Barefoot Test Next Monday (7/12/10)

On Sunday, I ran the Peoria Jaycee's Firecracker 5k.  The run felt very good barefoot and I was happy with my time (19:47 or 6:23 pace).  I scored a 3rd place age group medal.  It was humid and I always wilt a bit in these conditions.  Here's a picture.

Next Monday Big Dog Greg is having me do a barefoot test.  It's a series; 4x2 mile repeats barefoot and shod.   The workout is 1 mile warmup.  Then the first 2 mile set shod at 6:10-6:20 pace.  Check my average and max hr.  Do a full recovery, then second 2 miles on same course barefoot keeping my HR at the same level as with shoes (run by HR not by pace).  Next interval I run 2 mile course with shoes at the same HR as before.  Finally, do 2 miles as fast as I can barefoot (time trial).  This test will yield my barefoot paces and the difference between my shod and unshod paces at this point in my transition.  It should allow Greg to see how much natural fade and unshod fade (indicative of fitness) that is also a variable.  I'll keep you all posted on the results.

Sunday's Workouts - Whew!

After Canton on Saturday I wasn't sure how well I'd hold up. My plan was to run 12 miles barefoot and then head over to Ken Becklers place to meet up with him. Shev had a 6 hour century ride and was going to swing by and pick us up at the 3 hour mark. The day was textbook gorgeous. About 65 degrees and no wind in the morning with it slowly warming to about 85. My pigs were a bit tender but I decided to try them out. I knew right away it was going to be painful but decided to just take it easy and go till I couldn't anymore then switch to the Vibram ff's. Again Bootz street is the worst part of the run. The road is so gnarley. I try to jump up on the sidewalk but it's usually not a lot better than the road. Lots of broken glass and uneven concrete. I made it to the tower and worked the sidewalk along Prospect toward the turn around at Junction City. I kept it up till the 9.5 mile mark and decided to put the monkey feet on. I still had a lot to do. I ended up finishing the 12 miles and headed over to One World for a waffle! That definitely help make me feel better then it was off to Ken's. Ken was getting his bike set up. We had about 25 minutes to kill so I got my junk ready and got an espresso. The ride went really well. Thankfully Shev had enough fight out of her I was able to hang in there. I headed over to Mom and Dads to pick up the kids and grab some lunch. Man, I was beat but overall a good day of fitness. I slept really well.