Funny thing about that porta-potty…
So it’s the next day, and I’m feeling pretty good. Quads are sore, but that’s about it. Well, one other thing. There was a runner I remember passing me, who passed me again later in the race. I don’t remember passing him. Not that odd, I suppose. But I also remember being a little confused when I got out of the porta-potty. “This way, barefoot dude!” said a runner as I stepped out onto the road. So I went.
Let’s take a look at the map:
Between miles 11 and 12, there’s a pit stop at an out-n-back loop. I didn’t do that out-n-back. I skipped about 3/4mi of the course.
This means not only did I not PR, I did not run a full marathon. I’m surprisingly not too bugged about it; it was a great run, I had a great time, and am proud of my effort. BUT, I don’t think it would be right for me to boast about a PR when my finish time would be more like a 4:24/25 had I stuck to the route and run the whole thing.
Also, this is 100% NOT the organizers fault. They had helpers at the turn, who were probably amazed that I had “run” the out-n-back so fast. This was just me with my terrible sense of direction. Maybe if I looked at my watch a little more often, I would have noticed something weird. But I was just running, having a good time.
So there you have it. Interpret as you will; I say I had a wonderful 25.5 mile race. Not a marathon, not a PR, but whatevs as the kids say. I’ll just have to do it all over again for the first time next year.
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Comments
It’s easy to be saintly when guilt gives you indigestion.
I’m annoyed at myself, don’t get me wrong, but only a little. There will be other marathons for me to perform other acts of moron-itude. Can’t wait!
25.5 versus 26.2, hardly a difference, still an amazing race! What a crazy course, I would have been lost and off in another state, LOL. That is still a heck of a long barefoot run!
Interestingly enough, in my 5 mile race yesterday, a bunch of us made a wrong turn and added 0.2 miles to our race! Maybe it was freestyle day on the race courses or something 
Great job on the race anyways though…I’m still looking for my first marathon. Maybe this October…we’ll see!
Barefoot in the port-a-potty… seems like the one place that would give me the willies without shoes on…
Neil: I used the vffs for that, actually. But I probably would have been fine, because I had such a thick layer of road grime already built up.
That doesn’t really make it less gross, though, does it?
Wendy: No, not too much of a difference. But enough that I can’t really call it a PR. But, I have a sneaky suspicion that I’ll have a shiny new PR someday soon…
I agree with everyone else – slight shortcut or not, you still had an amazing race. I’m even more amazed that you don’t sound like you’re all that sore. That goes to show you well trained you were for this race.
I have to laugh about the mix-up, mainly b/c it’s something I’d do. Kudos for coming clean about it.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am so sorry to hear this happened! Either way you ran an AMAZING race, and you should feel very proud of yourself!!! I know that at one point I almost went the wrong way myself. Very easy to do, and I know you’re not alone in making that mistake. Great finish, and great blog!!!!
Thank you for using the portapotty. Not everyone was doing that yesterday. Next year they’ll have to put a sign in the portapotties in that area.
Dena: Thanks. If anyone who finished behind me wants to move themselves up one spot, that’s cool with me. With my sense of direction, it was bound to happen eventually.
Nicki: No need to worry about my pride… I come down with a case of humility only every once in a while. Some might say not nearly often enough.
David: There were so many portapotties. No excuses to get all back to nature, as far as I’m concerned. Re signage, I’m sure there were arrows just like at every other turn. A sign wouldn’t have helped me. If anything, maybe at the entrance to an out-n-back isn’t the best place for a portapotty, but logistically speaking the risk of doing what I did are pretty small.
Actually, I take it back. A sign that says “Don’t Cheat This Time, Josh!” at the turn would probably get my attention.
Saturday must have been a day for shortened marathons. I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one that will have an asterick next to his first bf marathon, although my asterick is MUCH bigger than yours.
My quads are sore too, especially if I sit down too long. Today, I’ve been wondering, no over-analyzing what I could have done differently yesterday to not cause a blood blister on the ball of my right foot (and make it tender). My feet were getting uncomfortable in the last few miles before the race was stopped with 4 miles left to go. I think I could have finished, albeit at a slower pace.
But what’s bugging me is if I’m honest, those last few miles were not completely pain free, and that was my goal. That’s why I was barefoot. Hmmm, I had doubts before the race and they are still there. Something’s not quite right with my stride. Perhaps in time it will come.
Kelly:
Why was your race stopped 4 miles before the end? What race was that?
I am no expert and you sound much more proficient with bf than I, but sore quads might mean over striding. The Chi-Running type folks state that sore quads are from having the large muscles do too much work instead of allowing for a relaxed stride.
My $.02 (no refunds).
Kelly: does this marathon make my asterisk look big?
One of the frustrations of learning to run barefoot (or anything, really) is thinking you get it only to realize there’s more to learn. I don’t think “barefoot form” is a rigid thing. It’s something that changes every day, every hour, every step.
You didn’t get a blister on your left foot, which means you were doing something right with that one. You’ll probably be up for running before the blister is totally healed. When you are, try a short SLOW run with the sole (ugh) objective of protecting the ball of your right foot. You’ll probably discover you can used the outside (from pinkie toe to heel) more, and be gentler with the rest of the foot.
Great work in Nashville. Rest up, and get back out there.
Chris,
The short answer is bad weather. I don’t know if you have to be a member, but here was my race report on KenBob’s discussion group:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/RunningBarefoot/message/32799
Josh,
Thanks for the encouragement. I agree. Every step is unique. The marathon is a long run, lots of highs and lows.
Chris,
I forgot to respond to your quad/Chi-running comment. I’ve never studied Chi-running, but I have studied Dr. Romanov’s Pose Running which I believe is basically the same emphasis on not over-striding.
Before BFing, I had chronic achilles tendonitis. Since BFing (is that a bad word?), I went through a transition period of a few months where my quads were very sore. I think upper leg muscles were/are taking on more workload than they did before BFing. End result, achilles tendonitis is gone.
Quad soreness is going away and I feel it is to be expected after running a marathon. I suppose some sole tenderness is to be expected after running a marathon too. I plan on going for a short run tonight with my little furry white Maltese. She loves to run, and runs like a freakin rabbit!
Congrats on your really, really long run. Sorry about the marathon PR. Next time.
I sprinted the last 0.2 of a three-miler on Friday for my fastest barefoot run yet. I’m guessing I still have lots to learn as my feet pretty sore on the outside of my pinkie toes and my one big toe was slightly blistered.
Hope your feet are feeling good today. Cheers!
Kelly: Thanks. I have opted to be more a VFF runner with bf for training and inspiration (for now). You are probably right about marathon distances and quad pain. I am running my first minimalist marathon (3rd marathon) June 12th in NC. I have more and more confidence that it will go well but you never know.
I agree with Josh’s assessment about each run being different but also a new incite into technique. You learned from the experience I am sure.
Have a nice run with your furry friend.
…and honest too? You are so saintly!
Too bad about the confusion. At the NC Marathon some volunteers misdirected a handful of folks in the half marathon chopping off several miles. That is so unfortunate. But your attitude is the right one. You had a great run on a cool course. And you certainly proved your feet could make it and take it. Bravo!