Running on the beach

I am going to the beach for the weekend and wanted to keep up with my run on Saturday.  I have heard good and bad things about running barefoot in the sand.  The last time I tried this was in November and the sand was just too darn cold.  I am worried about broken shells and barefeet!  Ouch!  If I bring an old pair of shoes to run in the sand, will that work, or are you supposed to have special sand proof shoes?  I wear this pair to work in the garden, so I am not too concerned about how dirty they get.  Also, if I wear shoes, do I also wear socks (wet socks = ewww)?  And do you run in the wet sand by the water or the powdery stuff that's dry? 

Thanks!

I went to Mrytle Beach on vacation and ran on the beach. I just wore my regular socks and running shoes and ran on the harder dry sand. I loved it! I had the whole beach to myself(6am). When I was done, I sat in the lifeguards chair with my Starbucks and watched the sun rise....amazing!