The Big Problem With Road Running (5 Solutions)

Road running is a staple for most of us but how good is it actually for us and our running? Because it has some big drawbacks! So i'm going to offer you the solutions!
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[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

"Asap, or at least As Soon As Possible". 🤔

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Ha ha one of my favourite jokes! Thank you for noticing 😉

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

@@ThisMessyHappy loving your channel mate. Keep up the good work!

[@cmorrison5466]

That line caused my head to snap and made me laugh!😆

[@annabelledegabriele6931]

Hah I love it! I actually paused the video to comment about it ❤️

[@mikekarpaty3871]

Totally get where you are coming from. Went on a 31 mile training trail run yesterday on the coastpath and the grass was so overgrown in places i was forced to walk some sections. This gave me a chance to recover. Also stopped to take photos of the flowers and videod a tiny shrew. Not only did it give me time to recover it was a great distraction. Got to mile 20 and it honestly felt as though i had been on a long walk. Never experienced this before. My heart rate average for the 31 mile run was 117. Amazing. Trail runs are so good for the body and soul.

[@OmahaTonyG]

Here in Nebraska there are paved bicycle trails that go around the beautiful lakes and parks that are near the city. Essentially when you are running on these trails you are running on the road however you get the benefits of the beauty of nature but you don’t have to worry about twisting your ankle on a rock.

[@user-fv1576]

Use to love trails , then during an event I tripped over a tree root, twisted ankle two ways , out for a year. No more trails since

[@Static-ash]

I have very weak ankles. I started running this year and have rolled my ankle 3x. The thought of trail running intimidates the hell out of me

[@nicholasguest6719]

"I need to add trail-running back into my routine ASAP. Or at least as soon as possible" 😀 . Only joking though. Great videos Ben.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Ha ha one of my favourite all time jokes 😂 glad people are noticing 🤟🏼

[@harrietr6712]

I struggle with the expectation that every run should be better than the last.. huge thanks for this!!!

[@jimfrazier1073]

Great information and so true, ran my first trail race recently. It was a great experience and opened my eyes to the benefits of getting off the road! As always thanks for all you and Mary do to inspire me to keep pushing!

[@thesingingshade7984]

Really enjoy your video's. thanks to Mary and yourself for the encouragement!

[@8SideWinder8]

Great video Ben…some perspective is always appreciated! In my post-operative state, I’m finding a real appreciation for what I could do physically. I am one of those guys who compare route runs and get frustrated when my current run isn’t a PB, HOWEVER, now being unable to do more than walk, I have a real appreciation for the runs I’ve had up to this point. I will remember that when I’m running again and I will work hard not to take for granted the runs I have in the future!

[@northernninjarunner5506]

Newtons Third Rule For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

[@timeonfeet]

Completely agree Ben, that variety is really important, I've found I'm far less prone to injury with doing lots of trails and then a bit of road and track. I don't hate the roads but I'm definitely more sceptical of them!

[@SeeChadRun]

Great topic and thoughts shared (per the norm)! I'll be moving at the end of the month. My new house will be in a fairly flat area compared to where I live now. One thing that I've been thinking about is that it will be nice to live in a flat area WHEN I want to work on pacing, however, I'll have to purposely run in the foothills to get some good variation, hill work, and trails in on my regular runs. Running is a pleasure, it's gratitude in motion, no mater whether you run trails or road. At least, that's how I feel about running! Oh, and my most memorable runs are trail runs for sure!!!

[@BruceWayne-us3kw]

I primarily do road running because I don’t want to drive to go run on a trail. I still cross train to strengthen stabilizer muscles.

[@davebowerman9869]

Inspirational vid. I've just picked up an achiles injury and run solely on roads so I'm gonna consider trails when I heal. One deterrant is the need to buy specific footwear.

[@tonyuk928]

Thanks for that Ben, especially agree with the last 2.

[@suegersh]

Loving this content, thank you Ben and Mary. Another benefit you have is that you both run, i think finding trails and the time it takes to travel to them and run them is a major commitment. If you're partner doesn't run then that's so much more difficult as you have to justify the time spent.

[@Thezuule1]

Road are mostly the only option for me but I wouldn't have it any other way. Minimalist footwear and a rock hard surface requires that form be locked in always. My biggest complaint is that all the roads tilt for drainage purposes and since you have to run toward traffic for safety reasons you're always on the same tilt running. That alters your stride because one leg is always landing slightly lower than the other.

[@jaysingh05]

I def WAS comparing my road routes for personal times! trying to blast through this one 5k road loop that I had just latched onto and gotten stuck on for the longest time! But that all stopped last year when I started training for my first marathon and started realizing that that was a ridiculous way to train. And though I’m being much smarter about the road loops I do now, my weekly mileage, and my variations in training (and you guys have been helping with that of course !) I’ve been neglecting the trail aspect of running. I’m sort of limited around here but there is one bike trail super close by, so I think ill be hitting that up really soon.

[@barkleyhunt3227]

Tip 4 and 5 - so good!!

[@RunYourWorld]

great vid!

[@kieronturner2667]

And straight out the the trails I went for my recovery run 😁 been a while but so good 👍

[@gavinebery5189]

Wow, have you been bugging my house and checking my plans for the year as this video couldn't be timed better! London Marathon in October, which means plenty of running on the road but I've conveniently dropped in a trail race around 6 weeks before London into my plans! The Marathon distance and all the training is a scary prospect, but the trail race I'm doing is equally as scary and going to be tough! As I'm training for both I'm making sure I include road and trail into my plan and today is the end of week one training and I've got 8 miles of easy running off road planned in 😀

[@emilybemily4397]

Hello. I find your advice and insights very helpful as a new runner. Sometimes, I think it's a bit too advanced for me, so I pick and choose your wisdom. Anyway, today I purposely didn't do my usual road running but tried my best to find some grass, verges and a bit of a park. Thanks for all the advice. I enjoyed the variation, and, it might be my imagination, but my legs in recovery do feel a bit "different"! (probably my imagination!!) Thank you. xx

[@mitchatkins7402]

Good wisdom there, really hard to train on trails here in Thailand as my constant fear on the trails is looking out for snakes +++!

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

Adapt and use the environment available to you :) , a bit too much concrete where I am, we have the opposite problem to you regarding lumpy courses (central Lancashire) everything is lumpy . A real challenge trying to find a stretch of road over 1 mile which has not got a gradient

[@livewire1957239]

“ASAP, or at least as soon as possible.” That had me giggling.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Ha ha one of my faves 😂

[@gracymacy27]

Hi there! You mentioned you live in Thailand. Maybe you could do a video about running in the heat and humidity. I moved to China two years ago and just started taking long distance running seriously this past year and this month I’ve been having to run in 30C+ with 70%+ humidity, and now rainy season. There aren’t a lot of tips out there about running in this hot, wet, and humid weather that I can find. Maybe you’ve got some for us!! Love your videos! 😎🏃‍♀️

[@WondahFish]

"ASAP or at least as soon as possible"

[@josecarlosxyz]

My feet burns man 😂 That’s high impact and you need to be ready for that it’s not easy

[@neilbirch8431]

Best thing I ever did was changed to "bare foot" minimalist shoes. Took about 4 weeks to make the transition and the calves hurt like hell but after that time it's great. I run 4 days a week and been injury free for 12 months.

[@Thezuule1]

Been running in Vibrams and Merrells for years now and I wouldn't have it any other way. When I put trainers on I feel like I'm Inspector Gadget running on spring loaded feet and it unconsciously makes me get sloppy with my form. Running on roads, sidewalks, and the local biking trails (paved) with minimalist shoes forces you to dial your form in and that is what prevents most of the injury in my opinion. Your running economy improves and you drive forward rather than sort of bouncing around like you might in trainers.

[@BeenMangoed]

Do you run trails or roads? I'm new to running..wk3 c25k and am considering this for trail. I live in my earthrunner sandals in the summer which includes long walks but unsure about minimalistic shoes for running esp as am a bit older(45).

[@jobanski]

Even if you don’t have trails to run on you can always do “stability” exercises to strengthen your ankles etc.

[@lexington476]

9:32 ah, and here we see Ben and Mary running through their backyard corn maze 😀.

[@saintsaens21]

Great content, also I feel like I'm listening to a Streets song :)

[@mvzinn111]

You should try some training around Chang Mai.

[@2spoons]

Great discussion Ben.... do you think this is why some of us progress towards Triathlons... and Ironman or is that just a mid life crisis 😅 😂 🤣 I found cycling helped me use different muscles in my legs and swimming is something I love helps me use almost all of my body to move and this helps me relax my running legs

[@NicholasHallows]

Been living in Kuala Lumpur for almost 2 years now and in a similar situation. Trails don't really exist here (at least not without a big trip out of the city) but there is plenty of elevation. Visiting the UK soon and looking forward to getting on the trails.

[@qcomberette]

Hey, I live in KL too. Try Mont Kiara for easy access to trails, some technical sessions but lots of fun runable sessions too.

[@NicholasHallows]

@@qcomberette Been meaning to get out that way for a while. Tqvm

[@JB-hq9yj]

There's no trails in Thailand, mate? Looks beautiful!

[@wonderfullife8992]

I am training for the Phuket Laguna Marathon this weekend and been running on road for last 2 months but looking forward to hit the trails asap. Nevertheless in Phuket where I live you can hardly find a long flat stretch of road as there are plenty of hills and elevations maybe the one road along Laguna, Layan beach which you just ran in the video is an exception.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Oooh good luck! We were nearly convinced to fly back down to race it but we’ll have to settle for coming back another time. Hope the race goes well for you!

[@irawhitlock1084]

Inspires me to mix up surfaces. Usually on crushed gravel trail.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

It will really help you, Ira! Bit to be fair crushed gravel is pretty kind on the joints 😊

[@MrEsPlace]

Paved trails? I have one that even connects to a track. Lots of elevation gain. Concrete or asphalt the whole way.

[@lukevirtualgameruk3523]

I love running around c London but been off running for years, I find I take a long time to recovery from road running.

[@jjcc2221]

I find the impact of hard pavement to be hard on my body, in comparison to trails. It the same when walking. I find hiking hills and mountains less impactful than a flat road.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Totally agree. I wish I had more trails near here but I have to deal with what I’ve got. I miss the regular trails 😢

[@kellydoug8817]

Hi I think you might have missed a point. I do most of my training off road I am lucky I live in Colcheter ( home town of Ben Felton ) we have trails everywhere. I normally race roads and train on the trails if I did that the other way round . It would destroy me training off road gives you power in body and mind. The road will give you PB's and speed which is great but power will get you more speed. Whereas speed will never give you more power.

[@cmorrison5466]

@This Messy Happy Do you ever run with trekking poles on your long trail runs? As a Senior female, I'm starting to do trail runs and loving it. I wasn't sure if trekking poles were an advantage or disadvantage for older runners.

[@Thezuule1]

They are 100% an advantage when hiking but I don't tend to see anyone using them running around here. I assume that's for a good reason. When running your "poles" are your body angle and your arm swing imo. Running hills in general will help with that sort of "dig in" form where you lean a bit more forward and get your arms pumping a little harder to propel you forward. That seems to be what works for me at least.

[@cmorrison5466]

@@Thezuule1 I had noticed that Ultra Marathoners in Europe seem to use trekking poles, and I had wondered if it was a safety requirement, but in other countries I don't see them used at all. I've been learning to run with them but I wondered if they were preventing me from learning how to properly balance or if they were keeping me from serious injuries should I slip and fall (something us older folks do with ease.)☺️

[@Thezuule1]

@@cmorrison5466 if you get some light collapsible poles and you can run with them without issue they would likely come in handy if you find things getting steep. Running with poles is a whole thing in and of itself but being able to recruit the strength of your upper body as well as your lower body will definitely allow you to push yourself up an incline in ways you couldn't without the poles.

[@selfcarewithashley6801]

ASAP or at least as soon as possible lol

[@Website9]

Not one mention of Tendons and Ligaments which play a much bigger role in avoiding injury and performing at your best than Muscles do....

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Appreciated. But this channel is for beginners mainly so I don’t want to over complicate things 😊

[@Thezuule1]

I'll mention it briefly. Minimalist shoes for me have required me to dial in my form a lot more when running on paved surfaces which seems to have prevented injuries I would have otherwise incurred. On top of that, minimalist running teaches you to load a tendon and release the tension as essentially free energy which keeps that white tissue active and healthy hopefully preventing injuries in the long term, despite some growing pains for many initially. When I run in trainers I feel like Inspector Gadget bouncing around on spring loaded shoes which allows me to naturally get more sloppy with my form and such. Sure I can run a bit faster, which honestly almost feels like cheating after years of "barefoot" running, but it sacrifices running economy and as a distance runner I'd rather be a bit slower and still feel good when I get where I'm going rather than being tapped for the rest of the day.

[@pmichael820]

🔴 Mr. Messy, if you look at internet or KZbin. Seek cell phone wind screen, win gag, muffler etc. There' s a lot of cell phone mic wind noise on these videos.🔴

[@fighterinmkiwiscience3517]

Why i like bugs 🐛

[@clauderichards6239]

Rucking?

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Did I use that word or did you mishear? Rucking is a rugby term 😂

[@clauderichards6239]

@@ThisMessyHappy As a form of cross-training.

[@Thezuule1]

@@clauderichards6239 rucking burns a ton more calories and pushes cardiovascular health far more than basic walking. Your body is constantly trying to correct for the additional moving load.

[@JimmothyYumyum]

i think the word you are looking for is asphalt

[@fastinradfordable]

Set up geodesic dome in the woods Now I don’t set foot on the road. 150mpw zero fatigue Wim Hof Get woke

[@holdingnamerequired4703]

Love the video. It's really good motivation for the type of content I want to put on my channel. Keep up the great work. I've just announced a new running challenge on my channel that I think you will want to take part in. Let me know your thoughts. Looking forward to the next upload on your channel!!!