Thank you Tey for the photos. Much appreciate it. A Velcro strip from IKEA to tie the timing chip . An old and loose wristband I put on my ankle. A strong and determined heart. An exhilarating barefoot race!
It was maybe last September that I started to train barefoot. I started mixing barefoot running with shod running to improve my running gait and strengthen my feet and legs. At first I was just trying it out by walking in the park where I trained. Then slowly, I started to jog until I could run a full 4km lap around the park. Over time, I built enough muscle strength and confidence to run barefoot on Bukit Aman to Hartamas route.
NB15K has been my tune-up race to SCKLM for the past two years. I would use it to gauge my readiness or form for the full marathon late June. This year, the race was held in Putrajaya where the roads were mainly in good condition. So it did provide a good condition for barefoot runners especially newbies like me.
It was a windy morning and I started quite strongly and before long, barefoot elite runner Tan Wah Sing overtook me. Then barefoot Paul Liong lined up besides me. Then he dropped off maybe 500m later before 2 or 3km mark.
The race course was relatively flat with a few climbs. I was able to maintain a good and consistent pace throughout the race. I didn't want to push too hard as I didn't do any speed training on barefoot before.
At the last 2.5km mark the road condition was bad for about 500m. It was painful running through that stretch. Anyway, at the finishing straight I just tried to maintain my pace to the end.
When I crossed the finish line, it was a great feeling. My first barefoot race. One that I never thought I would do but I did. And I completed it without much problem except some blisters on my big toes (which were kind of expected). But it didn't stop me to do a reverse run to look for my wife after I crossed the finish line and had a brief chat with barefoot Chuah and Tan Wah Sing. I always treasure the opportunity to run/pace with my wife to give her encouragement.
It was a good race for me. I finished it in 1:09:52, much to my surprise as it was my best 15km time so far and it was done on barefoot. The average pace of 4:38 per km was also bettered my expectation. And not forgetting I did a 20km LSD on the previous day.
I will continue to train and race barefoot but not all the time. It will depend on course condition and my training plan. One thing for sure, I still have not trained enough to run a full marathon barefoot. Maybe one day I will. It will be great to do that.
Anyway, the NB15K was well-organised. Good venue, enough refreshment, no hiccups. I will come again.
Maybe I will write more about my take on barefoot running some other time (when I am free).
Until the next race, do train hard and stay healthy.
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