I will keep this one short an sweet.
On Sunday I ran the Chicago Rock and Roll Half marathon barefoot. This was my very first race of any kind, and needless to say, I am now addicted to them. The atmosphere of a big race like this is just amazing. While training for this race, I had some problems with how to attach a timing chip, as is evident by my timing chip topic I started a few days ago. I went out and bought a cheap $3 pair of wrist bands. The wrist band was a little tight around my ankle at first, but it was soft and it stayed in place. By the end of the race I completely forgot that I even had it on. The course was beautiful, weaving its way through downtown Chicago. The crowd and the other runners were very supportive. It was encouraging to hear "go barefoot" instead of "go runners." I think mile 12 to 13 was actually my fastest mile, and the crowd helped greatly with that. The metal grating on the bridges were a little uncomfortable, but nothing I couldn't handle in small doses. I ran the first half with my sister in law, then sped up ahead of her for the last half. I finished in 2:02:01, which is a time I am very happy with, and I guess is a new PR (it was my first official half marathon after all, so anything would be a new PR). Along the way I saw one other barefoot runner. I was on the move, so I only had time to say hello as I passed him. All in all I had a blast. This was my first race ever, but many more are to come.
On Sunday I ran the Chicago Rock and Roll Half marathon barefoot. This was my very first race of any kind, and needless to say, I am now addicted to them. The atmosphere of a big race like this is just amazing. While training for this race, I had some problems with how to attach a timing chip, as is evident by my timing chip topic I started a few days ago. I went out and bought a cheap $3 pair of wrist bands. The wrist band was a little tight around my ankle at first, but it was soft and it stayed in place. By the end of the race I completely forgot that I even had it on. The course was beautiful, weaving its way through downtown Chicago. The crowd and the other runners were very supportive. It was encouraging to hear "go barefoot" instead of "go runners." I think mile 12 to 13 was actually my fastest mile, and the crowd helped greatly with that. The metal grating on the bridges were a little uncomfortable, but nothing I couldn't handle in small doses. I ran the first half with my sister in law, then sped up ahead of her for the last half. I finished in 2:02:01, which is a time I am very happy with, and I guess is a new PR (it was my first official half marathon after all, so anything would be a new PR). Along the way I saw one other barefoot runner. I was on the move, so I only had time to say hello as I passed him. All in all I had a blast. This was my first race ever, but many more are to come.
