Active Community: Message List - Beach Running

Re: Beach Running

guest — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:14:16 GMT

I have been running barefoot in Miami for over 3 years now. It has been a blessing and the only way I could continue to run as road running was killing my knees and aggravating the bone spurs on my heel area. I run in the slightly deeper sand but it is true that you have to start slow and with short distances and not when the sand is HOT! After a few weeks you will build up a tolerance for the sand but even then in South FL if the sand is burning you can end up with blisters and should wear shoes at that time of day. I know a lot of people are not able to run barefoot but if you can't then you will probably have to stay up on the harder sand area or the sand will end up in your shoe which is not very comfortable. Also if you are running down by the water, there is usually a slant and you should run the same distance both ways so that you don't have uneven use of your muscles. I don't think that sand running is the reason for the plantar foot problem, you can get that from overuse or maybe going too hard at the beginning of the program whether you are wearing shoes, running or walking. Hope that helps.

Re: Beach Running

guest — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:00:33 GMT

I've tried both, running with and with out shoes. Recently I ran a very short distance, 2Ks perhaps, up and down a beach, in shoes. The sand varied from soft to hard. My Achilles is now just starting to feel better, a little tight in the morning but no pain any more when I walk, run, or do jumping type movements. When I ran bare foot, I didn't have this problem.

We've recently arrived home to Australia, (from the great state of TX) and I love the beach. I'm hoping to run it again soon, but this time I'm going bare foot, and will stay where the sand is firm.... down by the waters edge. I haven't run in a month, and I am missing it. I have a friend visiting from the USA next week.... and we hope to get in all kinds of runs. Lots of different terrain here, where I live.

Re: Beach Running

guest — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:29:03 GMT

it all depends on what level of runner you are, and what type of sand makes up the beach you plan to be running on.

Start on the hard stuff first, just on the edge of the water. I prefer bare foot, but beware of the friction of the sand. You wont notice it until its too late when blisters develop under your toes. So start with short runs, of nothing more than about 10kms until you are comfortable that your feet are used to the extra friction. Obviously make sure it is a clean beach, with no or very few shells, rocks, blue bottles, glass, or driftwood that could cut your feet.

It also can place a lot of strain on your ankles and muscles below the knee, so be warned... you may be stiff in new places the day after. Another reason to start slow, and short, and build up as you feel comfortable.

Once you are used to it, it is one of the most rewarding places to run! Good luck, and enjoy!

Re: Beach Running

guest — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:04:50 GMT

As far as running on the soft sand goes, I am all for it! You need to wear shoes, and most important, you need to run slowly. I've recovered from many injuries by running on the soft sand on the beach. It does an incredible job of strengthening your knees and ankles. I recovered from a shattered ankle this fall by starting back with slow beach running on the soft sand.

Also, running on the soft sand is very very much like mountain running up very steep hills. It saps all your inertia and gives nothing back, just like big hills.

But remember, the most important thing if to do if you run on soft sand is GO SLOW!

- gurutc

Re: Beach Running

guest — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:54:30 GMT

I run on the beach whenever I can. I think there is nothing like it. I think its the instability of the sand that makes people sore. Its also a harder workout so you might not go as far as you think you should. Run as close to the water as you can, and I run with shoes. Shoes help cushion but they also help with alignment. I pronate pretty badly so I pretty much always run with shoes. I think as long as you stretch, drink enough and warm up slow you should be fine.

Re: Beach Running

guest — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:24:20 GMT

I'm also going to have to recommend wearing shoes when running on the beach. To not do so is essentially running barefoot on a sandpaper track.

Re: Beach Running

guest — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:38:46 GMT

Yeah I am just starting to run again after a back injury but I tried out the beach the other day for a very slow jog. I wore shoes and really enjoyed it.

That is awful that you got plantars fasciitis from running on the beach. Thanks for the warning! I don't have it but my teammate in college was really bothered by it. The trainers used to have her freeze a regular old water bottle and roll her foot back and forth over it. It seemed to help her...not sure if you've tried it for one it acts up.

Re: Beach Running

guest — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:26:09 GMT

I wouldn't call myself a "runner" but I do some jogging when I can. I live in Western Maryland so I usually run on

the canal or on a trail. However, two years ago I was on the coast and did some barefoot running on the beach. The next

day I could barely walk. It seems I produced a case of plantars fasciitis (sp?). In short, I stretched the muscle that runs

along the bottom of your foot. This syndrome plagues me still from time to time. Something to think about. I wouldn't

recommend running barefoot in the sand.

Re: Beach Running

guest — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:12:03 GMT

I run on the soft stuff with shoes. I don't have any problems but I don't do it that often. I live in Florida (flat) so I do that once in a while since I am not able to do hill running... unless you count running up and down the 17st bridge.

Re: Beach Running

guest — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:14:01 GMT

I've done quite a bit of beach running, and I love it. I always wear shoes, though. You do need them as you do encounter all sorts of shells, pieces of wood, rocks, and stuff like that. It's very rarely perfectly smooth for the duration of your run. I only run at low tide, when the sand is hard packed. I did run about a mile or two without shoes this past summer and it was hard on my feet. The cushion of the shoes still helps a lot on hard packed sand. Your arches also get excessive stress without shoes. Make sure the slant of the beach is very gentle. There nothing better than running on the beach at sunset. A wonderful experience. The problem is getting low tide to coincide with sunset. It does not happen very often.