Hey all, I just signed up for a 5 mile race on Oct. 30th here in Des Moines. There's nothing special about the event as far as barefooters go, but the course does run the same route (roughly) as our last meet up at Mullets here in Des Moines. This will be my first race as a barefooter. I did this one last year and hada good time. The race is limited to 1000 runners. Dogs and strollers are permitted (I will run with my German Shepherd Lambeau) and there is chocolate at the end. I just thought I'd put it out there and see if there are any other barefooters that want to take a local race by surprise. The link to registration is: https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=4789 Hope to see some of you there. Nate
Thanks Nate, I'm contemplating signing up for the Half Marathon in Des Moines this year. I'm running my first barefoot race in September in Marion which is a 5k. Evelia put the bug in my ear about the Des Moines race and I'm going to see how well I can keep up with a mileage plan to prepare for that. I'll keep this 5 mile race in mind too. Good luck with that!
Thanks for the shout out guys. My heart says do it! but my feet says don't! I ussually don't enter races that late because it's always cold and raining I can't run on cold weather. I have Morton's Neuromas and cold weather makes it very painful to run. I'll keep an eye on the weather though, the way this Summer is going we might have Summer like weather way into Winter. We'll see. Cheers! Dama
Bummer to hear but I understand. I've never been a barefooter in the cold so I don't know how my feet will react. Last year it was cool, but not cold, no rain at all, but who knows what it will be like this year. You gotta take care of yourself and you know yourself. Perhaps we can find some race next year that we can all ambush. Nate
Understood Dama. I'm sure that's something you don't want to risk aggrevating. I'm a bit concerned about pavement temperatures myself but it does sound like something I need to get under my belt before the year is out... then plan on a fully marathon next year. Not sure how to stay trained for that over the winter but I am sure I'll find lots of good support and guidance from the barefoot community
My advice for the Des Moines marathon or any late fall races is to wear socks and flip flops until about a minute before the race starts and then toss them to the side. It really helped me during last years marathon. Its hard to warm those feet back up but mine never had a chance to become icicles since I left on the socks and shoes to protect from the cold road until I got moving. Sounds like a fun race!
Thanks Angie, I saw that in your blog and appreciate the reminder. I won't be able to do the late October race as I'll be tied up at work that weekend but unless my training goes haywire, I'm going to give the half mary a go.
