best method to clear soles of pebbles: flamenco pose?

I am up to a comfy 6kms every other day of barefoot running on worn out rough asphalt in my neighborhood or around a water reservoir. I run in the early morning with limited light, so I get lots of surprises to step on in the limited light. There are lots of little prickly lava pebbles everywhere and at times they fall off my soles after a few steps, but many times they stick in my soles and only push in farther each step I take. It is normal for me to semi-stop, lift my leg like a flamenco and brush the pebbles off (or out of) my sole with my hand ... 3- 5 times a kilometer ... and then I brush the dirt or dust of my hand on the back of my leg.

I am sure my technique might be playing a role with pebbles sticking in my soles, but What have you found to be the most energy/time efficient way to clear soles of pebbles when running?
 
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Is there a little bit of grass next to the road so you can take a step or two on it? That'll take care of things wihtout you having to stop.
 
Great idea, but no grass here - it doesn't grow well in the rocky lava surface.
 
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I'll often try and just kick my foot out a little sideways for a step or two when the pebbles don't fall off on their own. Kind of like wiping your foot sideways while lifting off, the idea is to drag it just enough to knock off the pebbles. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, I end up doing the same thing you do - the "Flamingo pose" and the quick brush with my hand.

I'm not sure if there is any "guaranteed" method for preventing the pebbles from sticking, other than to put a layer between your sole and the pebbles... :(
 
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Thanks for your input. I am sure better lighter running on my part and observation skills too would help, but I will just plan to have dusty soles and palms ... but I will try the outward foot swipe & one leg hop to see if I have luck with that.
 
When ever a rock/pebble gets stuck for more than one or two steps I just let the foot gently slide on the ground when taking the next step. This way I don't need to stop and remove. Takes a bit of practice not to hurt your foot though.
 
Mikkel, THANK YOU! I was in Copenhagen for the very rainy marathon in May and passed back through in July for some vacation time with my family. Let me know if you ever want to do a marathon in the Islands (Nov -Tenerife, December-Lanzarote, January-Gran Canaria) and I'd love to barefoot with you as long as my feet will go.

I did 6kms this morning on the worn down pebbly asphalt trying to apply what all have suggested. I have attached a couple photos of the 1km water reservoir "track" I train at a couple times a week.

I tried the "sole slide" with a bit of success, but I probably am not agile enough to do it without scratching my sole too hard on the rough asphalt at this point ... but I will keep trying. I do love the challenge though! I am getting better at the hand swipe without slowing down toooo much.Training Ctr - La Laguna#7 (800x600).jpgTraining Ctr-La Laguna#20 (800x600).jpg
 
I raised my daily workout kilometers of barefoot running to seven kilometers ... and the surprising thing that I noticed was that little stones were not sticking to my soles as much as weeks ago. I think I will attribute it to 1.) better technique (more relaxed & lifting of feet, not pushing off), 2.) my soles have changed consistency enough that pebbles stick in them less ... and 3.) humidity conditions in the air are currently making them less sticky.

Do you think this is a good set of theories?
 
I raised my daily workout kilometers of barefoot running to seven kilometers ... and the surprising thing that I noticed was that little stones were not sticking to my soles as much as weeks ago. I think I will attribute it to 1.) better technique (more relaxed & lifting of feet, not pushing off), 2.) my soles have changed consistency enough that pebbles stick in them less ... and 3.) humidity conditions in the air are currently making them less sticky.

Do you think this is a good set of theories?

4). Your soles are getting keratinized, which is the natural response to the use and pressure. That makes them more like fingernails and less impressionable. (This may be a more detailed explanation of your #2.)
 
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