain can cause shock to your lower body joints with poor running form.

Running requires excellent balance, great muscle strength, and significant joint range movement; hence you will need to find a suitable surface to support this motion. Join me as I share the benefits and tips of running on grass and concrete, which will help guide you in making a more informed decision.

Benefits Of Running On Grass

One of the most common terrains chosen by runners for training is grass.

It is important to note that when your foot strikes the ground, the terrain cushions the impact of that force. Running on soft surfaces like grass can reduce the impact. In contrast, hard surfaces like concrete can channel the shock of the impact to the rest of your legs, leading to muscle tears, swelling, tendonitis, and other sports-related injuries.

If you have any running injuries or knee pain, grassy terrain is the best option. Unlike running on different terrains, the grass softness and low impact make it the most suitable running terrain. Running on grass puts less pressure on the feet, which eases the tendons and ligaments and decreases the chances of injuries.

Easy To Find

The grass is prevalent and easy to find in parks, soccer fields, sidewalks, which means you do not have to go too far to find a grass patch that you can run on.

Improves Running Form

Your running performance is improved on the soft grass as it helps you develop good form and makes your ligaments and tendons more elastic to enable you to run faster.

A runner's balance is also significantly improved when running on grass, especially on uneven surfaces. It will allow the slightly smaller muscles in your feet, hips, and leg ankles to work much better than running on a flat surface. The soft surface that this terrain offers stabilizes the muscles on your legs and ankles and allows you to become a stronger runner.

Great For The Mind

There is something quite calming about running on grass; perhaps it is the softness that this terrain offers or the cooling effect that it has on your feet. It takes away the pressure you feel when running on the track. You can even ditch those running shoes and just run barefoot and feel the pleasant texture of the grass.

Why Should You Be Careful When Running On Grass?

Grass surfaces can often be slippery, especially after rain which can lead to injuries. The wet grass can cause you to lose balance, which may even lead to the twisting of an ankle. As you navigate over the soft terrain, you won't have the same stability as a hard surface. This can lead to muscle and joint strain.

It is advisable to also be on the lookout for hidden obstacles like holes, twigs, dogs' mess, and rocks.

Tips for Running On Grass

Below are some of the tips when running on grass that might help save you from toppling over;

• If you have not run on grass before, take 2-3 weeks to transit slowly before performing faster workouts. Start with easy runs for 15-20 minutes per day. Your muscles will be sore!
• Keep a lookout for uneven surfaces on grass as these can cause minor soft tissue injuries or cause you to trip. (Fortunately, grass also provides a soft landing zone in case you do fall)
• Chose the right shoes to run on grass; you need lightweight running shoes that can provide traction.
• Never run on the grass in the rain. This is a recipe for slipping and injuring yourself.

Benefits Of Running On Concrete

Hard surfaces aren't as terrible to run on as what some people suggest. There are some advantages to concrete over grass

• Concrete is readily available on sidewalks and pavements, which means you do not have to venture too far to find a concrete spot to run on. This is especially true if you live in a city.
• If you are running with your eyes open, you can clearly see any obstacles in your way. You don't have to worry about missing a large rock.
• It's more efficient to run on concrete. That means you will run faster for putting in the same amount of energy as you would on grass. Which means you can either run further or longer.

Will Concrete Injure You?

Concrete is the least forgiving of surfaces and can cause significant shock to your lower body joints. If you don't have the proper running form, concrete is unforgiving and the that energy transmitted into your legs from your foot hitting the surface can cause injury.

But all is not lost. There is evidence that we automatically adjust the stiffness of our body based upon the surface we are running on. This allows us to adapt our running styles to different terrains.

By easing into running on concrete and developing a good efficient running form, the body is capable of adjusting to the surface and a runner can avoid injury. How else would marathon runners be able to run for over 4 hours on a hard surface (2 hours if you are Eliud Kipchoge) without becoming injured?

If you do trip and fall down, however, you will feel the concrete. That will definitely injure you.

Summary

Running on grass vs. running on concrete, the choice is ultimately yours. But both have their benefits. Mix it up a bit. This will ensure that you are working your legs in different ways to really strengthen your running form and make you a stronger runner.

Happy Running!