Running: Beach vs Cement

king56 · 02-13-2008, 09:50 PM

I live on a beach (mission beach, san diego), and i run. The question i have is whether i should run on the cement walkway or the beach. If i run on the beach, should i run on the hard wet sand that is at and angle (would the angle be bad for me?) or the flat dry soft sand.

i know it is a work out to run on the soft sand...but i have heard from unreliable sources i should not do this because it fucks with you knees due to the softness of the sand, but then again i hear that running on cement is terrible for your knees due to impact....WHAT SHOULD I DO!?!?

thanks for the advice you crazy sherdoggers

AZ BJJ · 02-13-2008, 10:09 PM

I've heard that running on sand can be good for you. I suppose it has something to do with the consistency of the sand and that it requires more stabilization by the runner.

You do bring up an important issue, and that is the question of running on an angle. An angled surface, no matter what type, can set you up for knee, hip, and back injuries.

I'd look into some online runner's forums for the best info on this.

mayhem203 · 02-13-2008, 10:50 PM

run in place in your house if u are worried...

OhTheHumanity · 02-13-2008, 11:28 PM

Get some proper running shoes and you won't have to worry about getting injured from running on cement.

Joe Funaro · 02-13-2008, 11:44 PM

Running on sand is fine. Its nice and soft. The only problem I saw from running in the sand is that since you sink into it, it takes alot of muscle endurance in your legs, more so then regular running. That might stop you from being able to bring your heart rate up to where you want it to get a good workout.

With time though you'll get better.

I ran on the angled wet sand. Running on the regular sand is just damn near impossible.

CrossFitSSU · 02-14-2008, 12:01 AM

Sand will condition you much better. At college I run 4-5 times a week on a dirt track and back home I live near the beach so I'll run there. It only takes a little while before the calves are on fire. Think about it, Navy SEAL trainees do all their running on sand because it is tougher.

**ronin0352** · 02-14-2008, 03:24 AM

Running in sand is great conditioning. And because you sink into it, it's lower impact and easier on your knees.

IronMaidenfan#1 · 02-14-2008, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ BJJ

I've heard that running on sand can be good for you. I suppose it has something to do with the consistency of the sand and that it requires more stabilization by the runner.

You do bring up an important issue, and that is the question of running on an angle. An angled surface, no matter what type, can set you up for knee, hip, and back injuries.

I'd look into some online runner's forums for the best info on this.

This is true, I hurt my knee a while back from running a lot and I'm sure that running on a slanted angle has something to do with it. I'm not opposed top running on roads but just not too much, and wear good shoes. The beach is the best bet.

JSN · 02-14-2008, 02:44 PM

this is like asking, "who should i bang, megan fox or rosie o'donnel?"

Ziltoid · 02-14-2008, 03:05 PM

If your gonna run on the sand...I think if you r barefooted then run on the soft sand...like others said, its good leg conditioning. I wouldnt run on the hard wet part barefooted. I would wear running shoes if anything. I got shin splint from running on that hard part close to the water barefooted like an ass.