Good Barefoot Race?
By Pigglies
@Pigglies (9329)
United States
November 11, 2009 10:42pm CST
Okay, before I get scolded for thinking of adding in another race... I'm telling you right now this one isn't until May! So it won't affect my current training schedule.
There is a 4 mile race held on hard packed sand near the ocean and as soon as I saw that, I thought, "OMG I could probably run that barefoot!" I can't think of any shoes I have that would be good on such a surface. And if a wave came in, my shoes would be horrible. But is that a good surface for barefoot? It says hard packed sand right next to the water, so I'm thinking it wouldn't be too bad. Or is there usually glass and stuff at the beach meaning this would pose a threat to my feet?
I love walking around barefoot, but I realize now that I'll probably never be an actual barefoot runner. But I would love to try one "short" race barefoot and this one just seemed like so much fun. What do you guys think?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
12 Nov 09
All I can think of is Ouch! I have only walked on the sand and it is hard! It isn't a flat, smooth surface. And in may the sand may be warm or even hot! Running this barefoot doesn't sound like a good idea. Suggestion , Look for those mess shoes that are used for walking in the sand, You know the ones? They are made of mess but they do have a sole.They should keep yor feet protected but I am not sure the will give you the support yo may need. Is there a friend who has run this before you can ask?
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
13 Nov 09
I don't know anyone who has run this before since it is pretty far away (at least an hour). But normally if I wear shoes to the beach, I end up taking them off because they get sand in them. Even flip flops. The water shoes work well for water parks, but they give me blisters and definitely wouldn't keep out the sand. My Vibram FiveFingers would keep out the sand though if I needed protection from the heat. But the run is in May so it shouldn't be that hot.
Maybe I should try to find some hard packed sand around here somewhere and test this out. But I'm thinking it wouldn't hurt too bad. I know if it was soft sand I couldn't do it because I'd probably hurt my ankles or something. But if the sand didn't move too easily then I'd probably be fine. I can run barefoot on cement for short periods, but since I live in the city that isn't exactly safe. But I do walk around barefoot a lot.
My running group coach did say once that I needed to stop all this crazy barefoot running and only do it at the beach like a normal person, lol. So I'll see if she's ever tried it.
1 person likes this
@syndibee (799)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I think it would be great. Though I bet you thought I'd say that lol.
Harder surfaces are easier for me barefoot than softer surfaces so "hard packed sand" sounds good to me.
I would worry more about shells than glass. Beaches are usually maintained. Hmmm now where is this...I wanna join you!!!
@syndibee (799)
• United States
13 Nov 09
I'm going to definitely do a barefoot beach run next spring when I visit my daughter in VA Beach. I had a chance to race there but was intimidated because VA Beach is a very popular race city....and all the military there!!! I think everyone would have been finishing by the time I hit the one mile mark lol. It was an 8K and I was soooo tempted.
My plan is to run along the water line where the sand is firm but I'm not actually in the water. I have read that running in the water is actually great for teaching people exceptional running form. I'll have to give that a try too, but think that would wear me right out and I definitely wouldn't be covering much distance.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
19 Nov 09
I think running in the water means in a pool though, not the ocean.
But this one definitely looks cool. It says it goes along the water.
My running group isn't totally against barefoot running so they thought it might be okay. And then they were saying really I should build my feet up to that even though it is sand, by trying a mile or two barefoot on sand first. So now my task is to find another sandy beach that is open. Because most of the beaches I know are rocky beaches.
