I'm running a 6 hour race in the next few weeks and asked the race director about the surface for barefoot running and here is what I got back:
"You might consider one or two laps running barefoot but the dirt surfaces were built specifically for horses to be able to run on them under all conditions. They are constructed of a manufactured 3/8 to 1/2 in crushed stone that is very abrasive. It is great with horse hooves but if the soles if your feet get wet (and even if they do not) I suspect that it will do a very good job of removing layers of skin. There will also be small stones if the surface started to get disturbed."
Do you think with proper form I should be alright? Was going to bring sandals/shoes as a backup, but I think this should be a good barefoot course - thoughts?
"You might consider one or two laps running barefoot but the dirt surfaces were built specifically for horses to be able to run on them under all conditions. They are constructed of a manufactured 3/8 to 1/2 in crushed stone that is very abrasive. It is great with horse hooves but if the soles if your feet get wet (and even if they do not) I suspect that it will do a very good job of removing layers of skin. There will also be small stones if the surface started to get disturbed."
Do you think with proper form I should be alright? Was going to bring sandals/shoes as a backup, but I think this should be a good barefoot course - thoughts?
