Am I Cheating?

[Vadron]

I have just done WK5R2 and feel good. BUT I have done the entire thing so far on my local playing field. Is it easier running on grass than pavement? I'm worried that when I eventually go out on the road I might find it much harder. Has anyone else done it this way?

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

Firstly - no not cheating at all!

I had similar worries about changing onto road running as I did my first few weeks on grass when our local golf course was closed. It was probably about the stage you are now that I swapped to road. I’m no expert but funnily enough I now prefer that to grass running and think that grass running is harder! I’m sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be able to answer properly.

Good luck with your running it sounds like you’re doing great 👍🏼

[Equilux Graduate]

No, definitely not cheating, all running is good!

I run mostly on a mix of tarmac lanes, gravel tracks, woodland paths and grass (fields). Personally, I find the grass bit the hardest of all, it seems to soak up my energy, whereas I feel super springy on hard surfaces.

That may just be me being weird though 😂. I’m sure others can give you a more scientific answer. Try them all, you may find that what you hate now becomes the surface you love best later on. Keep running!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It’s not cheating... in fact it may even be harder! There’s a benefit and a cost to each running surface... grass is a little different with the weather... if it’s wet, you have the benefit of softness, so reduced impacts but you take a hit for that in that it will sap more energy from your legs... if it’s been dry a while, you get a hard surface, the impacts go back up, but as it’s not as even as tarmac, each footfall is different meaning the impacts aren’t identical every time, which is especially good for arthritic runners, but also good in the early days while our bones strengthen.

[Vadron Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you. That makes me feel so much better. I did think that running on an uneven surface like grass might be good for using different muscles etc and because my knees sometimes hurt I thought grass would be lower impact. I will carry on as I am, maybe intersperse with road a little at a time.

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Not cheating at all ... I was running on pavement and felt it didn’t suit my knees or my back so I now run on grass too 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

Running is running ... go with whatever suits.. the application is the same....

well done! Seriously... I’ve just done W5 R2 as well and I’m super chuffed! 🙌

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Running on grass is recommended in the guide to the plan as it reduces impact, which is the major contributory factor in most new runner's aches and pains.