Sunday was wet and breezy and that was great. 11,600 people ran and 900 lost their timing chips in the rain – including a friend of ours and he finished in 1:28, so I hope they can give him an official time from the photographs crossing the line.
How did I do? Well I survived and with no injuries at all. 13 miles on hard roads and cobbles in off road shoes and it was the fastest Half Marathon I have run, and I put it all down to barefoot/forefoot running.
I crossed the line at 1:32 and apart from some stiffness in my upper quads from the effort I put in, and some tightness in my lower calves, which I think is from so much ‘bouncing’ on the forefoot, I feel very well.
Since changing my running style I believe I am running much faster and am able to adapt my running style and pace with my greater awareness and control.
It’s going to be a while before I am running anywhere like this distance barefoot – the tissues of my feet just need time to get used to it, but I am thrilled that the rest of my anatomy is beginning to thrive on the change of emphasis in this mode of locomotion.
So will I shed my shoes for Bristol Half Marathon 2011? Let’s see…
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