Trail vs Pavement vs Dreadmill

[limewave]

Interesting thread.

My personal preference is trail running. I enjoy the scenery and varying terrain, I like the challenge. I naturally have a shorter, quicker stride when trail running. I'll also end up walking more. The trails by us go straight up and and down a series of sand dunes. I like to wear a shoe with a stiffer sole, good ankle support, and less ventilation (help keep sand out of the shoes). I know VFF's are popular, but I have screws in both my feet so I am hesitant about the barefoot running.

I'm a lot faster running on the road. But I am constantly correcting my running form. I want to have a longer stride. I like to do my interval and speed work on the road. I will run on the road in any type of weather except for a thunderstorm.

The dreadmill is appropriately named. Running on it feels unnatural to me. But I do enjoy doing a good, hard, uphill walk on the treadmill while catching up on my favorite TV shows.

[Jolt]

I am much more of a trail runner though I do some road running too. I avoid the dreadmill like the plague; any indoor running is done on an indoor track which also isn't the best but will do for the occasional run. My form tends to be better when I have to dodge rocks and roots (as long as it isn't so rocky that I keep kicking things...) as opposed to smooth flat surfaces. Plus the scenery is just better on the trails and it's quieter.

ETA: I wear VFFs too (and sometimes go barefoot).

[rocknrollgirl]

I am 99% trail. I did run the roads this winter when we were under 2 feet of snow, but I do not do it unless forced. I NEVER run on the treadmill. I will get up at 4:30 am, I will wear spikes and run in the snow, the rain, the mist, the hail....well you get it. No treadmill for me.

This is what I said to Amanda....

Aside from proper footwear, keep in mind that trail miles and road miles are not the same. You will use a lot more of your lateral stabilizing muscles because of the uneven terrain. It is very easy to get injured if you jump in with both feet. Pun intended.

I would suggest that you start with short runs, regardless of your current road mileage to give your muscles, tendons and ligaments a chance to adjust to the demands of trail running.

Also remember that you will be slower, so fuel and water will become an issue sooner than on the road.

[SadieKate]

Also remember that you will be slower, so fuel and water will become an issue sooner than on the road.[/I]

Why? What is the difference between 30 mins on the pavement as opposed to 30 mins on the trail? Do you mean you need food and water at different distances?

[rocknrollgirl]

Yes. I meant that 4 miles on the trail may take significantly longer than on the road. So you could unknowingly be out for a much longer time.

Case in point, I did a 10 last year as part of an off road tri. I can run a 10k on the road in 50 or 52 mins. It took 90 mins. 90 mins to run a 10k. The course was so difficult and so technical.

So I was out a lot longer than I anticipated, even for a trail run. My fueling needs were different.

But hey, I survived the 300 foot long, thigh deep swamp!

[Tri Girl]

I prefer trail running because it's not so monotonous. I like the constant changing terrain. I also find it's less stressful on the joints.
And I know it goes against what the whole rest of the world does- but I'm slower on the road. I seem to drag my feet and run more slap-footed. Part of it is I tire out much more quickly on the road than on the trail because the pavement beats my body up so much more.

I've always hated the treadmill, but this year was so cold that I was forced to run inside most of the time (with asthma- the cold is terrible for me- much worse this year than previous years). Now that it's warmer, the pollen has been so atrocious that my allergies are insane- and that means more running indoors so I can breathe.

Pretty much all of my marathon training (it's in 2 weeks) has been on the treadmill. I worry that my time at the race is going to be MUCH slower than normal because I haven't been running outside (with no motor to pace me- I won't push as hard).
Oh well- time doesn't matter much anyway.

[Urlea]

I prefer trail or lightly packed gravel first & if I'm stuck running in town I will do 50% on asphalt 50% on the grass next to it. Sometimes my legs respond well to the pavement & enjoy it, but for the most part trail/grass is easiest to recover from. I also do at least 30% in VFFs.

While I may have my preferences I'm glad I get the chance to train on it all because I think that helps with overall fitness. Makes me fast and comfortable on hills & flats.