TravelCountry.com Barefoot 5K Fun Run

This past Saturday, 13 November, was the TravelCountry.com Barefoot 5K Fun Run to benefit the MD Anderson Cancer Center of Orlando, FL. The run was actually in Altamonte Springs. We had a great florida barefoot runners meetup and a blast at the race, overall more than 120 runners (however, only a few of us braved the acorn and shell ladened trails completely bare). I personally ran barefoot up until about the last 400 yds. The rocky trail got to be to much for me. Had to finish in VFFs. At the meetup were Steven (tao.of.gemini) from Saint Augustine and Phil(Quickbrick)from Jacksonville, both members of the BRS.

The morning started at 0745 with check in and Michael Sandler started his talk around 0815. At 0900 was a Runners Welcome by the race director and we started the run around 0930. The weather was cool and the sky was perfectly blue. Beautiful day for a barefoot run.

We started in the Sanlando Park parking lot. The pavement was a little rough for the completely unshod but nothing much to worry about. The VFF runners didn't seem to notice. We quickly moved on to a really nice flat concrete bike/running path. The only issue were acorns and acorn pieces. Those weren't a big deal though. Michael Sandler was running along chatting with various people as he jogged by them, giving advice and sharing what insights he could. The smooth pavement went on for maybe a mile then we ran across the lovely manicured grass of some baseball fields. This course was extremely varied. The neat thing to see was the race staff had clearly identified hazards to barefoot runners by spray painting around them in red. Sprinker heads, hidden pipes and the like. Very good touch by the race staff.

Following the grass we moved on to some downhill dirt and grass then on to about another mile of rocky trail. The trail had shards of shells as well as acorns and limestone rock sticking out of the ground. It was challenging but many barefoot runners charged right through it. Even though I've been a true barefoot runner since last January I haven't really done much trail running so this was challenging for me. I made it about 3/4 of a mile on the trail but ended up slipping on my VFFs because the speed I was having to travel would have had me there all day had I continued barefoot. I'm glad I got the chance to get some experience on the trail though.

Following the race there were drinks and bananas. A raffle was also being held to raffle off some VFFs. I didn't win but then again I try to stay bare as much as possible. I'm a Cub Scout leader with a Cub Scout pack out of Valrico, FL so it was at this point I had to leave since I had left a Cub Scout campout at Fort Wilderness, Walt Disney World to come up and run. It was only an hour drive back so I made it in time for lunch.

It was great to see Michael Sandler again, his insight and clinic information is always wonderful. Vibram, Pangea, and Travel Country were awesome sponsers and hosts -- Thanks for a beautiful and safe course!!

It was really awesome to meet up with Steve and Phil and I look forward to meeting up with more Florida BRS members.

Semper Fi,
Warren

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