Registration opened for March Madness, the horrendously hilly 1/2 marathon I’ve done every late winter now for 3 years and counting. It’s small and bare-bones swag wise: a field of 1000, no medals, a shirt for the first 200 only, and weather that has not exceeded 24 degrees but it’s allure has grown exponentially. Last year it sold out in 27 hours. This year registration closed in just 2 hours. I was among the lucky ones, alas many of my compadres were not. Life is tough. Do you have any wildly popular races scheduled for 2010?
Week 1 Boston Training complete: 35 miles
It’s cold around here. Really cold. I was stalling this morning, hoping the mercury would climb above zero when Modern Caveman in his infinite wisdom said “It’s too dangerous out there.” He’s right I suppose so I stalled a bit more before heading to the deadmill. It would be good ‘brain training’ afterall. Ha.
Then MC plants this little gem: “Why don’t you run some of it barefoot?” Caveman that he is, he’s been touting the whole barefoot movement, Born to Run, find your natural running form concept for some time now.
Foreshadowing: DON’T TRY THIS!
So what the hey, I figured I’d give it a try and run the first mile or 5 barefooted. It’s good to keep an open mind right? I set up my water, electronic distractions, amuse bouche Honey Stinger Chews and I was on my way.
At first I felt light and fast, although I could definitely feel the ‘tread’ on the mill.
I listed from the center (warm) over to the edges of the belt (cooler) and back.
Then I got crazy and did a little grapevine
Then a bit of a jazz square
At 3/4 of a mile my right big toe started mumbling so I stopped, put my shoes and socks on and ran the conventional way.
So…
1 episode of Barefoot Contessa mixed with Meet the Press on the commercials
thinking I should really get off to pee
2 podcasts
thinking I should hop off and do some bicep curls, maybe some lunges too
A ballet exhibition compliments of Thing 2
thinking I really should reorganize the linen closet
a brief recorder serenade compliments of Thing 1
thinking I should commit Hari Kari
and finally some Spanish guitar music featuring plenty of clapping because Lord knows I needed all the applause I could get to make it through the last mile
and I was finito.
Epilogue: The entire bottom of my big toe blew up into one hellacious, pillowy blister.
MC’s priceless response: “Oh you ran totally barefoot? You should have worn socks.”
Moral of the story: Sometimes, due to my imbicilic wisdom, running out in the sub-z is better than risking life and big toe on the mill.
Hmm, I've never thought about running barefoot on the treadmill but with arches like mine I'm sure my feet would hate me for it. Sorry about your toe. 🙁
Your treadmill entertainment sounds much like mine but instead of a ballerina I usually get a superhero's foam sword stuck in my side. Gotta love the kids being close by!
I don't know of any local races that sell out in 2 hrs but there are some really popular halfs (halves?) around here that you can guarantee won't have race day entry. Good for you for being among the lucky!
i would think that my feet would get really hot / burn from all the friction caused on the tread and i'd be afraid that my entire foot would blow up into a big blister!
there's a half up in vt that sells out in 25 minutes. i did it in 2008 and it was really fun but i haven't tried to get in lately. congrats on getting an entry to yours!
Wow – a half that fills up that quickly. Must be a fun time!
My husband always tries to give me running advice (he doesn't run), so I ignore him 🙂
I hope the toe feels better – there is no entertainment like that at my gym!
Ouch! for your big toe.
I think all hubbs try to offer running advise to their wives. It's coded into male DNA!
Treadmill distractions are a constant! "I can't hear you!", never seens to work.
I think it's better to have tried and sacrificed a big toe than to not have tried at all! Great job on week 1 of Boston training!
Your treadmill sideshows sound like mine. LOL!
Ouch, sorry about your toe
Hope that toe makes a quick recovery … not sure I would ever be brave enough to run barefoot!
Congrats on getting into that rather unappealing sounding half! I also don't think I would be brave enough to enter that race!
I am running the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in DC in April … got in on a lottery
Ouch! I can't imagine going barefoot on the treadmill.
I usually have at least one kid using the bed next to the treadmill as a trampoline, which leads me to believe that one of these days said kid will end up on the treadmill with me.
MCM Mama
I guess that is what its about. Trying new and exciting things. Thats what runners do all the time. Good luck on your next barefoot adventure if there is one. have a good one.
I've run an 800 on the track barefoot and that's it. I ran it in my socks because I don't like the feeling of rocks(even little) under my feet. My socks have an orange tint to them now.
Oh gosh. I have heard horror stories about running barefoot on the treadmill! As tempting as it is, I don't think I will ever try it.
I would have liked to do that half. Is it in Crystal Lake? Or am I thinking of a different Hillstriders?
Congrats on your first week of training! 35! WOW!