I can write so much about this great experience. For most readers that would be redundant as most road races and the feelings of ones first barefoot 1/2 marathon are probably similar.
The Surf City marathon and 1/2 are basically flat road courses including 5 miles of uninterrupted beautiful Southern California sandy beach. The half marathon stays on streets and the full adds a loop of the beach path for a even closer view of the beach. This was reported as a very barefoot friendly course by several members including local Guru Ken Bob, and it lived up to it in every way.
This was my first barefoot race and I was nervous. Although I ran my first 1/2 marathon in Long Beach, Ca a few months earlier in October, I ran that in minimalist shoes...LEMS primal. I was mostly nervous that I would hold up the whole race and not make barefoot running look bad by getting some problem that my imagination was conjuring up. These thoughts were so real in my self doubting mind that I even brought a pair of Xero shoes as back up in a hydration vest and I made a small patch kit so I would be able to make road side fixes and not embarrass myself at an aid station. I felt justified in my concern when two weeks before the race I got a blister on ball of my left foot as I moved to increase my asphalt running over the smoother sidewalk I had mostly trained on.
The predawn morning was cool, around low 50's with the day time expected to be in the mid 80s. A heat wave just move in to Southern California and paused our much talked about El Niño Winter. This was fine with my So Cal butt as I was dreading anything rainy and wet. My shod running buddy text me before he left his car "Tee shirt or tank top" (sorry cold weather runners our winter is two months of low 40s). The announcers were even reminding us of the extra water stations and warning of dehydration due to the heat.
What a crazy world we live in now that there are flying drones filming events like this.
My race went really well. I had a loose goal of improving my previous time of 2:24 and making it the whole way barefoot. I really felt confident in my goal of improving on my old time because I did just that when I ran 13 miles pushing my stroller and 100 % barefoot a month before the race on a training run. "But that was on smooth side walk" my pre race self would say. I heard very few comments about my barefootedness but I did notice many "looks", until I got about halfway. The comments, most very supportive, came almost continuously after the first 6 miles (10k).
I was not the only barefooter. I passed or saw two other official racers, one unofficial racer, that were 100% bare. I also saw several VibramFFS runners. I cheered as I passed or was passed by any minimalist or barefooter. Ken Bob, who I met up with later said he saw some wearing sandals, but I didn't see any while I was running, they all must have been way ahead of me.
I felt so strong and fast. Even at mile 13, I still had some left in my tank, which makes me think I should run a full marathon next. I did notice some automobile glass on a few of the intersection crossings as I was running on the White painted line towards the end. My feet felt great until mile 10. At point I felt my heals were starting to get raw, so I stuck more religiously to keeping on the white painted line. I finished at 2:04, dropped 15 minutes off my previous 1/2 marathon time and close to under 2 hours. I also ran 100% barefoot, never using my xero shoes or patch kit. Even better, I didn't even get a blister!
After a few beers at a local hotel bar, the beer garden was 30 minute wait to get in, I met up with Ken Bob and barefoot Michae. Ken Bob always/ mostly has a marathoner support station at mile 20-21. This is an awesome race if you ever get a chance. It is beautiful, fast and barefoot friendly.
