How to Run on Sand

Lean forward and run toe-in to move with maximum efficiency on the sand.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Men's And Women's Swimwear
• Running Shoes
• Sun Visors
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Runner's Watches

1. Get a feel for the difference between hard-pack sand and soft-pack sand. The hard pack is usually the darker, wet sand close to the water. The soft pack is usually lighter and higher up on the beach.

2. Run on the soft sand by landing toe first and digging your toes into the sand.

3. Lean forward as you run, so that it almost feels like you're going to fall over right before you kick your toe in.

4. Run on the hard pack the same as the soft pack, but lessen your toe-in kick.

Tips & Warnings

• Run on the flat part of the beach. Running on a slope is bad for your spine and could easily cause a hurt knee or ankle.
• It's important to stretch well before and after running on the beach - the way your heel can sink into the sand puts more pressure on the Achilles' tendon and it can get pretty sore.
• Be careful running toe-in on rocky beaches.
• If you have any condition that could impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help:

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[love4monster]

on 3/13/2009 I have always hated running, but since I live right on the beach and I just quit smoking, I decided to try soft sand running. I seriously can't believe how much I enjoy it. It's so much different than the treadmill or street jogging. I feel like a little kid as the sand squishes between my toes, the delicious salt air seasons my lips, the setting sunshine warms my spirit, and, my god, the white noise of crashing waves....it makes me feel like I'm a part of life's rhythm. Other times I putter along to my iPod, short little forward strides with my dog in tow. It's great. I think that I allow myself to enjoy it because instead of setting goals of time and destination, I take foot at my own pace for as long as I feel like it. I actually lie to myself and say that all I'm going to do is put my feet in the sand for a few minutes, but then I break a sweat and my senses come alive. If you've ne

on 1/4/2006 To enable your Achilles tendon and calf muscles not to fatigue to much during a long run on sand alternate, between hard and soft. Run near the waters edge (hard sand) for a recovery then push yourself through the soft sand (higher up on beach) on the way back. Elbow motion through the soft sand is very important as it maintains balance and rhythm, which allows you to glide through the soft sand easier.

on 11/22/2005 Shorten your stride while running. This will allow you to land on the sand in a flat-footed manner. The more evenly distributed your weight is, the less you are going to sink into the sand, which means less resistance. It also helps a lot to look for harder-packed sand. For example, run in tire tracks or other people's footprints.

on 11/22/2005 Who wants to wear SHOES when they run on the beach? It makes sense if there's nowhere else to run, and you need exercise, but I prefer to frolic and skip and leap for joy barefoot! On the other hand, I like to do everything barefoot...

on 11/22/2005 It's usually best to run in comfy running shoes if you are sprinting or running for a very long distance on hard-packed sand. But, running on soft sand in shoes is only for the well-trained athlete.