What are the Best Surfaces to Run on?
As part of many fitness routines, I regularly suggest cardiovascular exercises for my clients. Some people choose to ride bike, use stair climbers or roller blade. There are several options available.
Of all the cardio choices, it's the runners I worry about the most. Running or jogging is a great way to improve your cardio fitness, but it's important that you're educated about the surfaces you're running on.
The best surfaces for jogging on are firm, relatively flat and smooth.
Treadmills are one of the best places to run. The surface is flat, smooth and cushioned. You can vary your workout precisely with computer-assisted controls and even watch TV while doing it. Plus you don't have to deal with bad weather. Unfortunately running on a treadmill can be boring.
Roads may seem like a good place to run, but most of them are "cambered" (slightly arched) so that water runs off the center. If you jog on the edge of a road with the flow of traffic, the slant will cause your right foot to supinate (roll outwards) and your left foot to pronate (roll inwards). Plus the traffic can be dangerous.
Tracks are generally the best place to jog outside, but they have two disadvantages you should plan around. First, because the space is limited, you are forced to turn frequently and might strain your muscles unevenly. Second, some tracks are sloped, which can cause one foot to supinate and the other to pronate. To combat these problems, jog on the outermost track and switch directions to work your muscles evenly.
If you want a good asphalt surface to run on I suggest the track behind the Horace O'Bryant School. Just make sure to give students the right of way. After all, it's their track.
Sidewalks generally aren't cambered, but they are much harder than the asphalt most roads are made of. If you're not careful the hard concrete surfaces of sidewalks may cause stress injuries. Also, many sidewalks are cracked and uneven, with pedestrian traffic in the way.
If you want to run on a sidewalk in Key West, the best alternative is the wide and relatively even sidewalk at Smathers Beach.
Parks and grassy places (like golf courses) may seem like ideal places to run, but unfortunately the unevenness of the surface make injuries common. Grass also hides holes and foreign objects that can be treacherous. If you're going to run in parks, stick to the trails.
On a dirt trail you're more likely to see and avoid obstacles.
Cinder or clay paths can be good places to run if you watch out for two things. First make sure they're not bumpy or full of holes. Second make sure they're not wet. Clay and cinder can get slippery when wet, so move to another surface on rainy days.
Beaches can be one of the worst places to run. The sand is soft and creates uneven footing, which in turn puts undue stress on your leg muscles. You also have to deal with beach sloping, and that causes the same problem as a cambered road, with one foot supinating and the other pronating. If you absolutely must run on the beach, do so at low tide when you can run on the packed sand and a flatter stretch of the beach. Remember to change directions so you can reverse the stress on your legs.
Finally, warm up before you start to make sure your muscles are working most efficiently. Cool down after you finish, to help remove the lactic acid that has accumulated and speed recovery. Don't over train. If you jog every single day youre wearing your body down and not allowing time for muscles to build. Give your body a chance to heal and grow.
BONUS! Click Here to learn how to choose the best running shoes.
