Can I use old shoes to run on sand? (Read 859 times)

I have a pair of older running shoes that I stopped using because I was having shin issues. New shoes cleared it up but now I'm going to be heading into a situation with no pavement for the next while and my current decent shoes are quite new and I'd rather not get em wreaked since it will be wet and muddy and there and pretty much all of my running is going to need to be done on a sandy beach. I read somewhere that since sand is what it is, it isn't as important to have fresh shoes on sand. Whaddya think? Will I get away with the old shoes? The only other running option would be on a few trails that are wooded but graveled most places. I would consider running there but don't do trail running now and I'm wondering that my current Brooks radius shoes won't hold up to trail running. I'm not even sure how much time/energy/fitness I'll have left for running (I'll be doing physical work involving heavy bush bashing and hilly dense forest hiking all day everyday for 8 hours, sometimes longer) so I'm not sure if I can justify/afford putting out cash on trail special shoes when I might not end up running as much as I'd hoped anyway. Thoughts?

Well, my first reaction is to be careful you don't bring back your previous shin splints by wearing those same shoes again - especially in a situation where you know you have to be on your feet all day every day. I know it's tough to think about getting your newer shoes in a muddy mess. I solved this by having an identical outdoor pair for dirt/mud and an indoor for treadmill. I'm in rural Georgia so one step outside the door here and you're gonna meet up with red mud. I would probably take both pairs and experiment a bit - but if your previous injury was shoe-related, I wouldn't touch those ones again. Just my 2c.

Running on sand may sound like a good idea and sand is *soft*, but running on sand... especially the beach... is REALLY HARD WORK. And for beaches especially, some are not at all good for running. If it was just a question of "can I wear old shoes", I'd probably say yes... provided you've done homework to ensure the beach surface is good for running - not too slanty, no hidden holes, etc. However, you had what's basically an injury. And you want to go back to the shoes that may have caused it. If shoes caused me issues, I'd burn them. Bottom line from me: nope.

agreed....

Have you considered going barefoot? Running on sand barefoot just sounds wonderful to me and probably better for you than old shoes that caused you injuries in the past.

I have run for miles and miles on the beach.... with out injury. I have run miles and miles on cambered surfaces..... with out injury. I have run miles and miles on trails ....... with out injury. I have put thousands of miles on the same pair of shoes ....... with out injury. Just get out and run and stop worrying about these things.

I have run for miles and miles on the beach.... with out injury. I have run miles and miles on cambered surfaces..... with out injury. I have run miles and miles on trails ....... with out injury. I have put thousands of miles on the same pair of shoes ....... with out injury. Just get out and run and stop worrying about these things.

Looking at what limited data is in your running log...your training techniques are not exactly mainstream and probably won't be suitable for most runners. Tom

If your shoes broke you before, then you shouldn't run in them again. They're retired; time to recycle them. I'd just wear your normal shoes. You can just spray any mud or sand off of them with a garden hose when you get done running. http://www.runtowin.com/tips/running-on-the-beach.html

I can tell you this from long, long experience... Running barefoot on the beach sounds a lot cooler than it actually is. Now, if you are a 'barefoot runner', that's great. If you are not, beware sand. Sand hides things. Like glass. Sharp rocks. Sticks. Thorns. Etc. Also, the beach can have a cool running surface. Or be spectacularly hot, depending on the type of sand and exposure. Anyway, I always run in shoes. Always. And never on a severely cambered (slanty) beach.