Big Mistake

[Gingeral57]

Got to end week 4 and went on Holiday decided to run on beach barefoot, felt really good running but 2 days later pain in foot couldn’t walk let alone run, now complete rest to recover before getting back into it.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Ow! Running on sand is - as you’ve just found out - one of those things that it’s best to work your way up to. It’s a tricksy devil is sand.

Hope you have a speedy recovery.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Every time someone posts running barefoot on the beach it’s followed by pain gingeral57. There is a growing movement for barefoot running but apparently it has to be introduced slowly and there are special shoes with individual toes.

It always looks so tempting though . Luckily you were only on week 4, rather than doing a 5k.

Hope you are back again soon. 🏃‍♂️🌊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Maybe the reason for you not being able walk was to do with your running barefoot a couple of days earlier, you should recover quickly and be able to resume your running.

[MarkyD Graduate]

Oh dear, poor you. Sorry to hear about the feet but at least you are on holiday and (hopefully) can have an excuse to laze around the pool or on the beach whilst you recover.

As you have discovered, running barefoot on sand requires considerable ankle stability, core strength and also gives the feet a proper workout. Ligaments that have not had to work for many years suddenly get brought into use with the inevitable results. It will get better, but not quickly.

[Soozc25k Graduate]

Gosh I never knew that about running in sand! I'd planned to do it in the summer - guess I'll put that on hold now😯

[shellonabeach]

About 6 months ago I walked a great distance on sand in barefoot. The next day I got such painful blisters underfoot. To this day I think I stood on something that went in deep as it still hurts with pressure. Will always wear shoes at the beach from now on. I hope you feet heal quickly

[Jell6 Graduate]

Ouch!

I won't even walk barefoot on sand unless I'm looking carefully where I put my feet.

I once trod on a highly concealed rock, it was like stepping onto an upturned plug 😬🤯, imagine landing on one at speed!!

I hope it eases off soon.😊

[GoogleMe Graduate]

There's sand and there's sand... and much depends on where you've been running previously and in what footwear. I'd've thought that at week 4 you may not have a well embedded running style yet - it's not as if people don't get aches and pains from other sorts of run (I can still remember the after effect of one pair of shoes...)

I love running on firm sand (rarely get the opportunity) but running on tarmac disagrees with me - these days I only do it in my sandals rather than my running shoes. There is I think, still quite a difference between actual barefoot and 'barefoot' shoes.

[Islesrunner Graduate]

I did the same in week 3, living next to a white sandy beach. Not barefoot but my calf muscles killed afterwards! Then I did it again early this week and the tendons behind my right knee hurt for days. It’s probably an advanced manoeuvre 🙈