1. the state or quality of being efficient; competency in performance.

This is the broad definition. It can mean many things. I like it because one can define competency per activity in many different ways. For running, an efficient runner can be one that uses the least energy, is least sore the next day, runs the fastest, has the fewest aches and pains through the run or after, can go the furthest with or without these previous examples, has the most fun, and so on and so forth, the list can go on indefinitely. This also works for all other activities we can think of. It’s endless.

The second and third definitions are:
2. accomplishment of or ability to accomplish a job with a minimum expenditure of time and effort: The assembly line increased industry’s efficiency.

3. the ratio of the work done or energy developed by a machine, engine, etc., to the energy supplied to it, usually expressed as a percentage.

These two definitions are more specific as they use time, effort, and energy as perimeters of measurement. My definition of efficiency used in these experiments varies per theory, and will be defined in each.

I have started many of the experiments already and it seems I am finding some commonality in many of them, including my own theorizing. For example, I feel we don’t need to do even close to much physical activity as we think in order to maintain whatever current fitness level we are on, assuming some basic variables are met, as you will see.

All of this started due to my simplifying. Over time, it has simply been applied to more and more in my life. Maybe it was due to the Tao Te Ching, maybe the Buddha, barefoot running, Jesus, Eckhart Tolle, Bruce Lee, who knows. What I do know is that this has been my process for a while now and not only am I simplifying, but I’m also very curious to find things out for myself.

I think we have been mislead on many things by marketing, thus brainwashing. Marketing of products, information, religion; marketing of ideas. Everything I have tested so far has been near proven to be opposite of what the general population would think, and some are vital to physical well being. These experiments continue partially for this reason.

Efficiency is the point, though. The following is a ever-changing blueprint to what I have been and will be testing:

1. Body
- strength, growth, definition, flexibility and how little needs to be done for all.
- feet and barefoot running
- running
- breathing
- teeth

2. Food and Diet

3. Mind
- introspection
- peace
- meditation

This blog will be continuously updated like all my longer term experiments.

The first thing I did was take measurements of my feet regarding girth and took a picture. I’ll post both in time. The second thing I did was try and figure out where to begin. I researched heavily into the ‘Iron’ methods of martial artists. There was plenty of info on iron palm and the like, but nothing on the foot. I understand this as the foot strike is geared a little differently than any hand strike and can already contain much of the force needed for any kick, which would cease a need for making it any stronger than it was. I realized I was on my own. Deconstruction time. What would make my feet stronger? What could could be done to my feet to make running even easier?

Below is my ongoing experiment. Nothing is in any particular order. My prerequisites are 2 years of minimalist running in Vibram Five Fingers, Luna Sandals, and Run-A-Mocs, and some barefoot running on streets. Form is, above all most important, and mine is pretty efficient. I’ll add new information in red on updates.

1. Surface area: The idea is that if my foot was wider, then weight is spread out, allowing for less stress overall.

- I bought Correct Toes. While very expensive, they seemed the most effective on time. This little silicon device goes in between ones toes as one piece. While my feet have widened alot since I began barefoot and minimalist running, I still have a big toe that curves slightly inward as well as other shoe based results. These may help. It should take time; at least a year, but I’ll find out for myself if this is a fluke or not. Start with a few hours and work your way up. They suggest wearing them daily with shoes that allow toe splaying. So far I wear mine at night and during sleep, 3-4 times a week.

2. Toe, Ankle, and Foot Strength: The idea that if the feet are stronger, they will help on all things from balance to relieving burden of the rest of the body. I believe that the stronger the foot, the easier all strain and stress from alot of standing and movement activities will absorbed from the rest of the body, removing injury possibility and making things uber easy.

 - toe presses: While standing, press fairly hard on the ground with your toes only. Sets to reps: 3×10 for 3 days a week to start. This is an isometric activity. Pay close attention as to not hurt and break your toes!

- toe raises: Be cautious on these! Standing on a raised platform, raise your body like a calf raise, only do it with your big toe area of the foot. Do not jerk, be cautious and slow and start with uber low reps. 1×3 once a week to start.

 - toe opening: Rubber band wrapped around toes, open your toes and repeat. Currently seeing what should be done.

 - ball presses: grab something that will keep you grounded and lift one foot up to just be on the balls. Now, start to press on the balls of the foot, potentially harder. Be cautious as you can feel the strain being caused and injury is not the goal. Start with 1×10, holding for about 5 seconds on full press.

- resistance bands for ankle: tie the strongest resistance band you can find to something and while around the balls of your foot, do reps in each movement: left, right, forward, backward. To be continued.

- BOSU Ball and Balance Disk: I purchased both of these devices because I wanted to continue ankle strengthening and balance activities while reading, working and tv. While I’m skeptical on the claims of these devices, I am not skeptical on strengthening of the ankles and balance. While the BOSU is not cheap, I wanted to see if either of these was more beneficial than the other for suggesting purposes. So far I just stand on them and make sure I am not stable. My ankles do feel a bit worn after about ten minutes so far which is the point. Stay tunes.

 - ankle rotations: Do this daily. This is for flexibility and energy/blood flow. Just rotate each foot clockwise and counter clockwise, point down then up, repeat.

 - midfoot stomping: stand and stomp your bare foot down pretty hard, landing on your mid-foot. Be cautious on amount. You will have to feel it out yourself. I am at 50 stomps each foot 2 times a week to start. This should strengthen the impact aspects of ones foot but we don’t want to break it!

- forefoot slaps: Similar to the above, stomp your foot down only here you slap your forefoot down. You should not feel the force of a stomp but more of a stimulating loud slap. This seems to get the nerves going as well as blood flow and the light pain so far is slowly going away.

 - stretching: while sitting or standing, pull all toes up as far as they will go while on the floor or the edge of a table, etc and bend leg to stretch them a bit further. Hold this for as long as comfortable. The idea is to create more flexibility in time for the entire foot. You will feel this in your arches as well.

- high falling: jumping off of higher places will strengthen the feet on landings. Start at 4 feet and fall, learning to land as light as possible. Work up foot by foot. 1×10, 1 to 2 times a week.

3. Sole and Nerve Toughness: The idea is that if the nerves are not overly sensitive and if the skin is toughened, it will be much easier to run on any surface.

 - street running: While not even close to as difficult as technical trail running, the ease is beneficial at first due to it allowing one to go much further, focusing on landing and form. Almost anyone can start on streets with no problem. Be warned of chipseal material and some asphalt is sharp and extra rough. Temperatures are also of concern. My own goal is to run at least 4 miles 3 times a week to work, which is 2 miles one way and back, major hills. I’ve done this before and it helps.

- trail running: the most effective tool. If the trail is overtly technical, meaning rocky and hilly, your feet will have maximum amount of training although there may be alot of pain during, and sometimes after. There is probability of bruising, blistering, even cutting but the benefits outweigh these otherwise. Don’t over do it. My own goal is run a 6 mile loop technical trail every other week to see progress of the experiment or at least on this section. Until I can go faster, the benefits of the strengthening may be minimal observation wise.

- indoor rock training: I have 3 plastic containers, 2ft by 4 ft ish, all half filled with different gravels, for a total of 6 different gravels. The idea is to give my feet an abundant amount of information and additional practice by standing on the gravel of choice while reading and watching movies, and moving my feet over the material, even lightly stepping in place. I would like to be able to work my way up to a stomp, if it is possible. It should add additional toughness to my soles as well as the much needed nerve training.

Any and all suggestions are much appreciated. I am as a beginner at this as anyone else. I am always wanting to learn others methods and trials. Feel free to share below.

I wore the Wall shirt as a joke since running and the wall seem to go hand in hand they say

Comparison Intro

I will be contrasting the 2011 Free State Trail 100k to the 2012 Rocky Raccoon 100 miler as they are the 2 races I have done over 50 miles. Both were quite different than one another and to me prove to be a natural counter point and interconnected. My own personal journey has changed quite a bit since last April, especially pertaining to running. Back then I was just beginning my use of the Luna Sandal more and more, learning effective tyings and the differences in laces and attempting to form preferences. I also was running alot more, with a consistent amount weekly as well as a hell of alot of races. I ran 3 races in April 2011, 2 being Ultra’s, and the other being a marathon. I was getting into my only fruit eating groove and figuring methods to speed up and start work on speed training, which I never got around to. Since that time, I have run less and less, focusing more on school and my mind. I have completed a half and full marathon barefoot, run alot of trails, almost more than streets, and have almost completely stopped using a Garmin, instead focusing on the moment, my form, and the feeling. In fact, at this point I barely even run outside my job and the few races I have done. Part of this was school caused, but also since I was feeling so good I was curious about how little I could do to complete a 100 miler, which brings us here. You can read the results of that in Part 2. My form is better now then ever, being more compact and lighter. So much I feel like I am gliding half the time.

The Start

- Free State: I was nervous due to my unsureness on trails, footwear, and food. I had no idea if the sandals would work. I was still trying things out in races, instead of in training. I planned well for the sandals. I was trying out the hemp lacing that day because I felt they worked best when wet if there was mud. I ended up having major problems with them not being tight enough or too tight. In the first 10 miles I had stopped to tie them enough to be left in the back of the pack and frustrated, which is rare for me. I threw on my trusty KSO Treks at the drop bag area for the remainder of the 60+ miler. The race was chilly so I wore a long sleeve shirt I took off within a mile. I also started with a small backpack and bladder with extra sandal laces just in case. Funny enough, I had not tried it out prior to that day, therefore not knowing how to get the water bladder to not make alot of noise and fit right. Therefore, it was loud and loose. It went at the first drop bag station as well!

- Rocky Racoon: I started an hour early. I go there right at time, so I asap said by to my buddy Valerie and took off. Did I mention there was a pouring thunderstorm present? Oh yeah! 5am super storm. Running with a headlamp made it look like we were going through hyper space in slow mo. It was 60 ish degrees and was very fun for me. The thunderstorm uber pour became a steady rain for the next 6 hours or so. I dropped the shirt and poncho at the drop bag location. I didn’t need clothes.

I didn't take this pic and can't find whom did, but it features the early start conditions. Ha!

Terrain

- Free State: The three 20 mile loops had all sorts of terrain, from smooth dirt to technical. Not too many hills overall, there is a part of the course that is entirely rock next to the lake. It is pretty neat, but not easy. Roots and alot of rocks presented a very challenging terrain where many fell and fell alot. No mud though, even though it sprinkled a tad.

- Rocky Raccoon: The five 20 mile loops had roots city. You would stub your foot if you were not careful. The course seemed very fast overall, with minor hills, none really needing to be walked. Due to the rain, there were some pretty obnoxious mud areas. While mud isn’t usually a big deal, the ground had alot of sand on it. While this presented minimal annoyance to me due to my wearing of the Luna Sandals ATS with nonslick surface (discontinued), I would assume shoe runners had sand in their shoes. I did keep getting a sand buildup under both my big toes, probably caused by the non slick surface of the sandals, and I would water my feet way too often to remove this. It caused no blisters, but felt like it was causing that all race long. A major annoyance after so many hours. Overall it was a smooth course that was mainly flat.

Food Notes: At both races I ate almost entirely fruit, with the occasional fun junk, and NO SALT TABS. I chia seeded at the beginning of each loop, and drank water only when thirsty. I drank sports drinks occasionally at Free State. For more specifics on my original study, see Part 2.

Cliffnotes of the Journeys

- Free State: The race went pretty smooth for me, it being once of the few times I had ever run on trails. I was loving it. I ran with a few people eventually, since it was 3 loops, and one in particular, a girl that was my pace for about 30 miles, and she was nice. It was also the first race I had to pay attention to the clock. This caused some anxiety. Due to my slow start, stopping and tying my sandals alot since I was a dumbass about that, I was behind on cutoff times, the first race I had ever had to face them. It did motivate me to go harder for a while, but I was not running as light as I could, and I paid for it later on. I barely missed one of the cutoffs by 5 minutes and hated that feeling the entire race. The anxiety of making it on time, etc.

This was not the actual finish. It was WAAAAYYYYY before. Just the end of the 2nd loop methinks?

The girl eventually went ahead, running with her friend whom came to pace her in the end of the race. I was walking alot near the end, especially when nighttime came. It was the first time I had run with a headlamp on, and on a trail at night. Was very interesting. I heard all sorts of creatures, and alot of coyotes. A big pleasant surprise was that I got a pacer at the end, kind of. His name is Danny, and he was picking up the signs and markers on the course, since I was last. He is also a guy I knew, having met him on my first ultra and 50 miler, which was the Blue Springs 50 50 (see Ultranesssaucism). I had since seen him at all ultras I had run, so this was tradition! It was nice to catch up with him, at the end of things. But being last also created that feeling I had in my first ultra, I didn’t like feeling like I was keeping the race directors waiting. That feeling didn’t help that I was pretty beat on the last leg, walking alot. I’d say I walked nearly 15 miles total that day/night. It actually caused my only race related injury later I’ve had (up til writing this: 2.18.12).

- Rocky: The race was a dream in its entirety. I started a tad fast, but it was pouring and raining and I felt great. I would stop and visit at food stations, and do my usual squat stretch I do. Besides that, I ran non stop up to 60 miles. I felt as good, if not better at mile 80, then the entire race previously. Having focused on a faster cadence, I couldn’t have asked for more of an at ease race. At mile 60, it was time to put on the glow sticks for fun and collect a running partner and friend Valerie, whom came with me for support from Miami and proved to be endlessly useful, especially after the race. She was just coming off her first marathon the previous Sunday, so I had her run the first 7 miles of the loop with me, leaving her at the tent so I could try something out on the next 6, which meant me booking it since it seemed I had the energy. When I returned to get her, it had gotten colder out, and a nice older gentleman volunteer named John, I think, offered me one of his extra shirts. This would prove vital for the temperature drop that was happening. While I am used to the cold, my body was acting differently at this point of the race, and I was cold. It probably was due to a little thing called walking.

Valerie and I were forced to walk because I was a dumbass and forgot my batteries at home base, as my headlamp went dim, which meant she lead. That was, until hers ran out of batteries as well. It was nice to walk and talk though, even if it was for 7 miles. It was nice to run with her also, as I have received crap from her and other friends about how I don’t run with them in races. Well, there. She has come such a long way in running, it was totally awesome to run with such a friend that night.  Did I mention how awesome glow sticks are? I had them on all over! One of these days, I’m going to figure a Tron outfit for one of these… As we finished the leg, I was cold but I was also full of energy city. I felt like I was about to go crazy. I got some batteries and took off. What happened then was amazing and stupid all in one.

To put it simply, I took off and ran the next 13 miles faster than I had run the entire day. It was also about as fast as my fastest half marathon on trails, without 80 miles having been run before, er or 73 (with the low light walking incident). While this was an awesome feeling, it destroyed me after. I used all of my energy, and the time of the race was catching up with me. I was ‘I need sleep’ tired. But I only had 7 miles left.

On retrospect, I may have been hit by some wall action during this, I don’t know. I honestly have no idea how the last 7 miles took me near 4 hours. I caught myself sleep walking a couple times. I went into a deep meditation alot of it, only to be snapped out of that when people would walk by, with me wondering how they could walk so fast! All I know is I was damn glad that man gave me the long sleeve shirt, because I was pretty cold. It had a turtle on it from a race he had done in early 2000′s. So awesome! I did take some caffeine from the last rest station and managed to get a jolt for about half a mile until it wore off and returned me to falling asleep. My body felt great though, and I didn’t care about time so I walked til near the end, making some phone calls I thought would be fun, telling whomever I was on mile 97 or whatever, and just enjoying the uber slow hike.

The Finish

- Free State: When I know I am near the end of a race, I always get some crazy energy and take off. This was no exception. I took off and the 2 race directors, Ben Holmes, and Sophia Wharton, whom I knew at this point from other races, both ran to me and hugged me. It was one of those nice moments you can never forget. That and how Sophia gave me all of their left over fruit, which was like 3 days worth! And by 3 days worth, I mean 3 days worth for how I eat, which is 9 MEALS. They gave me the belt buckle; first 100k done. I was slow mo exhausted. I drove to my brothers house up the street and crashed. It was Easter!!

- Rocky: Following all of my calls, I knew the end was approaching. I knew where I was and although I was spent I felt awesome and started to lightly run. When I saw the beginning of the end, which was signaled by a guy with a big ass smile on his face, waiting for someone, anyone perhaps, I yelled Rick Flair style, like always, WOOOOOOOOOOO!!! And like any proper train, it continued up until I finished! My second wind had come and the only disappointment was that I could go no further!

The tent of the Trail Nerds from Kansas City was just before the finish line, featuring many race friends that were there the entire race, the end being no exception. Some ran, others came for support. Truly an amazing group including Sophia again, Ashley, Emily, Erica, Wael, Heather, Brian, Matty, and my man Luke!

Pictures: Free State: We all got free pictures due to Dick Ross’ SeeKCRun website. He goes to races, takes professional pictures, and posts them for free! You cannot beat this service. Thanks Dick.

Volunteers: I cannot say enough of these people. What a crowd in both races. I was literally waited on hand and foot. And everyone else was as well, all the way down to blister popping. Truly amazing selflessness these races have!

Recovery

- Free State: I walked in slow motion the next day and was tender everywhere except my feet. Day 2 was light soreness and I was, as far as I know, fully recovered in 4 days, which was nice although I did acquire a slight injury. Behind my left knee hurt. The backside. It didn’t hurt when I would run but when I would walk. It was tender for a couple weeks at least. I felt it during the race after walking fast for nearly 10 miles. I had been warned to practice walking fast, and this was the result as far as I was concerned.

- Rocky Raccoon: As mentioned in Part 2: Results, I was not sore the next day. The only thing that I noticed was when I went into a deep stretch of my quads, I had to do it slowly due to them feeling like they would be hurt if I went to fast. Whatever that means. I did suffer from amazing swollen feet about 8 hours after the race on, however. BUT it was because I went to a Chinese buffet. And whilst there, I managed to down 7 plates of high sodium food. Now understand, any one of those plates on a given day could swell my feet up due to how I typically eat (all fruit). So take that, multiply it by 7, and you can see WHAT A DUMBASS I CAN BE! And I suffered from it. Yes, you heard it correctly: the only problem I had in my first 100 mile race I did no training for was swollen feet due to Chinese buffet, way after the race.  And I had the usual post race spasms. Nonetheless, I was fine on day 3, and regarding full recovery, whatever that means, well, I felt fine after the race so I was really fine after I slept by day 2.

So…

I ran the Free State Trail 100k with a more proper training, and I ran the Rocky Raccoon 100m without training at all. I was physically very tired at the end of the 100k but not in the 100m. In both races I had speedy recoveries, although a much faster one for the 100m. My mind was much more at peace in the 100 miler, even with much more to lose due to my possible stubbornness and expense. It’s amazing how different one race can be from the next. It’s amazing how different one person can be in less than a year. Both these races were major learning experiences and an amazingly awesome time! Just thinking of them makes me want to get back out there asap. All in good time!

Full Circle
When I had just crossed the finish line, the race director, Joe Prusaitis, whom I had mentioned in the beginning of this writing, whom motivated me to run the Rocky Raccoon 100 in the first place, was there. He remembered me from Free State from the sandals. He handed me the finishers buckle, we talked, and I thanked him for such an awesome event and crew. Nice guy. It was nice to chat with him at the end of this, when he was there from the beginning, the very beginning.

Preface and Prerace!: Part 1: I Believe… I Can Run A 100 Mile Race Without Training

The Goal: Run a 100 Mile race without any training.

The Result: 27:57, although I consider it more a 24 hour run due to some circumstances I highlight in my race report. Barely any soreness the next day. No real difficulties during the race. Totally awesome time and peace inspiring!

Size and Age: 6’2 185lbs. I am not considered a small male by any means. I have broad shoulders, a big head, and big bones. I am 31 years old with a birthday coming in June.

The Race: Rocky Raccoon 100, located in Huntsville, Texas. The course was flat for the most part, with multiple types of trail terrain including an abundance of roots and mud following the rain. Not very rocky at all, ironically. The temperatures went from 60′s to low 40′s, maybe under, during this race. The race started in thunderstorm down pours, then went to light rain for about 6 hours, then to dryness, then cold. Story details featured in Part 3: Race Report(s).

The Theory: Live an active lifestyle, eat natural, especially fruit, and have good running form, barefoot style, and we can run a 100 mile race without training.

Explanation relative to me:

1. Live an active lifestyle – I valet 4 days a week. 3 of them I will run under 4 miles total, with a light sprint on a light hill for 150 meters per run. The remaining is well under 1 mile the entire day. I am standing all day. I occasionally run to work which totals 4 miles, 2 coming and 2 going.

2. Eat Natural – I eat almost entirely raw fruit. A typical day will have me eating 10 oranges for breakfast, 12 bananas and half an lbs of spinach for lunch, and 6 grapefruit for dinner or say 8 dates. This increases if I am highly active. I occasionally eat cooked foods but I stay vegan, meaning, no animal anything to eat. After this 100 miles, I am CONVINCED the raw fruit way of eating is perhaps the biggest variable of my race as you will see.

3. Run in good form, light and easy; run barefoot or as close to the barefoot style as possible. The entire race I concentrated on taking the fastest steps I could and it paid off more than ever before (180 steps +). Cadence is the way! I wore the Luna Sandal ATS this entire race. This sandal is now discontinued due to creation difficulties but the link provided is close. The only difference in mine is that mine are 2mm thinner, being the Pacer variety, with a non slick surface which is amazing! The ATS laces are my preferred trail lace period. I realize that footwear should be mentioned as a bigger variable here since I did this race in sandals and I usually run in thinner materials, which contribute to my very strong feet, and what that could mean to any race. I feel this topic is bigger than the scope of this piece although it should be noted I personally feel shoes with padding can only hurt the runner in long term, be it hurting their form, or not allowing their feet to get as strong as they could be. But this isn’t always the case. Just was for me once upon a time.

It should be mentioned I have run a 100k trail before, last April, 9 months ago. And I have run two 50 milers, the same one last year and the year prior. At least one 50 miler is probably needed before doing an entire 100, and for a 50, maybe a marathon is required. I mention this only because of the mental and physical difficulties. But I cannot be certain.

Additionals:

Drink: I drank only water the entire race and half a small cup of Coke and Mt. Dew near the end when I was falling asleep.

Salt: I took NO SALT pills. They are debatable to me still. I have never cramped in running and I don’t see the need thus far but I also take my sweet time and I eat quite differently then those I have researched and talked to that do take salt. They may be needed by speed demons, I don’t know. I did eat some Pringles chips occasionally, maybe a total of 20 throughout the race, among some other things that were salted, like M&M’s.

Fuel: I ate fruit throughout the race mostly, bananas, oranges, and dates and watermelon once. I ate a few tablespoons of chia seeds 4 times. I have done this frequently at some ultras, and I have yet to know if they do anything additionally to help energy levels. it is hard to tell. My biological research on the seed and its effects on humans shows it should help in many things but overall I have no opinion yet. I did have some junk here and there near the end. I always seem to indulge in ultras. Maybe a couple pickles, some instant mashed potato’s, some animal crackers, a powdered doughnut, and a few chocolate cookies. Yes I know chocolate typically has milk in it. I really don’t give a crap when I’m partying past 20 hours. It’s not an ideology, it’s an efficiency.

Breathing: Throughout this race I focused on breathing through my nose and keeping pace according to that in most of the race. I feel there is something to this that greatly benefits such long distances and endurance. Yoga running.

Mind: This is one of the more abstract of variables and hard to measure but I feel the mental aspect is equally one of the biggest factors of a race like this. I do not listen to my mind when it gets involved, especially negatively. That doesn’t apply to certain pains: if my body has shooting pain anywhere, I listen. But if my mind tries to comprehend time or distance, if it tries to tell me I have 60 more miles and that sucks or that I’m crazy, or that the rain is ruining the day, I quickly pay close attention to it, rendering those thoughts useless and disappearing. I do this in everything, it is part of my life meditation and I feel it makes all things easy and more peaceful. I feel it is a major factor in such a race and should be cultivated for all things.

Music: I do NOT listen to music nor did I during this race. I’m not entirely opposed to it, although I feel people shouldn’t be doing something they need distractions to get through. I’ve never seen somebody listening to their headphones at a movie theater during the movie.

Attitude: I love adventures and as a little kid I play for as long as it takes. This is valuable in all things: to always have as much fun as possible. It is easy once we get our minds out of the way. No need for seriousness. I would bet I smile more than most at this race, all the way to the end. I am positive this helps in all things, BUT it can’t be faked. Get the things out of the way that prevent total enjoyment is key.

Additional Notes:
No Training does not mean sitting all day long, every day. As mentioned above, I did run at my job. I ran to my job maybe 6 times in the past 3 months. I have gone dancing in the past few months occasionally, too. The long running I have done includes a fragmented 30 miler on streets the week before the race. I ran 10 miles to class, had class for about an hour, ran 10 more miles in the class with other students (I assist in a marathon training course), I ate at a restaurant nearby with a friend and then I ran home. I ran 21 street miles on January 1st. And on December 10th and 11th I did a back to back, both days near 20, one trail, one streets. I did a barefoot marathon in November. That’s 5 runs in 12 weeks. The last race I did before then was on Halloween and it was 50 miles. I had not trained then either. It was really no different than the above.

Another note is mid November to mid December I was working out in a gym almost daily for a class at school. I did full body workouts. My intent was to gain some upper body muscle mass based off my diet since I am constantly questioned about my lack of protein. I gained muscle mass during this time with no problem. I worked out maybe 2 times in January following that month. I cannot be sure that this working out helped or hurt anything in this race. If anything, I maybe weighed a few pounds more.

Conclusions:
I nearly ran the entire race. I would stop and do my lone squat stretch at food stations, and take my time as I ate or visited, and I would walk the few hills we had, but I did not stop running until nearly mile 93 with the exception of when my headlamp went out.

I got a small blister on the outside of my right foot, caused by the sand rubbing during my late 13 mile speed session. I didn’t notice it til I finished the race nearly 5 hours later.

My feet were fine during and following the race and the sandals were near perfect. The only problem I had was the amount of sand throughout the race would build up under my big toes creating amazing annoyance and a constant need to water that area. I probably would have saved an hour if I didn’t have to stop so much for this problem. The top of foot buckle also rubbed me raw in a small place but not much considering the time.

Soreness: the biggest surprise of this experiment and race was the fact I was not sore the day after the race. I do not know why. I had some stiffness in the calf area and I could feel some wear when I stretched the quads and hamstrings. But it wasn’t enough to call it soreness. I blame my diet as the biggest factor on this one, as well as my light form. But more so the diet as good form or not, I am not trained to run this distance and time and I feel I should have been more done in than this. It really makes no sense to me and has jeopardized my experiment in many ways.

I now feel this entire thing is so abstract that the merits are too varied to be closer to proof of my theory. It is simply too relative to me, my bone structure, my job, my diet and how long I’ve eaten that way, my stress levels or lack there of, my constant well being, running form, strength of feet and other things that help in a 100 mile race, my bodies temperature regulation since I do not sweat much ever, and I do not get very cold either. Apparently some in my family have a huge tolerance for pain, as well. Any one of these things makes my claim of anybody can run a 100 mile race without training pretty foggy. But at this point, I think this study has turned into being a study of human potential more so than actual action.

I do feel we can all learn from this in a non specific way. I have a problem believing much that I read as well as what people tell me, especially regarding running. I feel the human potential is mind boggling and any limitations are usually mind created. I feel we are capable of things most deem impossible, like running a 100 mile ultra marathon without training. I didn’t even believe that but I’ve learned that my brain is not capable of much comprehension without experience. Now I KNOW. Sure it sounds daunting. I help people in marathon training every week, many beginners that think every new long run they do is crazy. People think a standard marathon is crazy, let alone anything more. I teach how to remove what gets in the way of enjoying the ease and natural feelings of this movement we are born with called running. I try and point out how our minds are our obstacles, more so then our bodies alot of times.

What I have realized is the point of all of this is that we are EFFIN AMAZING and can do alot more than what we are told we can do and what we think we can do. These bodies, these endurance machines, proof we are the dominant of endurance animals on this planet, when given some freedom to be natural, through our food, through our running form, through our naturally peaceful minds, we can run forever in joy.

The earth is a playground, but so are our bodies. We should not harm them but allow them to be what they can be. The experience of our bodies in long distance motion can be as breathtaking to an internal observer as a wild horse running through a field is to an external one. Don’t miss it! Get back to nature and play!

I Believe…I Can Run A 100 Mile Race Without Training
Part 1
Part 2: Results
Part 3: Race Report(s)

Training?
I did one back to back run in December, when I figured I should do something. The first was 18 miles on a technical trail and 20 the following day on streets. The second day I was not sore or worn, as I run very light. Yet my ego played an important role in how difficult that run was, perhaps the most difficult run I have ever done. The voice in the head would not stop throughout the entirety of the run. It was quite annoying. On retrospect I cannot figure out why. Maybe it was something I ate, some ego food. Usually the voice stops on a there and back run on turn around if it shows its face at all, which is rare. But this night, it did not stop, trying to convince me to take any shortcut I could all the way until there was less than a mile to go. I was not tired after it, nor was I sore the following day. I could push it to more miles or faster, I thought, but then I remembered something I wanted to test.

Requirements and Prerequisites
I have wondered since my first 50 mile ultra if we needed to train at all for any distance in running assuming one has an active life, runs efficiently, and eats well, like, similar to how I eat. I got up that day and ran 50 miles without having run more than 3 times in the prior 2 months. I had a semi active job at the time, but not much, although I was on my feet all day, and while I didn’t eat like I do now, I would have been considered nearly a vegan. Now, I eat almost entirely raw fruits, with the occasional vegetable or cooked meal, no animals. Meaning, no meat, eggs, or products, and no dairy. I run barefoot when I can, minimalist when I can’t, using footwear from moccasins at work, to Five Fingers and Luna Sandals. While I am continuously getting lighter and faster and more efficient, I still always focus and try to get more so. And as I mentioned before, I have an active job being a valet, which requires standing all day and running a light sprint to cars around 150 meters away, 4 days a week. It averages under 4 miles total daily, but it is obviously in fragments.

I Believe…
I believe we do NOT need to train for a 100 mile race. I believe if we have an ACTIVE lifestyle we can run forever. I believe if we EAT how our bodies are truly geared that they become what some would think is super human, when it is actually indeed ONLY human. I believe if we have good FORM, the barefoot natural style, our legs and feet can run endlessly. I believe our MINDS are capable of doing this if we allow them to be, not getting in the way of them.

And I am going to prove it.

I am so certain that this can be done through the above that I stopped any ideas I had on what I thought I needed to do and haven’t done much because of it. After this race I intend on doing all sorts efficiency training for body movement, strength, and stillness. Therefore, this is the race to see if my hypothesis is correct. On researching this theory, I found little to support my claim other than Barefoot Ted’s Leadville 100 race report. He seems to be testing and seeing how amazing our bodies truly are. I like his style. Everywhere else I look, I can’t seem to find much. It may sound crazy even to me, but that might be what it needs to be.

I am not a small person. And I am not a speed demon. I just go and have fun and run in peace. But I am curious. And I am not assuming it wouldn’t be easier if I would have trained or at least run more.

I actually don’t think I can do this. But I’m wrong, and that’s the point. What I think doesn’t matter. Choosing to take action does. And in that, I choose to not believe anything I think doesn’t matter.

Say that 3 times fast.

I Believe…I Can Run A 100 Mile Race Without Training
Part 1
Part 2: Results
Part 3: Race Report(s)

Captain America: The First Avenger
The scene takes just as the main character, played by Chris Evans, has been transformed into a super soldier. A dude sets off a bomb in the lab that ensures a chase scene, only instead of the usual car going after another car, we have a human going after a car. Yep, that’s right. It actually isn’t as over the top as it sounds, fitting right into the showing of his new super human abilities. His BAREFOOT abilities, that is.

Apparently, being a super soldier means you naturally have decent barefoot sprinting form after the experiment! On further research, the actor actually has barefoot coverings for some shoes, but the point of this column isn’t to show how they do scenes, as I am sure I will have many special effects scenes, but to show the scenes themselves. A side note on this same subject: as I watch this scene in slow mo and then in normal, his feet look oddly bigger than they should, like hobbit feet. I have big feet myself, but they do not look like this. Of course, as I said, they are not his feet. Whatever.

Back straight, head dips a bit, but hey, he is near hulk sized in muscle, good cadence, and a …heel strike. YEP you heard it. On slow moing the scene, apparently the barefoot covered shoes allowed a heel strike on many occasions in this scene, which is near impossible to do on pavement barefoot, let alone sprinting. It isn’t on every step, but many of them. If anything, there are some flat foot landings, too. It seems some cgi is used on the feet here and there as well. But when he starts jumping from car to car, he does indeed land properly when running on the truck, with a forefoot touch. VERY NICE! I LIKE!

The best part, though, is when he tries to turn, going so fast, and flies into a wedding store. I find it extra funny that they had him do this emphasizing his speed. But as we all know, a full sprint barefoot does not allow very good turning AT ALL. To make things even better, with broken glass everywhere, he gets up  and runs through it like no problem. Barefoot running through glass super soldier powers!

The scene is still badass.

The Movies of Barefoot Running
Crocodile Dundee

Crocodile Dundee
The scene takes place near the end of this fantastic and iconic movie. Mick “Crocodile” Dundee has just decided to go walkabout throughout the USA once seeing the girl he has fallen in love with agree to marry her boyfriend. Sue is the woman’s name, and she is trying to contact Mick, whom she is responsible for, being a stranger in a much different land than his native Australian backwoods. As she calls the hotel he is stationed at, he is not answering. She calls the front desk and they inform her he is checking out.

She rushes to the hotel in a limo shared with her rich father, only to find Mick gone. The doorman tells her where he directed him to, and that’s the subway. Her father asks if she knows what she is doing, and her reply is simply “No, but it will come to me”. This movie being in the 80′s, there are no cell phones. And a wandering man from another country with his capabilities, well, he could be gone for years, as he mentioned earlier in the movie.

She panics. Taking off from the hotel in downtown New York, the concern for her face is showing as she briskly walks, thinking of what to do, maybe what would she do if he were to be gone. As the music continuously grows in presence during this entire scene, with louder and more drum beats building up the anxiety of what might happen if she cannot reach him before he leaves, Sue starts to run in her dress shoes.

But that isn’t enough. She stops, violently throws her shoes off, then takes off in a hard sprint, BAREFOOT. More instruments join the foray as she weaves through people on sidewalks and on the street. Her form is very good, with a fast cadence, seemingly soft landing. She is leaning forward a bit too much in my opinion, although she is frantic and I am sure the last thing on her mind is running form.

What follows is yet another amazing scene of this memorable movie. Topped off with something only Crocodile Dundee would do. Every time I watch this movie I love every minute of it. If you haven’t seen it, or cannot remember, well, give it a run and DON’T WATCH THE CLIP BELOW. You will love it. THEN, you will finally know what the Crocodile Dundee handshake is, what the quote “That’s not a knife” is all about, and what crowd walking is. G’day, mates!

starts around the 50 second mark

Starting Early
My biggest issue with this years race was that the Halloween parties were the night before I had decided to be the Joker from Batman, and wanted to party. I also wanted to run this race in full uniform and start an hour earlier than the earliest start, which was 6am. I wanted 5. That way I could enjoy as many people as possible but most importantly, not have the race directors wait on me like last year. Consider it a repayment for their kindness. But in order for this to happen, I’d have to get up über early on top of even earlier to apply makeup. I ran the Northface Endurance Challenge 50k on 1 hour of sleep and some booz, but I didn’t want to do that this race because of the tests I wanted to try. No, my party would be at the race.

3am: wake up. Eat lots of bananas, eat green tea powder for caffeine test, per race dump. Check. Figure how to apply the Dark Knight Joker makeup. Had an hour. Check. Put on nurse uniform. Check.

Side note: I went to 5 different stores in search of a standard, old fashion, one piece white nurse outfit. They only had sexy nurse outfits. In fact, they only had sexy anything outfits for teen girls on up. It was quite the sexist survey. It actually bothered me. What about the girls whom didn’t want to be a sexy something? As my Grandad would say, “In Mexico they call that el tuffo. You know what they call it in Russia? Toughshashitski.” At last I called a nurse outfit surplus. I asked if they had said outfit. They did in a size 18. I asked if it would fit a guy of my build. They replied “a guy”? Oh yeah. I went, I tried it on in front of everyone just in case they wanted to laugh. And to add to the disbelieve, when leaving I said it was not for a Halloween party per say, it was for a 50 mile run.

4:15am: drive to race start. Check. Start by 5… well, of course when I pull up to the start, behind a Kohl’s, no one is there and I had a special need for the second time that morning. Suffice to say, I was glad to a Johnny WAS. But I also found a security vehicle seeing me pull up behind the store, get out and walk past some trees, wearing clown makeup and a nurse outfit at 5am.

Whilst in the Johnny, lights pulled up and shined in that dark room for way too long, doing its best to prevent relaxationness. As I waited for the guard to walk up and knock, he left. Woo hoo and as I exited, the race director appeared. Bonus! He took my start time and I was off!

The Tests
This race I did my standard chia seeds and fruit before the race but also straight green tea grounded to powder leaves. I’d always hear about caffeine on ultras and it’s effect, so I figured I’d try a bit. Ultimately it wasn’t really enough since I was only able to get to it 3 times total, including none in the last 18 miles where I hear caffeine can really help. I ate the usual: bananas, chia, water, and the occasional gatorade although I prefer not to have that ever. I still took no salt at all and I wore the Catamount Luna Sandal, which is a premium leather version of the Luna, only thinner. It was lovely. Only now do I realize this was the first full race I wore sandals in, let alone a 50 miler.

Zombie Nurse
I should point this out early as it inevidibly puts a hamper on my Joker story. People reacted very differently to the makeup and outfit. Some loved it. I would have loved seeing it. Others, especially non runners that day, gave me weird looks. Some kids were scared. Some still smiled but I probably recieved, including the Chiefs game the following night,  squeamish glances and bad energy more than 50% of the time. I was looked at as a ghoul and I felt it. Those whom did not know I was the Joker said they thought I was a zombie nurse. Go figure.

One gentleman said with the sandals I was dressed similar to the Tarahumara tribe, whom the Luna Sandals design were inspired by,  featured in the book Born to Run. I hadn’t thought of it until then, and in a sense, I guess he was right. I wonder what they might have thought if they saw me that day.

Friends and Surprises
The race was small and fun. My buddy Shawn dressed up Braveheart like, kilt and all but started about an hour after myself, so we didn’t get to run together. During the race I crossed Luke, a fellow barefoot and Luna Sandal wearer, running his first 50k, smiling as always. Another acquaintance I know from races, Muffie, was seen at some point and at the end, where she cartwheels the amount of Ultras she has done total. This being her 5th = 5 cartwheels at the end of 50 miles. Totally awesome.

The big surprise, though, was when my friend Jesse honked his car horn right at the beginning of my last leg of the race. I was about 10 feet from the last 18 miles and by chance he caught me as he pulled up, hopped out and was ready to run. I was pumped! He ran with the Joker about 6.5 miles before turning around, running back for a half mara and waiting for me at the end.

The Great Wipeout
With 1 mile left, the Joker had 1 bikers coming towards him, and 2 behind him. He then tripped over something, which turned out to be nothing! He tripped hard enough to fall over, rolling onto his back as he fell, laying there and laughing. The irony lies in the fact that in all of the running and trail running I have done, I have never wiped out in a race. I have tripped a few times, even falling over once or twice, catching myself on a tree or with my hands, but never wiping out. In fact, I have only by this point wiped out 1 time before ever during a run. So, not only did this finally happen here, but there wasn’t anything that I apparently tripped over. I can only imagine how hard I really was laughing, laying on the ground on my back, wearing a nurse dress with clown makeup on with 3 people making sure I was alright. Of course I was! I was at mile 49!

Do dogs See the Real You?
Following the race, I headed over to my parents to show them the costume as well as see if their dog, KC, would recognize me. When they opened the door, I didn’t speak and the dog acted no differently then normal, no hesitation, she was not scared of me nor did she seem to be able to see that I was any different. This might be saying something. Just an interesting side note I wanted to mention.

Chiefs and the 2 Girls
The following night, Halloween night, Chad as Bo Duke (Dukes of Hazzard) and the Joker went to the Kansas City Chiefs game. I was hesitant in wearing this same costume due to the seemingly weird energy I’d get from some people, so I added some Chiefs flair to the whole thing assuming it was possibly just my imagination. I was wrong. Within minutes of entering the stadium, a girl had bumped into another girl and was getting into it with her in the hall walk way. I said nothing, yet she kept yelling back towards the girl behind us and eventually started to aim it at me. She was drunk, but nonetheless, I had said nothing and still said nothing and continued to walk, as her boyfriend veered her towards non Joker territory.

Incident #2 happened near the end of the game. A mid 20′s girl sitting behind us had been looking at me very weirdly the entire game and it came to a head here. As I was conversing with her apparent boyfriend, she blurted something rude my way, and as I thought she was joking, I asked jokingly back if she was scared of my makeup. She replied meanly that she wasn’t scared and actually started to be aggressive in a fighting way towards me verbally. In telling me to turn around and continually adding insults, I replied ok and did, questioning what I could have done to offend her. I later found out that when her boyfriend was trying to get her to stop, she replied that since I showed up, all the crap started happening. See, an incident that had gone on the entire game that included an opposing team’s fan located 4 rows in front of us. He had been picking serious fights with at least 5 people throughout the game as well as just being rubbish, flipping off everyone behind him for the game’s entirety. I guess it started when the Joker got there. Now understand he was not innocent of the entire incident, as he would yell out remarks in humor, yet not offensive in any way. And it was very weird that the entire time this obnoxious fan would not look at the Joker even once, all the while facing his direction. Still, though I have heard the Joker is known for causing such trouble, nothing warranted the behavior of the girl behind.

To add a 3rd topping, the following day I received another unwarranted projection, this time on Facebook, where my profile picture was from the race in full Joker makeup. Did the picture have any influence in the incident? No one can know, but since it happened 3 times in a few days all whilst in full makeup, it may have.

In the end, the energy projected my way that night, including the strange looks received during those two days and the Facebook finale were enough for me to consider ever dressing up that way again. It was still fun, though. Almost as fun as when the Joker made an appearance when I was in 4th grade.

OUCH
Following the race, my feet felt as if I hadn’t run at all. The Catamounts from Luna Sandals were marvelous. But for the Chiefs game, I wanted to complete the outfit by wearing the long black socks I find hilarious in the movie, and white shoes. I don’t own many shoes but I did have some white tennis shoes in my pile of clothes I was giving away. I figured I could do this for a few hours, no problem right? Wrong. I have not been in so much pain since I could remember. And the shoes were as loose as possible and untied. Not 2 years ago I would wear these same shoes for tennis every week and now with each step I felt pain from my toes and midfoot, to my achilles and knees. Running 50 miles for 10 hours in 3mm sandals didn’t hurt my feet. Standing for 3 hours in an inch in a half tennis shoes did.

Anyone interested in the Blue Springs 50 50, check out their website here. And for the write up on my first 50 miler, titled Ultranesssaucism, click here.

Time Management

The first thing that is needed is time management. It is difficult to fit in long runs during a week of full time work, family, friends, school, whatever. Especially if you are not an uber fast runner. Add things that come up and you have a mess of stress. There are also consequentials that come like strain, soreness and injuries that change everything as well. I usually don’t plan too much so this was difficult for me, yet made me create alternatives if things didn’t work out as planned. I laid out a general schedule for the week as well as additional time that could be used in the event of me running less than planned or cancelling due to need of more rest, etc.

Split Days

Splitting the distance over the day made things MUCH easier. I only did this on one day, but there seems to be much less wear and tear in shorter runs, so one morning and one evening would make things easier methinks.

Starvation

In running this much, if you do not get the needed calories, expect to feel like you are starving. For every hour you run, expect to burn from 600-1000 calories to be added to your general calorie daily intake. The body will ask for these at some point for balance. And it can be convincing. Enough that I ate basically everything I do NOT normally eat that week, as my zombie mode mind convinced me to, based on 1000 reasons, all bullshit. Eat like you’d like, just ALOT more of it. Or you too will become a zombie.

Resting

Get your rest, especially when not used to this kind of work. It is your only defense. Weird things went on during this time for me. I’d wake up for my middle of the night number 1 limping and thinking there would be no way I’d be able to run the next day. Then I’d wake up and would be fine. Go figure.   The entire journey was neat and weird. I was pretty worn by day 3, but day 5, the day in which my stomach hurt all day, my body, legs and feet felt fine so I ran the most in order to get it all done in 6 days, and woke up on day 6 feeling fine for my final run. I felt great from then on. On my day of rest, I WANTED to run, not feeling as though I had previously (I don’t feel the past mentally much even if known), but decided to stray from anymore the next few days.

Miles per Day and Footwear

Monday – 15 Luna Sandals (LS)

Tuesday – 18.9 LS

Wednesday – 5.1 KSO

Thursday – 15 Bikila before St. Patty’s Day eat everything I don’t feast

Friday – 30: 10 + 7 + 13 Bikila – split day into 3 parts with work – stomach hurt ALL day

Saturday – 17 Bikila

101

Running 101 miles total in 6 days, I now know what it feels like, at least a little. I ran about half in my Luna Sandals and the rest in my VFF Bikila’s. Add some barefoot in there for some spice as well as some KSO’s and Treks action to top it off. My feet were the most worn of anything else. Enough that I figure I should perhaps push my speed a little bit more, although I like taking it easy in the peace.

So these ultra guys do this often it seems. I’d like to more but that was spring break and now with school and work, I’d have to sacrifice sleep in order to attempt this again. But it was fun! Imagine your normal running schedule, only THAT MUCH MORE. If you enjoy it like I do, well, it is that much more enjoyment than a normal run week. But that’s mentally. What are the benefits physically? Who really knows the benefits at this point, for me at least. It’s too soon but you can research possibles.

If anything, I am sure that if you want some rapid weight loss, this can do that if you can become the zen master and not eat when the starving body says HEEEeeyyy!! Only way to find out is to try though!

No wait, it all started the day before, when I ran 20 miles in ice, half hills. I am currently trying to get my miles up weekly for once and doing a semi proper training regime for 2 Ultramarathons I have in April: the 44 mile Brew to Brew and the almighty Free State Trail Run 100k. So I’ve been trying to hit a back to back long run on weekends. This weekend was no exception.

I awoke today with six things in mind. Each are part of my human experiment project, starring me. I’m sick of reading things everywhere about health and running and being advised on it all and more in this life. It’s all over the place: all sides stating they are right, buy this, bleh bleh bleh. We are not zombies if we do not want to be. I want to experience things for myself. That is what any of us can do.

I see people at 5k races with the Batman belt on, full of life saving goodies like Gu and water and cool-aide when I doubt it is ever needed ever. I see people doing this in 10ks as well as half marathons. It seems likely it is needed in full marathons and more, especially in warmer weather, but still, we can only know by trying and testing; no need to blindly believe or apply your biased logic to it. I have some theories of my own and yes I am aware of the many variables that are not included below. The conditions is 45 degrees and under and no rigorous pace.

The six things are:

1. Run a full marathon distance for the first time ever non race.

2. If I do 1., bring no water – I want to know if  how thirsty I’ll get or if it’s really even needed for me in this weather: 45 degrees and under, cold wind.

3. If I do 1., bring only a bit of extra calories – 3 dates is all. I wanted to hit the wall to be honest, my roomate was home to call, I brought my phone, and I want to know if I need to bring extra calories for long runs. I’m sick of wondering.

4. If I do 1., do not walk – I have walked in all my marathons for at least a few minutes

5. Wear the Huaraches, aka Luna Sandals Leadville version – the furthest I’ve gone is 10 miles in these sandals and I want to wear them in the 100k. Big concern is rubbing in between the toes. Let’s find out, even if I don’t go on trails.

6. Put nothing on the nipples – I am curious if I need to at this point. It was cold enough to keep them sticking out, but would they chaff? Of course the shirt material is key here as well. I’ll go with the standard running shirt material.

Yes this is alot of things, but I’ve learned I should test this stuff in training and not in races, after the MAJOR FAIL in late November I have yet to write about but will soon.

Back to the house and me about to take off with all the above in mind: I didn’t want to leave. My ego was really convincing. It was not as warm as predicted. It was uber foggy. I had prepped: I had eaten 13 oranges, a bite of chia seeds, and a 2 cup drink of water, ready to face my test challenges. But it left me with pacing in front of the front door, trying to talk myself out of leaving. In perfect time, when my roomate Paco left his room and said good morning, it was enough to remind me to observe what I was doing, which made me laugh, then simply listen to the voice, which made it disappear. It was time to run!

I decided as I left to run the old Indian Creek Trail (paved) I ran last summer, only this time, I’d run further than ever before. There was still snow on the gorund but it was melting and the streets and sidewalks were mostly clear. That meant the trail would be similar, except maybe it’s bridges.

So I took off, and slow as hell. My ankles were very sore from prior days run in ice, and I was worn out, in slow mo, but I had no concern of time, as usual and I kept on, eventually speeding up. The trail is paved, so it isn’t exactly a trail trail, but it’s easy nonetheless.

I ran to the half way 13 mile point, stopped, stretched and ate my 3 dates. Talked to my Bro briefly, finding out he was on his way over, and headed back. Things felt fine this far: the energy, the thirst situation, and the sandals had rocked! I had many puddles and quasi streams to run through and even some off roading shortcuts to take. The sandals were not rubbing and really were perfect. 100 Point Bonus! Return movement time.

The second half I was going slower, sometimes alot. This is due to all of the above and is exactly what I wanted. The scenery was beautiful, snow on the trees, the creek flowing next to me with that smell I love, running through goose flocks, them watching me as I watched them, saying hello. I even THREE times ran with some squirrels: they wouldn’t run off as I approached, but instead started running parallel to me as I continued, looking at them puzzled, one being 5 feet to my left, jumping up the step wall next to me like Sonic the Hedgehog. It was going my pace.

I passed many people, from dog walkers, to other runners and bikers. Not too many, though. The runners did not look happy today, most of them hooked up to some music to get them by. I enjoyed natures music myself. At one point an older man ran by me and told me with the ‘tude: “You are going to destroy your feet in those”. I don’t usually reply like I did but to promote unshoes I looked at my watch and replied “Well, I’m at mile 22 and I still feel pretty good”. He didn’t say anything more.

I pee’d about 20 times, for whatever reason, throughout the run, reminding me of the 50 miler I had done on Halloween. No idea.

As I approached the 4 hour mark, I realized I was actually really close to beating my fastest marathon in time. I was beat, time was slowing, and I had been running nearly 2 minutes slower than the first time around. Screw it, let’s go faster and try and beat it! I want the wall to show it’s ugly face, and if anything, this could do it!

I busted out going hard, feeling good to breathe a bit harder. I had about 3.5 miles to hit, give or take, to get home. I ran through puddles, passed people looking at me funny, and learning about things. But forgetting one thing: the half mile uphill to get to my street once off the trail. I didn’t stop until I was at the house: check #4.

I cannot be 100% sure, but I am pretty certain I was faster than my fastest marathon before by about a minute. I ran a full marathon, wore the Luna Sandals, which did NOT rub or cause any blisters. I did not hit the wall, or get over thirsty (my pee even at the end was pretty clear), I didn’t require any more calories, although I would suggest it nonetheless as it probably would have made things easier near the end. I did not walk, although I did stop and stretch, zoning out in nature, forgetting that idea for a few. And my nipples did not chaff, yet are still hard because this kind of thing excites me.

The Verdict: DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ ABOUT RUNNING. Test your body and find out for yourself.