Heart Breaker Half Marathon

Cold February Sunday morning, 6 AM.

Hot shower, banana and some water.

The usual pre-race ritual.

Rolling calves on my water bottle. Spreading a little Vaseline on my feet, putting ankle warmers on and heading out, barefoot.

It is brisk outside, a windy 35 degrees.

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Heart Breaker Half Marathon story

About a year ago, first week in January 2011, I signed up for the traditional Portland's winter half marathon - Heart Breaker Half. I was feeling great, ready for my first half.

That was week 26 of my transition to barefoot running and I ran 35 miles in it.

Too much.

Too soon.

My right fibula did not like the pressure and cracked. Stress fracture just six weeks before the race. That reminded me I was still in my early transition to barefoot running and to take things slowly. The dream of running a half marathon did not happen at that time.

A year has passed.

I got stronger. Faster too. Somehow lost interest in running on pavement anymore. Have been running mostly trails.  A trail freak - some friends call me. Ran my first trail half marathon last year in July and did pretty good.

However a road half marathon is still somewhere on my list.

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6:55 AM

All this is in my head as I am walking slowly to the race registration booth feeling the cold pavement under my feet. Sun is still down but it is getting lighter outside. Downtown streets are calm and quiet and the only busy area is around the World Trade Center where the race starts.

Lately I have been feeling really good on my runs. It feels like I finally got over all the growing pains in my transition so last night I decided to grab the opportunity. I am going to find out how a road half marathon tastes like and run it today.

I strap my Five Fingers to my arms as emergency shoes and I am ready to roll.

7:30 AM sharp and off we go. A pack of about 500 runners slowly spreading out. I start somewhere in the middle. 35 F. It is cold but the pavement is dry so feet will warm up in no time. It is the perfect running weather.

At the start

Mile 1 to 5

All flat. I am quite familiar with this section. I have run it twice before at 10k races so I know what to expect and where. There are some rough pavement areas so I occasionally stick to the nice, soft, painted line saving feet for later. At one aid station they are offering fresh strawberries which is nice so I grab one and save it for later too. You never know.

Mile 5 to 10

Climbing up 600 feet. At the beginning I quickly eat my strawberry convincing myself the fructose rush is going to help me to conquer the hill. The placebo effect works its magic. I am really enjoying running uphill. All 5 miles I keep passing the runners in front of me.

Mile 10 to 13

Fast downhill all the way to the finish line. Pavement, pavement and more pavement. My feet get bored and I have to find a way how to entertain them somehow to compensate for the missing trail elements (mud, sharp rocks, slugs). I start running on raised curbs wherever possible trying to keep balance as long as I can and when that is not enough I run zigzagging the road. It is nice to have some fun on a run.

Finishing

Strawberry is long time gone but adrenaline still works so let's sprint to the finish line.
Done.
My time right under to hours is about the same I had on my trail half marathon but the feeling is different. 6 months ago after finishing the trail race I had to massage and roll my calves heavily to deal with cramping and balls of my feet were sore for the rest of the day.

Today I feel great. So great I go playing soccer right afterwards. This is the way running should be. Easy, comfortable, relaxed and FUN !

Hopefully I inspired some people :-)

Race stats:

Distance  13.1 miles

Time  1:57:09

Pace   8:56

Placed   23 / 39 in my AG

            182 / 464 overall

Course map

Aerial photo

Course profile

Sole conditioning at 18 months

Sometimes the human body adaptation still amazes me.

I have been running barefoot for 18 months now. Although I started on pavement, last 12 months my runs were primarily on forest trails. I have been experiencing some changes to my feet along the way, mainly spreading of the toes, loosening and flexibility of the toes and a wider, more muscular foot.

I thought it would be interesting to do a sole conditioning photo comparison so I went through some old photos I took early after starting running barefoot. I found one I took at about 1 month and tried to shoot a new one from about the same angle.

This is a sole conditioning comparison of my foot at about 1 months and 18 months of running barefoot. I think it is pretty interesting to see the adaptation capabilities of a human body.

Ubertons Resolution Run 2012

Saturday 10 AM, Cook park, Tigard, OR

My first race this year. In addition to the usual pre-race excitement I am also really happy my wife Zdenka and my son Lukas (6) are joining me today. Lukas really wants to run the Kid's race today and Zdenka agreed to work as a support team.
Weather is looking good, around 50F, ground is soaked and wet after the last night's rain and sun is occasionally peeking through the grey cloud cover.

It has been raining solid for the whole past week. Nothing unusual for our west of Cascades region this time a year but rivers are already overflowing.

Barefoot and minimalist runner

This trail race was originally planned in a beautiful Champoeg State Park but because that area is now flooded, Ubertons moved it to this small city park at the very last moment.

I have never been here before and after seeing a nice smooth concrete trail weaving through the trees I am really hoping there is going to be some nice dirt trail section as well. Running on a smooth pavement in not my idea of a trail race.

The rest of our Barefoot Runners Society team is showing up. There is Jennifer, Kevin with his little one in a stroller and Jim.

Our whole group, only Kevin is missing in this shot

The organizers are announcing a "big dangerous slippery mud covered hill" on the course. After seeing the well maintained trail I take that warning with a grain of salt but having "better safe than sorry" in mind I clip my Vibrams on my forearms just in case and head to the start.

There are not that many runners around. About 100 people altogether, half going for 5k and half for 10k. The course is just 5k so the second group is running it twice.

Our barefoot/minimalist team starts last. We have nowhere to rush. Everyone just wants to enjoy the run. I have no plans to beat my 10k PR today. Although I feel really good and strong, my left fibula spot above ankle has been acting up on some recent runs so I will only gun it if it behaves today.

And off we go - Kevin with stroller, Jim, myself and Jen

After a quick warm up I feel like speeding up a little. It takes me the whole 3 miles to completely relax and settle into the right form. Sadly there is no dirt or gravel on the course. The "big dangerous slippery muddy covered hill" is a joke. There is however a good number of nicely sized puddles on the trail and I make sure I do not miss the joy of splashing through all of them. I realize my Vibrams work just as weights on my arms so I throw them out when starting on my second loop.

Throwing shoes out

The next three miles are great. I feel fast and relaxed. Aiming for the puddles second time, having a blast. When sprinting to the Finish line, Lukas is cheering me up in his Five Fingers anxious to run his Kid's race next.

49 minutes gone and feeling good !

Jen and Jim in Vibrams show up soon and Kevin gets a big applause finishing 5k pushing his stroller all the way to the finish at solid 9:42 pace.

At Mile 5

Joining Lukas at his 1k Kid's race

Since there are almost no kids participating in the Kid's 1k, Lukas takes home the gold medal which he is pretty happy with.

The rain starts at the perfect time, right when everyone is heading home. A good lunch with a good company is in order, time to plan some more group runs together.

Jim, Kevin and Jen

Barefoot Runners Society Oregon chapter is getting bigger and stronger !

Race stats:

Length: 10k

Time: 00:49:08

Pace: 07:55 

Placed: 8 overall (of 52), 2 in my AG (of 12)

Run Like Hell! 10k

Run Like Hell! Portland

The last week in October. The days here in Pacific NW are already short, cold and rainy. It is the perfect time for a hellish race like Run Like Hell.

Run Like Hell is a Halloween-themed race that sees participants dress out in full costume for a run through Portland’s urban parks and along its waterfront areas along the Willamette River. Run Like Hell has become a Portland Fall tradition. This year the theme of the race is zombies.

This race is very special to me. I ran it first a year ago and it was my very first race ever. And first one barefoot too. I was running in a Hawaiian man costume, it was raining and I had a blast.

Run Like Hell 2010 

Today it looks like it is going to be a bit chilly but nice sunny day. I feel good a ready for a strong run but this was not the case some two weeks ago. I pulled my calf muscle and it took me well over two weeks to get rid of it. On some recent runs my right calf has been still acting up and I am hoping today it is going to stay calm.

I pick the 10k distance again and my plan is to enjoy the run and - if the stars are right - beat my last year's time of 48:33 minutes. For a costume I need something very light that allows bare feet. Since last year's Hawaiian man worked very well I choose to do a couple of alternations and improvements and go as a Hawaiian dancer this time.

And the best part at the end - I am not going to be a lone barefooter this year, Mike as a "zombie killer" is running too.

Warm-up hula dance before the race

8 AM, 52 F.

20 minutes to start.

Waiting for the "zombie killer" to show up but he is nowhere to be seen.

10 minutes to start Mike calls me he is on his way. That's a good news I guess.

But I am getting cold fast. My grass skirt is not generating as much heat as I was hoping for.

Finally I hear the starting horn blasting from a distance so I start running towards the start line leaving Mike to his own destiny.

Really glad to be moving. The start line is a little chaotic but once the crowd gets moving, my feet are happy. I do not bother starting slow. I feel a strong urge to run like hell so I just go for it. The adrenaline works its magic, I feel great, really light and unbreakable.

Because of the "end of the pack" starting position I just keep passing runners the whole time which also adds some motivation. People around are cheering "Go Hawaiian!" and sun finally wakes up and starts to shine.

As expected the grass skirt is ventilating very well which unfortunately is not the case of my heavy wig. Sweating heavily.

But finish is in sight. I save some energy for the last 300 feet of fast sprinting and it's over. So soon, I feel like running more.

I check the time and feel some accomplishment. 40 seconds faster than last year and what a blast !

Finishing the race

I am pretty sure Mike eventually made it to the start so I am waiting and cheering up the incoming zombies. And sure enough after a while there is a barefoot "zombie killer" with a happy face approaching the finish line.

We get together and head down to the post race refreshments at waterfront. Jen with her husband from the 5k division join us and we have much to celebrate with a couple of good beers.

It was a good day today.

Myself after the race

Mike the "zombie killer"

Race stats:

Length: 10k

Time:  00:47:51 (Pace 07:42)

Placed: 15th (from 65) in my AG
             137 (from 1424) overall

Race course

Wildwood Trail Trial 10k race

Monday Labor Day.

8:00 AM

I arrive to Josh's house filled with the usual pre-race excitement.

He is already stepping outside barefoot and more than ready to taste the trail today. While waiting for our last comrade he offers me a shot of his special Chia seeds cocktail. This is the first time I am trying it and it tastes quite good.

Mike arrives so the team is ready and off we go.

We park the car near the finish line and start waiting in a long line for a shuttle to move us uphill to the starting point. It is still cold. Mike pulls up a thermos with a hot tea. It feels good.

We catch a couple of curious looks at our bare feet from a group of runners waiting in front of us.

One gets the courage: “You guys know what the trail looks like right ?”

- - -

The Wildwood Trail again.
Oh yes.
We know it more that one would think.

In the past month I ran 48 miles on it and I feel really good today. It is going to be mostly downhill so we should be flying ! Spirits are high.

The organizer - Oregon Road Runners Club - picked a great course:

"...packed earth trail with many turns. Mostly good surface but with some rocks, roots, and occasional slugs. A 650’ elevation loss in the first 5.7 miles and a 200’ climb in the last half mile. Participants start in 1 to 2 minute intervals, from 8:30 to 11:30 am, in heats of 4 or fewer."

9:30 AM

A beautiful morning forest with sun peaking through the dense canopy. The air is fresh and warming up. Four of us line up on narrow fire lane road.

Josh starts with a wild shout. Him and Mike take no time to warm up and start rolling down the hill right away. I stay behind but not for long. After 4 curves I catch up with Mike and we run and chat together for a while.
Josh is nowhere to be seen which is not unexpected. I decide to go after him. I know how fast he is but it is worth trying.

Soon I start passing some runners from the earlier starting waves.

I feel fast but comfortable and relaxed. The perfect form. The perfect day. Heel pain from the last week is gone.

I reach the lowest point of the course all alone and start running along a creek.

The trail changes to a rocky more technical section.

I am slowly giving up on the idea of actually seeing Josh's back again at the race today. 

Soon enough I register a runner behind approaching with a steady pace. It is only a half a mile to the finish line but all uphill now. 200' vertical climb zig zagging a steep stream bank.

"No way he is going to pass me here on the way up." No idea where that is coming from.

I start pushing more. Passing runners in front who just started walking up. My lungs are on fire and I am rapidly losing power in my legs but still keeping the distance between us.

Last curve and the finish line. I have no energy left for sprinting so I finish nice and relaxed with a feeling of pure enjoyment after a great race.

Me finishing

Josh finishing

Mike finishing

Race stats:

Length: 10k

Elevation change: 650’ elevation loss and a 200’ climb

Time:  00:47:48 (Pace 07:43)

Placed: 35 (from 260) overall and 5th (from 44) in my AG

Race course

Wildwood Trail Trial Ortho

Wildwood Trail Trial Aerial View

Wildwood Trail Trial Profile

Stride analysis video

When camping in Gifford Pinchot National Forest (WA) I run 6 miles out and back on an old chip seal forest road.

Rough chip seal

Running at the base of Mt. Adams

The surface is quite rough and it slows me down a little. I climb 400 feet up, turn back and I quickly find out running on chip seal is worse downhill.

After the run I shoot some footage of my current form.

After analyzing it later I find out my right foot turns outwards far more than the left and the recovery pull from the floor is much higher on one side than the other. Clearly something is out of balance.

My feet are sore half a day after the run but I feel the soles getting stronger. It will only get better next time.

Wildwood trail Half marathon

It is the evening before the race. I am with my family and we drive to a small cabin in the mountains. Before I go to bed I remember to get up early tomorrow for the race.

In the morning I leave the cabin and start walking over some hills to the car. Snow appears. More and more snow around me on the ground. I start worrying. When I get to the car it is buried half way under the snow. There is a couple of feet of snow on the mountain road. I start panicking. There is no way I can get to the race in the next half an hour left to the start.

- - -

I open my eyes. Check the clock. 5:30 AM. Big relief.

Just a bad dream.

Yes, I am really excited about this race so it is probably I can hardly sleep. It is my very first Half Marathon and it is on a Trail. On a trail I know very well. My favorite trail.

I feel really good today. Well rested and strong. My last training run was just two days ago on the same trail, I did 6 miles and felt pretty comfortable going more.

There is only one thing that worries me a little. For the past 4 weeks there has been a sensitive spot on my lower left fibula. Just above the ankle. I can run with it, there is no pain. It only hurts when I push directly on it. I have no idea what it is but if it does not get worse after today's run I guess I will just forget about it.

6:30 AM

I have a banana as a main course and for an appetizer I pick a granola bar with Chia seeds and leave the quiet house with my wife and son still sleeping.

Excited before the race

I meet my friend Travis at the park where the race starts. He is running the 10k route today.

The two of us are the only barefoot runners here.

"You are going to win the half marathon barefoot division today" he is joking.

As if there were such a thing :-D

The little Macleay park is packed. There are about 360 runners, 170 for the half, 80 doing the full marathon and the rest for the 10k. Everyone stretching, tuning MP3 players, filling water bottles and camel bags.
I have decided to run this one very light so I am taking nothing with me. No water, no food, no emergency shoes.

8 AM
I start somewhere towards the end of a huge pack of runners in no hurry.

Full and half marathon runners start together

Mile 1

Familiar rocky trail along Balch creek.

The group is still dense and the pace is slow. Warming up.

Mile 2

First climb up. Most runners in front of me slow down. I can finally start passing and move forward.
I can feel my spot on the left fibula but there is no pain.

Mile 3

Steeper and longer uphill. My strong point. I feel like my feet are on springs. I pass a bunch of runners.

Mile 4

Still climbing but more gently on rolling terrain. Running alone for a while, then I catch up with a small group of four runners and stick to them. The discomfort on my fibula is gone. I feel relaxed and in a great shape.

Running at mile 4

Mile 5

Still at the tail of the group. The trail changes to a wider firelane forest road. When uphill I pass all four runners and take the lead.

Mile 6

Aid station and the turn around. I only grab a cup of water and keep running. The uphill part is behind us. Now it is only going to be downhill.

Running on Firelane road

Mile 7

I am being closely followed by one guy from the previous group. I am trying to shake him off but he is still glued to me. I am running really fast right now. Reaching my limit.

Mile 8

It is just two of us running fast down through the forest. I am running completely silent with high cadence but I keep hearing the slow slapping from behind. Slap, slap, slap...

I sure feel sorry for his knees.

Mile 9

We catch up with a group of two girls and stay behind for a while. Slower pace refreshes my energy so I accelerate again and shoot forward.

Mile 10

My legs start feeling heavy. I am running too fast. I concentrate on the form trying to relax with bent knees even more.

I think about what Jason Robillard says in his Barefoot running book:

"A necklace around your neck should not bounce up and down when running barefoot."

It is helping. I slow down a little. The guy from behind finally passes me.

Mile 11

I am running alone again. Long and fast downhill. Some 5 weeks ago running a training 12 miler my knees started to lock up right at this spot to the point I had to stop and walk for a short time. Since then I have learned a lot about running downhills. I am flying down this time.

Mile 12

Back down on the rocky Balch creek trail. Two girls close in from behind.

“How can you handle all these rocks ? Your feet are probably used to it.” the closer one starts a conversation.

I convince her it is not as bad as it looks. They both pass me some 500 feet before the finish. I stay right behind them. The end is not yet.

Mile 13

Last 150 feet to the finish line. The trail changes to a nice paved path through the park. Now or never.

I start sprinting. A surge of energy. For a second all three of us running next to each other. I do not feel my feet touching the ground anymore. I feel like flying. Then I see no one next to me and hit the finish line at exactly 1 hour 57 minutes. Adrenaline rush. High, intoxicating feeling.

When I check later my Garmin reports 4:50 pace for the last 150 feet.

I grab some water and start walking. Calves are quickly becoming really tight. Almost to the point of cramping. I roll them out on a water bottle and go get some more goodies from the tent.

Summary:

Awesome race.
The discomfort on my left fibula is gone.
Feet all in one piece, no scrapes, no cuts. The front pads are quite tender but amazingly that tenderness goes away in the next two hours.
Just 5 sticky spots from smashed slugs. Sorry guys.

Happy after the race (the brown on the feet is not tan but dust from the trail)

Race stats:

Length: 13.1 miles

Elevation change: 925 ft.

Time: 1:57:33 (Pace 08:31)

Placed: 20th from 170 overall

Race course

Aerial map

Course profile