Using paving slabs for stride

[YeahIcan]

Does anybody else use the gaps between paving slabs as targets whilst running? I feel that this lengthens my stride a little which feels like it speeds me up. Is this a habit that I should stop, or continue? Are there dangers in this practice?

For reference, I’ve completed C25K a few weeks ago and now completing consolidation runs over the summer as regular as possible

[backintime Graduate10]

not me, no pavements to speak of where I live, just old village lanes

I did used to avoid the cracks when I grew up in London though

[YeahIcan in reply to backintime]

Thank you for your reply. Village lanes do sound good, they would be my preference. However, for ease I run round where I live. In my younger days as a school child I would avoid cracks in pavements too.

[Stephen_UK Graduate10]

If the gaps naturally match your stride I can’t see any problem. But in general I try to avoid the pavements as they are a very high-impact surface compared to park paths/tracks.

[YeahIcan in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thank you for replying. The gaps don’t quite match up with my natural stride, they are a slight over exaggeration, which is why my question came about. I don’t really have any tracks/off road running areas here without a drive. I think the fact I can go straight out my door and run without a driving barrier is what keeps it simple for me, and keeps me wanting to run.

Another question... I assume that most races are within towns (I’m north Lincs) so how do you prepare for the difference in impact from running between your paths/tracks and the road of the race?

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

In my opinion, the best way to speed up is to increase stride length whilst maintaining cadence - so if the slab spacing does that for you, sounds good to me 👍

[YeahIcan in reply to UpTheStanley]

It really does seem to speed me up for that section of the run, so I’ll keep at it unless I notice twinges. Thank you for replying.

[Runadink Graduate10]

During park run i was counting strides as i was plodding along the prom. Just to keep my mind occupied and also to keep my pace consistent. 5 strides per concret block/slab.

[YeahIcan in reply to Runadink]

It’s weird things that keep us going isn’t it! Some times I count to 100 and start again counting just to give myself a reason to keep plodding on. Just need to make sure you don’t leap each last stride or do a small leap in the air to try either not add another stride or squeeze another in as you go! I found yesterday I was doing that when I approached path ends.

[Runadink Graduate10 in reply to YeahIcan]

Feel its more like keep moving leaden legs that leaping like a Gazel.