Should I use footwear in a 5K?

janson

Barefooters
Sep 21, 2011
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133
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I'm running a 5K this weekend, which will be my first since taking up barefoot running. I ran this one last year, and the last 1/4 mile or so is dirt and gravel. I'm trying to decide if I should wear anything or not. I'm perfectly comfortable running barefoot on the asphalt that most of the race is, but not so confident about the gravel, especially since it is at the end. The options I am considering are:



Wear my Run Amoc's for the whole race.

Carry my Run Amoc's and slip them on before the gravel.

Try out my homemade Huraches (so far i've only run 1/4 mile total on them).

Just go for it barefoot the whole way.



Any suggestions?
 
Me myself I would carry the

Me myself I would carry the Run Amocs with me and IF I needed them during the gravel stretch then would slip them on. It's up to you and if you want to take the chance of having to stop to put on the footwear. I would also probably not use the new homemade huaraches as they are still untested basically and it would be a shame to have them break or have other problems such as getting the laces tight enough, loose enough, etc...
 
I'd do it barefoot. Since

I'd do it barefoot. Since it's your first barefoot race I wouldn't be so much worried about time rather just finishing it. I'ts only 1/4 mile. Think of it as training. There is nothing better to force you to have good form than gravel. I just couldn't see stopping to put some shoes on 1/4 mile from the finish line.
 
Definitaly all barefoot,

Definitaly all barefoot, that's my personal outlook though. It's something new and a challenge, running it shod you will know the outcome, barefoot brings more excitement to the race. You will reach another level as well in your barefoot running achievements.
 
I vote with the barefoot

I vote with the barefoot folks!

You will slow down for the nasty bit but you would loose time to put something on your feet. It will be worth it for the feeling of acomplishment.
 
If the gravel is doable, then

If the gravel is doable, then consider barefoot all the way, but if you think you'll have trouble with the asphalt, then carry some footwear and throw it on when needed. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
 
Thanks for the advice.  I

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll go for it (might carry the Run Amocs just in case)! Now hopefully my wife will let me buy a fred flinstone costume to run in!
 
Check out the course before

Check out the course before hand by walking it backwards for a mile or so. Get there early if you have to. If there is grass on the shoulder of the gravel, there is your out if it gets too rough on you. If you have time, try some bucket training, or log some miles on gravel. Either way, have fun! Let us know how it goes!

-Jonny
 
i never pay enough attention.

i never pay enough attention. did you say you're in the tri cities? a few of us are doing the run like hell here in ptown on sunday. most dressing as zombie for the theme this year. i have yet to finish my costume but only require a few pieces.

you'll find adrenaline in a race can push you faster than you're used to. if you've ever run leif erickson in forest park you may understand. i don't like running down it and was "encouraged" by paraganek the past two weeks to do it. it's a place where i last went down it with him that i wound up walking because of a sore foot. well, when i've raced down it, it was so much easier. it was a mental barrier more than anything and i knew i needed to get over it.

point being, you can do more than usual in a race. just don't ignore your body.



Mike
 
Yep Mike, I'm in the

Yep Mike, I'm in the Tri-Cities. Thats kinda what I was thinking, I just wish the gravel was closer to the begining, rather than the end, but oh well, I'm sure I can survivie it. I just ordered a Fred Flinstone costume to run it in too. Also, I've got a sister down in portland, so I plan to make it down there for a race sometime.
 
Walk a mile backwards. 

Walk a mile backwards. Hmmmm.
 
Barefoot TJ wrote:Walk a

Barefoot TJ said:
Walk a mile backwards. Hmmmm.

LOL...noooo...walk the course backwards, so you can see what the finish looks like before hand.(a tip from Jeff Galloway's book.) I can't tell you how many times I've thought I was almost to the end, kicked it up a gear too soon and gassed before the finish line. This way, you know what to expect and where to give it the gas. In his case, where the gravel is and how it all looks. You can also use it as a warm up.

-Jonny
 
Just giving you a hard time,

Just giving you a hard time, Jonny! :)
 
I've done both BF and VFF

I've done both BF and VFF 5K's over the last year with the BF run the most recent. You'll be a haappy camper either way but will certainly feel like you've passed a milestone (or 5k stone) if you go BF. Let the course tell you what to wear.

I do tend to agree with the majority saying "GO BF!" It is only a little ways and you will be pumped on adrenalin. I really can't believe you'd wantto stop and don foot apparel with the d*mn finish gate in sight!

Have fun in either case!
 
I did the whole thing

I did the whole thing barefoot! Not only that I got a new PR for a 5K at around 31:45, and that even included a little bit of walking. I was also a finalist in the costume contest.

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This is sprinting past a couple people at the finish

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Running with my daughter in the 1/4 mile kids race.
 
Jason, that is a precious

Jason, that is a precious picture of you and your daughter! Great memories. I love your costume! How did that dirt road in the first picture feel? Congrats on your first barefoot 5K!

Nick, how did you do today?
 
The dirt actually felt great,

The dirt actually felt great, most of it was sand. I did hit a couple goatheads, but theysunk into the sand more than sticking into me...