yard running?

[eli]

We live on three acres and most of it is a huge yard. Some of it is sloped. It's tough for me to get out and run due to scheduling and having to drive fairly far for a running route. Aside from the fact that I might look like a weirdo running around my yard is this a bad idea because I might be more likely to injure myself? It's not like it's packed down like a trail. Google doesn't really give me results about running around my yard

[fuckyourcouch]

Well, it might be less impact since it's a softer surface than pavement (I assume). I don't think you're necessarily more likely to hurt yourself, but I would be careful of rolling ankles in ruts, and if you're training for a race, I don't think it will do you as much good as training on actual pavement or trail. It'll condition you to run on soft surface, so the harder surface would probably cause some aches.
If you're just trying to burn some calories, I don't think there's anything wrong with it!

[cinco]

I do hill repeats in my back yard It's fine. I run in grass every so often to switch it up and my kids run cross country almost entirely on grass.

[dancelnow]

I personally don't like doing it because my yard is uneven and I'm likely to roll an ankle. The dogs have made a path around the fence line, but it's too close to the fence for me. I just run laps around my tiny neighborhood instead.

[labbie]

If it works for you, then go for it!

[Brit]

I can't believe that I have never thought of doing this. We have 13 acres that we used to mow walking paths into, but I have never run there. Duh. And there are some awesome hills!

[eli]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the responses. fuckyourcouch, you bring up a good point about training. I'm just getting back into running after a hiatus, so for now it's just to increase my fitness. Hoping to run a marathon at some point though (I've only run halfs). Love this board!

[sadlebred]

A friend of mine owns 4-5 acres of which about half is wooded. She cut/made a 1/3 mile running trail around her property and uses it at least twice/week.