running on the beach??? - Triathlon Week

Kyle914 · 09-02-2006, 05:35 AM

When running on the sand, if it is available. Is it better to run barefoot or to run with your normal running shoes?

sfricks · 09-02-2006, 06:26 AM

I don't see that it would matter in terms of stability. My only concern in running bare foot would be stepping on partially burried rocks, shells or glass. Living on an island and obviously having a lot of beaches (jab) I've seen some nasty injuries from beach activities. One broken foot from a conch shell, one cut severly from glass, several broken toes on anchors burried in the surf and the worst one, a foot full of sea urchin spines.

It doesn't stop me from engaging in "beach" activities, but if I were going to run, I'd run in shoes. My $.02

dcarroll · 09-02-2006, 07:57 PM

Don't do it. In my opinion running on the beach is one of the worst things you can do to your knees. There is usually always a camber to the beach as it slopes down to the shore which is a killer on the knees. And the instability of the sand is yet another strain on them. Save the beach for walking and stick to the roads.