X-Dog Mt. Hood Scramble

Mt. Hood Scramble: The Grandfather of Filth
By Paraganek


A few words from the organizer:

This event isn't designed for the pansy-ass front avenue runner -- DO NOT expect some cutesy lil' downtown 5k, or some wussy boy trail-run. This mother is packed with adventure: hills, creeks, rock, dirt, heavy brush and more. Wear clothes you don't mind ruining, and bring band-aids if you are concerned about some bleeding. As for aid stations... there is plenty of water on the course, but I'd think twice about drinking it... especially after you waded through it. As for the distance, well it’s about 6-miles or whatever "K". We'll time you, give you awards, probably some watermelon, and hell, we may even throw a few beers -- all you have to do is finish. Think you’re up for it? We are ready for you, and to quote Shakespeare’s Henry V, "he who shed his blood with me, shall be my brother" See you on the hill.

The most challenging terrain I have run barefoot on so far. It was brutal. Hit a tough luck at mile 3 after sliding on a rock and losing some plantar skin. Could not finish but still had my fun. Planning to tackle it all next year :cool:

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whoa Dan, you didn't finish and called this the toughest terrain you've faced? i think we all have a new course to challenge us for a few years.
 
whoa Dan, you didn't finish and called this the toughest terrain you've faced? i think we all have a new course to challenge us for a few years.

It is a tough beast for sure. But I will conquer it next year. :hungry:
I am just following Stomper's plan from a couple years ago to run (and finish ;) ) all X-Dog races barefoot.
 
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Incredible barefoot run, like running on the moon...

Also Very specific bracelet!
 
Given that you've run on a lot of challenging terrain, do you have any ideas on how you 'll prepare? I mean, you've posted videos of running on just about everything, so I too was surprised that you were unable to finish (I'm asking so I can get an idea of what to do in a similar situation).
 
Given that you've run on a lot of challenging terrain, do you have any ideas on how you 'll prepare? I mean, you've posted videos of running on just about everything, so I too was surprised that you were unable to finish (I'm asking so I can get an idea of what to do in a similar situation).


I already feel prepared. The only thing I am going to do "differently" is I will not let my guard down this time.

The injury during the race happened when running downhill on a really technical section.
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I felt I needed to slow down, shorten my stride, increase the cadence and pay more attention to the rocks and my foot placement.
Instead I started chatting with a nice girl running next to me, not looking in front of me, trying to keep up with her.
I did the opposite of what a barefoot runner is supposed to do on such a terrain.
I extended my stride, started jumping forward and paid for that dearly.
In the next moment I landed hard on a rough piece of rock with the full body weight on my left foot.
With my body out of balance the ball of the foot slid on the rock sideways ripping a piece of skin off along the way.
I recovered quickly and kept running. The first couple of seconds I did not feel anything wrong. Just a dull pain fading away.
After a couple of steps I felt my sole getting wet and I knew something was bad.
Stopped to check the damage, big piece of plantar skin missing, blood gushing out, sharp stabbing pain.
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I could not imagine to keep running on that nasty glacial till with a wound like that and gave up.
Took my VFFs out of my pack and put those on to stop the bleeding. Walked back to the car.

Moral of the story:
Stick to your time-proven running style and stop chasing hot chicks :D

Next time I will also pack my BarePadz (just in case ;))
 
Thank you. It's great to get info from an experienced (and I would say fairly accomplished) barefoot runner whenever possible, so thanks again.

No problem.

I just go by a great advice from Ken Bob:
"There are few, if any, non-barefoot friendly terrains.
There are some terrains that are only friendly to the best running techniques while barefoot.
It is terrain like this, where we learn the most.

Ken Bob Saxton"
 
No problem.

I just go by a great advice from Ken Bob:
"There are few, if any, non-barefoot friendly terrains.
There are some terrains that are only friendly to the best running techniques while barefoot.
It is terrain like this, where we learn the most.

Ken Bob Saxton"


Ahhh... Great words from the sensei. So true. So true.