I ran a 20k on labor day, time was 1:43:29. This was my third consecutive year running this race, second time barefoot. The first time I ran it i was shod, and that was the last time i ever wore running shoes.
Last year I ran it 1:33:27, but I was on a mission to beat my shod time, which I accomplished. I didn't really train for this race, in fact I didn't train at all, I ran a 10 miler 3 weeks before the race, I was out to have fun which I did. For the first time I decided to take it slow in the beginning, and see what would happen when I picked it up at the 6 mile mark. By mile 10 I was passing people with ease, it was very humid as well, and felt really strong and refreshed after the race.
There was about 3000 runners and I didn't see one barefoot runner, but I did see "barefoot running" shoes In fact some very strange minimal get-ups. I guess saucony has a minimal shoe that looks bizarre. I have ran about 10 barefoot races so far since I started running barefoot two years ago, and Connecticut still has not caught the wave yet. People are still shocked and in awe that I am running barefoot. I usually get some postive remarks, but at yesterdays race it was a bit strange. I had a few runners mock me, and some just sneer remarks, take the good with the bad.
Now back to the minimal runners, now I know why there is so many injuries. Every minimal runner I saw, had terrible form, the pounding was incredible, and frankly they look miserable running. I say forget barefoot running clinics, I think there needs to be minimal clinics.
Last year I ran it 1:33:27, but I was on a mission to beat my shod time, which I accomplished. I didn't really train for this race, in fact I didn't train at all, I ran a 10 miler 3 weeks before the race, I was out to have fun which I did. For the first time I decided to take it slow in the beginning, and see what would happen when I picked it up at the 6 mile mark. By mile 10 I was passing people with ease, it was very humid as well, and felt really strong and refreshed after the race.
There was about 3000 runners and I didn't see one barefoot runner, but I did see "barefoot running" shoes In fact some very strange minimal get-ups. I guess saucony has a minimal shoe that looks bizarre. I have ran about 10 barefoot races so far since I started running barefoot two years ago, and Connecticut still has not caught the wave yet. People are still shocked and in awe that I am running barefoot. I usually get some postive remarks, but at yesterdays race it was a bit strange. I had a few runners mock me, and some just sneer remarks, take the good with the bad.
Now back to the minimal runners, now I know why there is so many injuries. Every minimal runner I saw, had terrible form, the pounding was incredible, and frankly they look miserable running. I say forget barefoot running clinics, I think there needs to be minimal clinics.