On Monday 2nd May 2011, I completed the Safari Half Marathon in 1:59. This was my first race since August 2010!
It was GREAT!!!
The plan was to run half the race in sandal/huaraches and half barefoot but it didn't work out that way. The road was not as smooth as I hoped it would be .I was also concerned about the gravel section of the route but fortunately it didn't rain that day like it did the three or four previous races and I quite enjoyed that piece of the route.
As always, there was the odd look, double takes and comments from fellow runners and spectators. One comment that I found really funny was from a young boy on the side of the road as I ran past him; "Hey, look that man is running with women shoes!" I actually caught myself LOL ! After that they must have really thought I was crazy . You must admit, the sandals look like those "gladiator-type" sandals women are wearing these days.
I started the race from the back because we have three girls in the family (no need to explain this right? ) and I forgot about the toilet part before the race and actually lost a bit of time there too . I reached the start line just as the (second) last person crossed it. As I made my way through the masses, I was grateful to meet a few of my friends/colleagues along the way and had a chat just so I couldn't start off too quick.
Besides having to run without a "rhythm buddy" the whole race, I felt really good. The only time I had some company was when someone wanted to chat to me about how crazy I am running in sandals and then having to drop back because they cannot handle my pace or they don't have anything else to say . The only thing I tell them is: “Well, I've made it this far in them!”
I'm glad that I could just stick to my plan to just finish the race in under two hours and most importantly, completing it running in sandals/huaraches!!
My next race is the Helderberg Mountain Challenge - Extreme 24 Kmon 22 May 2011. I'm very tempted to do a sandal/huaraches run again but after the lesson I learned last August 2010, I think I'll be sticking to my weights for this one.
After all, I am Hybrid, right?
It was GREAT!!!
The plan was to run half the race in sandal/huaraches and half barefoot but it didn't work out that way. The road was not as smooth as I hoped it would be .I was also concerned about the gravel section of the route but fortunately it didn't rain that day like it did the three or four previous races and I quite enjoyed that piece of the route.
As always, there was the odd look, double takes and comments from fellow runners and spectators. One comment that I found really funny was from a young boy on the side of the road as I ran past him; "Hey, look that man is running with women shoes!" I actually caught myself LOL ! After that they must have really thought I was crazy . You must admit, the sandals look like those "gladiator-type" sandals women are wearing these days.
I started the race from the back because we have three girls in the family (no need to explain this right? ) and I forgot about the toilet part before the race and actually lost a bit of time there too . I reached the start line just as the (second) last person crossed it. As I made my way through the masses, I was grateful to meet a few of my friends/colleagues along the way and had a chat just so I couldn't start off too quick.
Besides having to run without a "rhythm buddy" the whole race, I felt really good. The only time I had some company was when someone wanted to chat to me about how crazy I am running in sandals and then having to drop back because they cannot handle my pace or they don't have anything else to say . The only thing I tell them is: “Well, I've made it this far in them!”
I'm glad that I could just stick to my plan to just finish the race in under two hours and most importantly, completing it running in sandals/huaraches!!
My next race is the Helderberg Mountain Challenge - Extreme 24 Kmon 22 May 2011. I'm very tempted to do a sandal/huaraches run again but after the lesson I learned last August 2010, I think I'll be sticking to my weights for this one.
After all, I am Hybrid, right?