Just wrapped up running the Richmond Half. Great race, well organized, and great conditions. I've been agonizing over barefooting a course I've never prerun barefoot but braved it anyways. Goal pace was a 1:40, I hit a 1:42:40. Still a PR so I'm pleased. Tons of positive conversations. Put in some plugs for BRS to people making the transition. Didn't see any other barefooters out there but a few VFF's. Here's a recap of the race:
It was 39 degrees at the start and my feet felt like it. After a good mile, I was warmed up though and felt pretty good. The initial few miles I was running a 7:50 or so and started to fall into a good groove. Dropped the pace to hit my goal until we entered Bryan Park...ouch. The roads went from bad to flippin gravel, potholes and what seemed like 100 year old chip and seal. This lasted from mile 5ish to 8ish. My pace suffered had to scale back to an 8:30/40. We moved onto some really buttery smoothe roads from there with only a couple other rough spots the rest of the race. I was able to drop the pace to a 7:30ish and felt really comfortable but the damage had been done to my goal time. Over all though, really happy with how things went. Glad I did it barefoot and was able to overcome some rough terrain. No blisters, cuts, glass, dirty needles, or dog crap either
. Legs have never felt better. Good times with no shoes!
It was 39 degrees at the start and my feet felt like it. After a good mile, I was warmed up though and felt pretty good. The initial few miles I was running a 7:50 or so and started to fall into a good groove. Dropped the pace to hit my goal until we entered Bryan Park...ouch. The roads went from bad to flippin gravel, potholes and what seemed like 100 year old chip and seal. This lasted from mile 5ish to 8ish. My pace suffered had to scale back to an 8:30/40. We moved onto some really buttery smoothe roads from there with only a couple other rough spots the rest of the race. I was able to drop the pace to a 7:30ish and felt really comfortable but the damage had been done to my goal time. Over all though, really happy with how things went. Glad I did it barefoot and was able to overcome some rough terrain. No blisters, cuts, glass, dirty needles, or dog crap either
. Legs have never felt better. Good times with no shoes!
