Stay in the mud ???

shels4ever

Just wondering what people are doing at the moment , I do all my running on grass unless I really have to . At the moment the park still just about ok to run, need to go through a few pools etc But really finding it a lot harder on the legs because of all the slipping. Am I better off sticking a pair of spikes on for my tempo runs or moving them to the road?

DJS

Good question, For the last month iv been running on the paths in tymon park. I havent touched the grass cause tymon is completly muddy all the time. Although im not a big fan of the mud anyway

shels4ever

most my running is still going to be on grass/mud but was just thinking if i'm better with a faster tempo on roads or a slower tempo on grass(same effort levels and all that).

smmoore79

Moved out to Lansdowne area recently so running 1 mile concrete to get to Sandymount, then on sand.

RoyMcC

I'd say it depends what you are presently training for Shels. If it's cross country then certainly I'd say you stay on the grass and run in spikes.

I do virtually all my running on the road and I don't really see the logic in doing otherwise (injury prevention maybe) if your main aim is road racing.

BeepBeep67

Don't see a major benefit in running in condidtions where it's not your normal running action, could lead to an injury or niggle. Also I would only wear spikes sparingly, with their low heals and general lack of support they'll do you more harm than good. If you do insist on keeping the majority of your running on the grass / mud, invest in a good pair of trail shoes with reasonable support.

bourne99

I run on the road. I think for every mile there might be about 5 metres of grass I have to run over, and I go on red-alert as I cross it - and anything else that's slippy. Man-hole covers, wet leaves etc. Cornering is tricky too! But getting back to the point, in this kind of weather, I can't stand the grass as it seems to change with each day, and I don't know if I'm coming or going - where at least the road stays pretty much the same.

Racing Flat

RoyMcC wrote: »

I'd say it depends what you are presently training for Shels. If it's cross country then certainly I'd say you stay on the grass and run in spikes.

That's what I'd think also. Training for xc I stayed on the muck until the last few weeks when I wanted to work on a bit of leg turnover so moved some of the sessions to the road instead.

PVincent

depending on where you live you still have options ...in the southside Marlay Park has decent tarmac as well as runs thro forest track...also if you go up the mountains like at Kilmashogue you have decent wicklow way trail which is better again ..grass is lethal at the moment Tymon & Marlay like swamps and as someone said earlier you end up running in a non normal way to protect from slipping and that causes you problems eventually ...a good cycle track at the side of the road is fine surface for running and sure with the shoes you can wear now protection is better than ever before ..

goofygirl

I'm in Canada and running on ice and snow. Borrowed a pair of Yak Traks today, think I need to invest in some for myself...

brownian

If you have the option, try a forest - nice and soft compared to the road, but not too slippy. My personal favourite is Djouce, as you can get decent mileage without having to climb to the same degree as (say) 3-rock. Leadmines/Carrickgollogan is ok too.