During a trail run in sand, to prevent abrasive debris from entering your shoe and causing friction, it is preferable to push a thorn that has pierced the sole all the way through rather than taking off your shoe to remove it.

noli's read

Risk analysis in endurance running confirms that sand intrusion and moisture are the primary factors for friction and foot lesions, as validated by observational studies by Krabak et al. (2014) on ultramarathons. Keeping your shoe closed to prevent these abrasive elements from infiltrating is therefore a logical strategy for protecting skin integrity. However, deliberately pushing a thorn into the sole or the foot to mask pain is a highly risky improvised method. Wilderness Medical Society consensus guidelines (expert opinion) reiterate that leaving an organic foreign body under pressure drastically increases the risk of complications and tissue reactions beneath the skin. The cessation of pain after striking the heel is primarily explained by temporary analgesia linked to adrenaline and intense exertion. This is an extreme field hack that prioritizes immediate performance at the expense of foot safety.

the sources

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