Chichester Half Marathon
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Barefoot pictures

10/16/2013

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Crossing the field towards Lavant
On top of the world on top of the trundle
Feeling up on the downs
On Centurion Way
Inside the last mile
On the finishing straight
Draining the last bit of energy.
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13 miles, 3 words.

10/15/2013

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And the shoes are off, ready to start
I’m tired, my feet ache, my body aches but I don’t care. I did it.

When I think back to this years Chichester half, three words spring to mind:

It was emotional.

I choked up on three occasions yesterday, all for different reasons.  

Firstly, I choked when I pulled into the car park, ready to run and saw the race day buzz.  

As part of the team that organised the event, it felt like it was really happening; ‘people are coming to my birthday party’. It was wonderful seeing the fruit of everyone’s labour as everyone was getting ready, warming up and putting their ‘race faces’ on.  
PictureThrough the finish line
In my training I have had good days and bad days. Within 30 seconds of the start I knew this was a good day. Phew.
 
And as we started I thought it must be quick but when someone said we did the first mile in 6min40 I couldn’t believe it. I’m not sure I’ve ever run a 6min40 mile barefoot. I felt relaxed so didn’t worry too much. 

The cheering spectators made a huge difference and then seeing my mum, sister and children in Oaklands park kept a spring in my step until Lavant. 

Then came chalk pit lane. This was the 3k I had thought about more than any other.

My pace dropped significantly but the rain made the terrain a little more bearable. But what I hadn’t factored in the runners passing me was the many pats on my back and words of encouragement.  Thank you all, it meant so much and kept me going.

And when one runner stopped to do up his laces I could resist a cheeky comment “take your shoes off I said”.  

Then after the loop at the top of the trundle I choked again. As I looked down I saw a long line of runners coming up chalk pit lane and ‘the travelator’, (the stony bit from the car park to the top of the trundle). 

Seeing people give 100% in pursuit of something is humbling and inspiring. I wanted to cheer on everyone but needed a few deep breaths myself. As I saw my wife reach the top, I shouted to her. I was high, emotionally and literally.

The long run back from West Dean and Centurion way to Lavant was a mix of grit and determination. Then I was 3 miles from home and on my go-to training route. ‘I can do this’ I said to myself. ‘Keep your focus’

PictureCold water courtesy of the COTE team
3 miles to go: Look at my watch, calculate my average mile time, forecast my finish time, keep the mind busy, forget the pain. Head up, knees up, keep going.

2 miles to go. Same routine. Calculate, forecast. Do it again. And again. Keep the mind busy, forget the pain. Head up, knees up, keep going.

1 mile to go. ‘I can do this’ I thought. My mind starts to wonder, the pain rises, the pace drops.  Back on the calculations, again and again. Head up, knees up, keep going. Head up, knees up, keep going. 

Then the 13 mile banner greeted me. And for the third time I choked, the tears welled up this time as I sucked in two deep breaths. I heard people cheering. I heard my name, keep going, keep going.

Then the last few strides. I saw my time, crossed the line, I couldn’t believe it. 

I slowed to a walk, I knew the pain was on its way, but I didn’t care: I’ve done it I thought. I’ve run a half marathon, a barefoot half marathon, the chichester half marathon, the Children on the Edge half marathon.

Thank you to every single runner who patted my back and spoke encouraging words all the way round, you made my race. 

And also to those who sponsored me; what you have done is greater than just taking off your shoes, thank you so much.

Now what? 

Anyone fancy riding a bike from the Atlantic to the Med over the Pyranneas next June?! 

If so, do Get in touch
Picture
13 mile feet!
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Getting there

9/17/2013

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Just under a month to go and I'm genuinely scared.

I have good runs and I have bad runs. I can run the same route but on a bad runs, it hurts more, I run slower and turn the air blue with my language or sing through the pain. I'm not sure which is worse for passers by.

The good runs are fun. The technique works and I keep a good speed up.  Not quite pb territory but 45min 10k so good enough.

I'm upping the distance but it seems I am racing against time. A busy life and recovery time for my feet is limiting my frequency of running.  I did 15.6k last night and whilst my feet are a little sore, my hip also aches a bit. Goodness knows why that is.

So with just under a month until the race I'm trying to make a plan.  I'll carry on my shorter (circa 10k) runs around town but try to do a couple of longer ones on the course route.

This weekend, I will face my fear and do chalk pit lane again and venture out to the back of the course near West Dean before picking up centurion way and coming home.  Maybe 11 miles or so.

And now we are definitely into autumn the ground is colder. Not an issue for the shoe runners but it is for me.  Here's hoping the day itself is warm and dry.

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I've tried and failed

8/21/2013

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Barefoot running must be becoming a bit of a big deal because trainer companies are jumping on board and producing 'barefoot shoes'. A contradiction in themselves. 

I've tried these shoes, which are surprisingly expensive for something consisting of very little material I must say. 

But I slipped on a pair of minimalist shoes (the other name for them) and went out for a run. Cue calf muscles that end up tighter than a piano string and the top of my feet feeling like I've dropped a door on them.

Barefoot running injury free. You've got to be kidding me.

The conventional wisdom seems to be that if you want to run barefoot you go from normal fat foamy trainers to barefoot shoes and then if you lose your mind completely, progress to actual barefoot running.

But the thing with conventional wisdom is that it isn't always wise.

The breakthrough came when reading 'Barefoot Running Step by Step' by Ken Bob Saxton. 

The whole essence off barefoot running, rather than just landing on the front of your feet is that you run soft.  And what better way to learn to run soft than run without any protection between your feet and the ground.

The barrier created by running in minimalist shoes can fool you into running just the same as in old school trainers. Crash bash smash; broken feet.

So it was a epiphany moment when I learned that the best way to transition is from shoes to nothing.  You have to run soft when you don't have anything on your feet.

So once the minimalist shoe injuries got better, I ditched them and started running totally barefoot. Very quickly I started perfecting my new running style, that was for sure. I started with a few miles and have been building up. I'm not anti-shoes. i still have the five fingers and minimus shoes by the door. But after failing at barefoot running with shoes I'm running truly barefoot and haven't looked back.

I'm running softer than ever before which, in addition to being an efficient use of energy, is also a great way to give dog walkers a fright.  Running soft  means I inadvertently sneak up on them, almost silently, then glide past looking like an athlete that's forgotten a crucial piece of kit.

So, if you're considering switching to the new big thing, read the book and maybe lose the shoes. It might be the difference between failure and success.

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Keeping my feet firmly on the ground

8/15/2013

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Picture
Deep breath. In, out. Here I go.

"I'm running the Chichester Half Marathon... 

...Barefoot."

The responses vary but the most common are: 'Why', 'You're crazy', 'Don't be stupid', 'Oh for goodness sake (that was my mother) or rolled eyes (my wife) and laughter (work colleagues).

But after over a year of flirting with minimalist, natural and true barefoot running, I have agreed to take on the challenge.  

And I'm a little scared to be honest.

I do believe the hype about barefoot running. It has helped me run faster than ever before - this year I took 7 minutes off of my previous year 10k time, recording a personal best of 41.08 at Bognor in May. And I have been able to run injury free which I couldn't do in trainers.

But I've never run 13 miles before, let alone a multi terrain course that includes chalk pit lane.  Or as I call it now, the road to hell.

 
But after extolling the virtues of barefoot running to everyone that will listen and mainly those that don't want to, I feel I need to put my money where my mouth is, or perhaps my feet where others shoes will be.

And of course, running the event my colleagues at Children on the Edge organise in my home town seemed like the perfect opportunity.

So I'm training hard, building up the miles and all being well, on the morning of October 13th instead of pulling my trainers on, I'll be taking them off and lining up with the other athletes for the Chi Half.

Sportsmen and women are good at goals.  So here's mine:

1. Complete the Chi half barefoot
2. Get round in 1hr 45 or less
3. Raise some funds for the work of Children on the Edge which frankly is much more important than whether I wear shoes or not.

Feel free to follow me on Strava (search for Ben Wilkes) or say hi if you see me running around Chichester, I'm not hard to miss!

And if you would like to help me achieve goal #3, text FEET74 £3 to 70070 to donate £3 or visit JustGiving page here. Thank you.
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    'Barefoot Ben'

    I'm running The Chichester Half Marathon. Barefoot.  

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  • ABOUT
    • Children on the Edge
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  • TAKE PART
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