2010 Southport CT. 5 mile Turkey Trot RR

Barefoot Gentile

Barefooters
Apr 5, 2010
1,947
1,226
113
53
Fairfield, CT
I think this was my 13th consecutive year running this annual turkey trot, and my second year running it barefoot. My sister and I usually run this race together, it’s tradition. This year my sister didn’t run, she has been extremely busy with her infant twins, and just wasn’t ready. So I decided to go for a good time.

I got 2 hours of sleep the night before the race, my little boy is sick and was up all night. I wake up at 6:30am suprisingly feeling pretty good, because my adrenaline was pumping. I initialy was going to wear my running tights, but changed in the car to my running shorts, it was 30 degrees at race time, so pretty warm and decided to ditch the tights. I have been wearing shorts for the past few weeks in the cold, and like it better so far. I wore socks while I walked to the starting line, and while waiting, they did help.

There was a total 3980 people running this race, the first two miles were a bit frustrating. It was a constant battle of filtering through people. The first mile was at a 9:10 pace, not good at all! After mile 2, I finally had more run to settling in to the pace I wanted.

My time was 36:55, pace 7:23. Was 413 out of 3980. Somewhat happy with my time but could have done better, next time I need to line up way in the front to avoid the mess in the beginning. But next year it’s back to a casual run, because my sister will be back, which is all good with me!
 
That's a great time there,

That's a great time there, Adam. Maybe all we barefoot runners need is a pair of socks before the race to keep our feet warm enought to go. I've advised this before but have not had the opportunity to try it out.
 
It was my first time trying

It was my first time trying it as well, and it totally worked. I wore just regular socks, but I would even go as far as buying nice thick wool socks for even colder temps while waiting for winter races.

I found another interesting warming technique by accident. Leaves! I was standing on the side of the road where everyone was lining up to start, I was in the grass and happen to just stand in a pile of leaves, they were up to my ankles, and I noticed right away how cozy it was on feet. This is of course dry leaves.
 
I was there too!  My feet

I was there too! My feet were so cold they went numb...they didn't warm up enough for me to feel them until mile 4. My husband bought me hand warmers to stick in my Vibrams while I waited for the race to start. I think I need to move to Miami.
 
We're planning on two weeks

We're planning on two weeks in FL around X-mas/New Years, and after reading that I'm sure anywhere near Dade county we would be subjected to warning crys from well meaning but mis-informed worryers.

Since we're driving, I think we'll just jump from Cocoa Beach straight to the Keys and leave Miami to the shodsters.