2015 Jerusalem Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K ... Anyone?

Barefoot Rick

Barefooters
Jun 13, 2010
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I know I don't post here often. However, occasionally one or two persons want to know what is going on with my barefoot running.

A couple of weeks ago I completed another barefoot marathon. This was possibly my most meaningful, even more so then all my barefoot Boston Marathons, New York, Chicago, etc. I finished the Jerusalem Marathon barefoot which was wonderful. Next year, I would like to be part of a group of barefoot runners that would like to do the various race distances. No matter if you are a person of faith or not, there is something special about running on this ancient soil.

Here is my report if interested. If anyone thinks that they might want to consider it for next year, please let me know.

http://barefootrunner.org/reports/14jerusalem/14jerusalemmarathon.htm

Best Regards,

Rick
 
I'm glad you were able to take part, Rick. Welcome back!
 
I'm curious about what sorts of surfaces you end up running on during your marathons. I am planning on trying my first marathon this coming fall, and doing it barefoot, but am somewhat concerned about a lot of the rough asphalt around here. I will be running locally and doing my best to try out the course and prepare, but I wouldn't mind a few words from someone with more experience!
 
happysongbird .... Marathon courses and sufaces are varied. I have ran on very rough courses, and some that felt like butter. Jerusalem was my 56th barefoot marathon and I would say it was a mixture of both rough and smooth. Where will you be running your first in the Fall? Possibly I can comment on the texture.

Best, Rick
 
Looks like a great course. I would imagine it is hilly since it is in Boise? Not sure, but I know they use a lot of chip seal in mountainous areas. Chip seal is where the spread pebble-sized gravel and then pour tar over it. It can be a bit uncomfortable.

I would suggest writing the marathon race director and ask them what kind of surfaces are on the course.

Best to you!
 
Looks like a great course. I would imagine it is hilly since it is in Boise? Not sure, but I know they use a lot of chip seal in mountainous areas. Chip seal is where the spread pebble-sized gravel and then pour tar over it. It can be a bit uncomfortable.

I would suggest writing the marathon race director and ask them what kind of surfaces are on the course.

Best to you!

oh, I definitely know about the chip seal. I just ran a barefoot 10K that had 2.58 miles of extremely sharp asphalt. My feet are still recovering. I will plan on trying out the course before race day. I did that for the 10K and it was very helpful. Thanks.
 
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Thank you for the report, Rick. :thumbup
 
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I would certainly like to join you in 2015, but maybe the year after!

Happysongbird: I agree with everything Rick has said. Maybe they have a forum or a message board on their website. Or you can try runningworld.com and go into the marathon forum they have and ask some questions, be warned some people in there have no tolerance for barefoot running:)

My suggestion is try to purposely train on some rough road conditions to condition yourself for the unknown. Good luck with training!
 
Yes, what Adam said! :) ... "My suggestion is try to purposely train on some rough road conditions to condition yourself for the unknown. Good luck with training!" ... That is sound advice. When I have done Heart of America Marathon in Columbia Missouri, I knew there was 2 miles of gravel road. So, I tried to add in some gravel road training before I would do it.

Plan and prepare for the worst and be grateful when that is not the case. That will take you a LONG way.

Best to you,

Rick
 
May be a little late to this conversation, but I would suggest regularly walking barefoot on different surfaces to strengthen your feet and its intrinsic muscles. I ran the Jerusalem marathon barefoot back in 2012 (first person to do so) and this was the cornerstone of my training preparations.

Dig deep and good luck!
 
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May be a little late to this conversation, but I would suggest regularly walking barefoot on different surfaces to strengthen your feet and its intrinsic muscles. I ran the Jerusalem marathon barefoot back in 2012 (first person to do so) and this was the cornerstone of my training preparations.

Dig deep and good luck!
Welcome! :barefoot:
 
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What's that like to run on the Great Wall? Have a report and/or pictures to share with us for the home page?
 
Wow, this is a late reply!

Apologies everyone, but on returning back from China we moved house, just recently got back on line.
I can describe the Great Wall Marathon in 2 words Beautiful and Brutal! I'd like to state straight away that I didn't run this barefoot! Some of the steps have pretty sharp edges to them..

OK, for the full mthon something like the first and last 8km is hilly and on the wall. Wonderful views but very punishing on the legs especially on the second loop. You go up and down a total of 5, 164! Many people stopped and sat on steps occasionally to rest or take it all in, I remember climbing past some runners who looked like they had lost the will to live and would never move again, but eventually they did. My preparation for the race was pretty poor (we just had a baby) but I was disciplined with pacing myself, walking the steeper sections, which pain off in the end allowing me to finish a little stronger in a time of just over 6 hours.

Runs through the villages were also great adding a unique element to the race as local children occasionally lined the paths to high-five runners and shout "Ni-How!" (Hi!).

The official video for the race is really cool, I even manged to make an appearence, though they got me at a moment I was sitting on a step having a drink, still I'll take any 3 seconds of fame I can get!

Official video for this yrs race, I'm at 2 mins 53 secs:

https://youtu.be/SNlRmIwDWIE