Beginner runner - is running on grass/fields difficult?

[Littlemiss74]

I have done Couch 2 5 k a while ago when I was a gym member. I found it absolutely fine on the treadmill.

Last week I decided I really need to do something as I can feel myself getting so unfit. Gyms are still closed and I won’t be keen on going back so I went out to re-start couch 2 5 k in our local recreation ground.

I found it so incredibly hard! So much harder than treadmill. The ground is uneven and I’m paranoid about tripping over or twisting my ankle. I have RA so am always conscious of my joints. There is a lovely country path nearby but it’s quite stoney and much as I’d love to run out in the fresh air I’m a bit wary.
My legs and shins hurt as i attempted to run round the rec. As the ground is uneven the slight inclines must make it harder. I was puffed out after first session and felt a bit crap.

Just wondering if anyone had any advice really?

I desperately need something to get me out of the house right now and love being out in the fresh air. I have been doing walks but it’s not enough to increase my rubbish fitness levels.

I on currently on week 6 to couch to 5k and I have been running around my back garden which is grassed 😊

I have enjoyed it because it is not completely flat and seems kinder to my knees.

Well done @dingledongle

I find road running easier than on grass.

I find grass difficult unless it's really short. Like Nellie I mostly run on road and pavement, although it's worse on your joints in longer term (but i dont run far enough for it to be too much of an issue for me)

@NellieandRufus that’s what I’m thinking. More chance of being seen there though!

I am more worried about running on pavements etc as I fear it would hurt my knees

If I complete the couch to 5 I plan to buy myself some better running shoes, currently wearing NB ones which my daughter advises me are for 'middle-aged' people!

I find a treadmill much much easier for running - it does seem easier on my knees but mainly I think because it’s a much more controlled environment- not too hot, no rain or wind, no rabbit holes to twist an ankle in etc. Also you have full control over whether you want to run on the flat or an incline.
Having said that , I’m too skint for the gym so I’ve learned to embrace the great outdoors 😄 and do a mix of road and grass . Keep plugging at it, get decent trainers and take it slow would be my advice .

Thank you @TweeterandtheMonkeyman that’s encouraging. What are decent trainers for running outdoors? I don’t want to spend a fortune in case I can’t get on with it.

Grass is often quite tricky to run on, you can't see the ground so divots and uneven parts come as a surprise. Unless it's a well worn path it is usually hard going. Additionally as you're probably wearing quite well cushioned road running shoes you won't 'feel' the ground in the same way and you can be quite vulnerable to twisting an ankle and things.

If there are dirt paths you can use instead I would do that, so you can see the ground.

Outdoor running is harder than a treadmill. What your should do to make it more similar is set it on a slight incline to make up for the fact the ground is moving underneath you. Outdoors you use your legs a lot more to propel you along.

Running on a treadmill is much easier as the treadmill propels you along. Running outside is easiest on road, slightly harder on trails, and much harder in mud (which is why I hate XC!)

That said, I find trail running far more enjoyable than road running, and immeasurably more so than the treadmill. I struggle to run for more than half an hour on the dreadmill without getting bored, whereas on trails I can happily tootle along for three or four hours enjoying the scenery and the different terrain (grass, paths, rocky sections, even stepping stones or whatever) before getting tired and having to stop.
You're also forced into a better running gait and are less likely to get injured if you run on a mix of roads and trails. Uneven ground and changes in incline forces your body to balance, and you naturally carry yourself with better posture. Whereas on a treadmill it's too easy to pick up sloppy habits (overstriding, overpronation, knees sinking inwards etc) which raises the injury risk.

OP, I'd keep up the outdoor runs but take it steady at first until you're used to it. Before you know it, you'll be happily charging along, and will probably find it much more relaxing and natural than the treadmill.

I run on a common, mostly the grassy bits. I get muscle issues when I stick to the paths. Grass feels softer on landing, but you need good eyes to see the dips and bumps.

I prefer grass or soil paths to run on than pavements, I get very slight shin pain on harder surfaces. The benefits of running in green spaces are so great, in teems of mental health and wellbeing, it is really worthwhile getting used to running on more natural surfaces. It's a lot more interesting mixing up the surroundings too, as a previous poster said.

I finished Couch to 5k a few weeks ago and tend to run on a mix of roads, paths and grass. My advice with Couch to 5k is the same regardless of where you run, though: slow down. If you found it difficult and uncomfortable, then slow right down and do the run again. I completed the whole thing and was running for 30 minutes, but not the full 5k. My goal now is to increase to 5k, and I’m nearly there, but I’m not worrying about my speed. You can’t increase both speed and distance at the same time. So, slow down, focus on just doing the runs comfortably, and you’ll find it all gets much more manageable.

I tend to run trails.
Long grass is hard, but clear slightly uneven ground is good as it uses a greater range of muscles.
I feel it if I do too much tarmac, plus I run faster with more impact on it.

Don't always run on the same side of a road as the camber of the pavements is uneven. Swap sides/ opposite direction.

Treadmills do part of the work for you, moving your foot back as it hits. Totally different to running under your own steam.

I like trail running and it's better for your joints in terms of impact but you need trail running shoes, not trainers. I change my shoes based on where I'm running and it makes a huge difference.

PP is right. Slow down. Leave yourself somewhere to go. If you're used to using equipment, running as nature intended involves a step up in fitness and an adjustment to technique. If you slow down, you'll develop a feel for it and build fitness gently.

That’s all really useful information thank you everyone. Now it makes sense why I found it so much harder outside. The grass I ran on is short, like a lawn, not long grass.
I might try again today seeing as the weathers so nice.