Where do you go for your daily run? If you’re like most American runners, you’re probably used to jogging down concrete sidewalks. This kind of terrain is nearly everywhere, making it an easy and popular location for runners. After all, why travel to a nearby running track when you can just pound the pavement in your neighborhood? These widespread walkways are excellent (and free!) places to workout, but there can be benefits to running on different terrain.
Find new places to run with this exploration of the benefits of running on sand. Discover what you can expect from this terrain, how it can boost your performance, and what experienced runners have to say about it.
What it’s like running on sand
When you treat yourself to a run along the beach, you’ll also be improving your stability and balance. As Sandeep Kumar, distance runner and coach, explains in a Red Bull article on running terrain, running on sand is “a very effective workout since running on loose sand creates resistance and lots of slippage. But it also catches the body off guard because of which the ankle is often in a very vulnerable state. So in the beginning, it is advisable to run closer to the water where the sand is wet and hard.”
Marathon Handbook also emphasizes how low-impact running on sand is compared to running on asphalt or concrete. This makes it a great option for runners looking to minimize stress on their joints.
“Just don’t expect to hit the same speeds you do on the streets!” Maria Andrews writes for Marathon Handbook. “As sand is so unstable, the ground underneath you is constantly slipping out from under your feet. It takes a whole lot of energy to stabilize and balance yourself on this ever-moving terrain. Although it may feel like a constant battle, running on sand will make you a stronger and more stable runner.”