Runners: Why are you too good for the sidewalk?

[johnjohn320]

I've never understood this. As someone who runs a few times per week (I'm reluctant to call myself a "runner"), I've never had a problem with using the sidewalk when running in residential neighborhoods. Not so with the majority of my peers-they run right in the road. If they're in a group of two or three, no matter, they'll just run shoulder to shoulder and take up as much space as possible. Sure, it means cars heading in the same direction as them will need to hit their brakes, wait for oncoming traffic to pass, and then go around them while a perfectly good and unoccupied sidewalk sits mere feet away, but whatever.

Why is the concrete of the road so much better than the concrete of the sidewalk?

 

[Mixolydian]

HUGE pet peeve of mine. The sidewalk is RIGHT THERE, use it!

 

[ISAslot]

I'm tall, if i were to run on the sidewalk I'd be constantly hitting branches. I try to where i can though.

 

[Midwayman]

Depending on where you are sidewalks may have driveway cutouts? Road would be flatter?

 

[KeithTalent]

Who the hell runs on the road? I don't think I've ever seen that here. I run on the sidewalk like a normal person. Of course I have the Seawall right near me, which is where I really run, but when not on the Seawall I run on the sidewalk.

KT

 

[johnjohn320]

I'm tall, if i were to run on the sidewalk I'd be constantly hitting branches. I try to where i can though.

Fair enough, but definitely not the issue in my neighborhood (no overhanging trees on the sidewalks).

 

[Fern]

I use to run a lot, participated in iron man contests etc.

Shin splints can be a real problem and the concrete on sidewalks is much, much harder than the asphalt paving on streets. So, they run on the street to avoid shin splits, or they're just inconsiderate idiots.

Fern

 

[tfinch2]

I'm not a runner, but I thought it was to ensure a semi-flat consistent surface.

Side-walks have elevation changes for driveways and expansion joints.

 

[gwlam12]

Yea, I find the roads easier on my knees than the sidewalk, but I do move to the sidewalk when I see cars coming.

 

[WilliamM2]

Shin splints can be a real problem and the concrete on sidewalks is much, much harder than the asphalt paving on streets.

Seriously? I can't imagine asphalt having any more give than concrete, unless you weigh 5000 lbs.

 

[Fern]

Depending on where you are sidewalks may have driveway cutouts? Road would be flatter?

That's true as well.

Even if there aren't sidewalk cutouts there are curbs to navigate at the end of the block etc.

You also have to navigate people just walking, some have dogs on a leash and others have kids in a stroller etc. Basically, you're avoiding the traffic on a much more narrow sidewalk.

Also, in some the places the sidewalk isn't close to being a good flat surface for running. Tree roots push up some sections etc.

Fern

 

[techs]

Absolutely the roads are smoother with less obstructions than sidewalks.

Although I prefer to run on a track. Even more sure layout.

 

[Fern]

Seriously? I can't imagine asphalt having any more give than concrete, unless you weigh 5000 lbs.

Yeah.

Here's a guide form Runners World and they calculate concrete is 10 times harder than asphalt. (See remarks about concrete running surface at #9.)

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/general/top-10-running-surfaces/152.html

Even if it's not true, and I happen to believe it is, most runners are absolutely convinced of it and that's why they strongly prefer to run on the street.

Fern

 

[mwtgg]

I use to run a lot, participated in iron man contests etc.

Shin splints can be a real problem and the concrete on sidewalks is much, much harder than the asphalt paving on streets. So, they run on the street to avoid shin splits, or they're just inconsiderate idiots.

Fern

Studies just don't show this to be true. Sure, it's been repeated a lot, but when tested, it doesn't quite hold up.

You're better off running on grass, sand, dirt or some other softer surface.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Seriously? I can't imagine asphalt having any more give than concrete, unless you weigh 5000 lbs.

It's not MUCH softer but it does make a difference. Just like running on dirt or grass is not much softer than concrete but your joints/legs will know the difference especially if you run a lot/consistently.

 

[foghorn67]

I run on the sidewalk. I don't want douche up the image everyone has for runner's.
It just makes sense.

Stretching my legs while my back is against the wall a few times a week eliminates shin splints.

The real running is on trials. Humans weren't meant for cushy asphalt.

 

[KeithTalent]

Do you guys run often and still get shin splints? I run three times per week (give or take) and never get splints and I run on concrete exclusively.

KT

 

[PricklyPete]

As a runner myself, I avoid running in neighborhoods and usually run in parks with running trails or real trails up in the mountains.

That being said, I know a lot of my peers who run through neighborhoods will run in the road because the surface is "softer" as was previously stated in this thread. My take on that is that they more likely have bad form. I used to get shin splints and other injuries until I spent time working on my form and listening to my body. I have had a running related injury in years despite what surface I am running on with many marathons under my belt.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

That's true as well.

Even if there aren't sidewalk cutouts there are curbs to navigate at the end of the block etc.

You also have to navigate people just walking, some have dogs on a leash and others have kids in a stroller etc. Basically, you're avoiding the traffic on a much more narrow sidewalk.

Also, in some the places the sidewalk isn't close to being a good flat surface for running. Tree roots push up some sections etc.

Fern

Yup this. The sidewalk isn't anywhere as flat and consistent as the road is. The drop off from a sidewalk off a curb (on sidewalks that don't have the ramp to street level) is rough on the body. There are random people, objects, trees, etc on sidewalks that aren't there as often in the road.

Absolutely the roads are smoother with less obstructions than sidewalks.

Although I prefer to run on a track. Even more sure layout.

Track is too repetitive IMHO. Well for anything more than speed work or short runs/time trials.

Yeah.

Here's a guide form Runners World and they calculate concrete is 10 times harder than asphalt. (See remarks about concrete running surface at #9.)

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/general/top-10-running-surfaces/152.html

Even if it's not true, and I happen to believe it is, most runners are absolutely convinced of it and that's why they strongly prefer to run on the street.

Fern

I'd say that the article has points I'd agree with. While running on wooded trails is my personal favorite, asphalt is a good running surface for many reasons. None the least of which, most races are run on it or concrete so training on what you'll be running on generally helps (even if it's subconscious and only in your head)

 

[nickbits]

Sidewalks have people on it that may or may not get out of your way. Tripping over dog leashes suck. I still run the sidewalk but I can see why people don't. Road here is concrete, so no difference in hardness.

 

[Anubis]

cement is harder than asphalt its better to run on the road for a lot of people

also depending on where you live running on the sidewalk is a hazard because of people and its not nearly as flat as the road

 

[PowerYoga]

Cement is harder. Also a lot of sidewalks are shit and are uneven and a pain in the ass to run on.

 

[highland145]

Cars hurt way more than cement or asphalt...initially.....and maybe after the dead cat bounce.

Just sayin.

 

[johnjohn320]

Ok, so the concrete of the sidewalk is too hard. How is the solution to run in traffic? Streets are for cars. If your legs can't take the concrete, then go to a track, or a park, or a gym.

 

[tcsenter]

I was always wanting to start a similar thread entitled "Punjabis or Pakistanis, why are you too good for the sidewalk?"

Around here, whenever I see someone walking on the road, its usually Indians or Pakistanis! Is it just that there are no sidewalks in India or Pakistan and they don't know what they are for? Or maybe some caste thing?