Posts: 264
11/24/12 4:11 P

I have had the same problem with pain on running on concrete. I have found some low traffic neighborhoods that I run in the road. Also when I am doing a longer run, I will go to the high school and run on the track as well. Hope this helps.

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11/16/12 3:24 P

Concrete is terrible for anything.
When I go out I am usually on asphalt. We went to a local park a couple times and they have trail there which was nice. At home, we have colored concrete floors (bottom floor on an apartment), on top of being incredibly ugly, it hurts to walk on. My feet hurt all the time unless I am wearing shoes in the house (which I hate doing). I also have started to walk on the outsides of my feet to keep pressure off of my heels. Since I have noticed it, I try to keep a correct gait but I know that its getting worse.
We have been there for just over a year and I cannot wait until we move somewhere else.

As bad as my feet hurt from just walking on concrete at home, if I had no other choice but to jog on concrete, as much as I am in love with jogging, I would quit before trying it on concrete.

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Posts: 438
10/31/12 8:18 P

I've just started running and I usually run at the gym on the treadmill. I've never noticed any problem with that.

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10/28/12 9:07 P

I don't run- I walk and I haven't paid much attention to how it effects my body. But I think I nice worn path would be better than the hard concrete. At Notre Dame there is a small lake that is a little over a mile to walk around. about a third of it is paved and the rest is man made path that is great to walk on- except for two places where there a root. One of them is spray painted orange so you notice it. it is good except when the walnuts are falling down. :)

I do know I don't like walking on the sidewalk- unless it is a very smooth area.
I was walking at a real good pace once and tripped on an uneven sidewalk. I ended up with a bruised lip and knee plus a hand that was bruised for weeks- which made some tasks hard to do.

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10/25/12 4:15 P

Took a walk to the store this morning, 3 mile round trip, staying on the sidewalk most of the way as its a busy main street...hated it. My knees were burning and stiff after just that little walk because of having to use the sidewalk.

I went or a stroll in the park on the trails and once my knees loosened up from my earlier experience I had no problems.

Posts: 426
10/17/12 11:45 A

Thanks, everyone, for the input! I've been trying to run on the roads when its safe, but hop up on the sidewalk when I need to. I've been feeling fine, so...so far so good. :)

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Posts: 103
10/15/12 3:43 P

Today I had a mix of concrete sidewalk and asphalt trail. The concrete makes my shins and calves ache. When I got to the asphalt, I felt fine. I've noticed this on several runs.

Kathy

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10/14/12 9:37 A

Just about every runnermive talked to agrees that they would rather run on the street than the concrete sidewalks. (makes me a little more tolerant of the people in the street when we have a wonderful sidewalk system where I live..a *little* lol).

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10/5/12 10:09 A

Interesting. I thought it was the opposite, that concrete sidewalks are much better for you than the street. I will be interested to see what others have to say on this topic.

I've heard that trails are much better for you, but we don't really have much to choose from in my city.

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9/20/12 4:30 P

Something I found that's been helpful no matter what surface you're running, is to run opposite directions at times. For example, in my neighborhood I sometimes run on the sidewalks, but some are so uneven I choose the paved road in that area. I alternate beginning my course clockwise and counterclock wise. I heard that is a good thing to do even if you're running around a track.
Happy Running!!!!

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Posts: 426
9/20/12 1:11 P

Hi team...

I have been running since mid February when I started the C25K program. Currently I've been using Jeff Galloway's run/walk method and it really works for me. My question is about running surfaces. I know that concrete is like the worst surface to run on, and that the road (asphalt) is a little better, but I was curious how many people are running on concrete and doing ok physically. I am almost 50 and really don't want to cause harm to my knees and joints, but the paths in our area are mostly concrete. I try to run on the road when its safe, but most of the time I'm on concrete. Sometimes there are areas in the grass beside the path where I can run, but it's so uneven I'm afraid I may twist an ankle. I am really loving my new running life and would be devastated if I had to stop because of an injury!

I would love to hear what most of you run on and any suggestions you have.

Thanks SP'ers!

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