I went out this morning feeling quite sure that I was doing 20 miles. The course I chose to run this morning goes along a trail next the main route for the St. George Marathon (hwy 18). The route for the 1st 12 miles is all up hill. The first 6 miles was great and I was cruising at a fast clip. I was feeling energized and confident. I have never run this course, and from the road it looks smooth and like it connects into Snow Canyon State Park. Snow Canyon would be the downhill portion of the run.
So I turn up portion of the trail that follows hwy 18 and immediately I ran into pea sized and smaller loose gravel. Usually I am pretty adept at avoiding this stuff, but it was the same color as the road and you could not see it. My pace slowed dramatically and for the next hour and a half I was running a route of pain. About one mile to “The Ledges” development I stepped on a rock that just rocketed a line of pain from my foot to the top of my head. It made me stop, grab my knees, and breath through the pain. The stuff was just everywhere and it was fatiguing to keep focusing on relaxing. So I started to walk through this section and wonder if I was going to call for a extraction. Soon the debris field cleared and I was running, albeit slowly as a tender-footer.
Mentally I was using the rocks to my best advantage by asking myself about each item of pain and discomfort. I believe that you can root out mental limitations by asking yourself what is connected to this pain. If you listen you can feel connections. For example one of the connections that came to my mind on a previous run was that barefoot runners can never be as fast as a shod runner. The process I use is quite simple, and it goes like this; “I am sorry for holding on to the belief that barefoot runners cannot run as fast, or as long as runners who wear shoes, and I choose to give this away.” Where you send it is up to you. Pick something that is powerful for you emotionally. Then you need to choose a replacement; “I choose to believe that barefoot runners are not limited in speed and or endurance.” After saying this, and a few others like it, my next day’s run was my fastest to date.
Ok back to the run. By the time that I got to “The Ledges” and through the roundabout, the trail changed from asphalt to loose gravel and some patches of dirt. Normally I have been running without a hydration backpack, but today I had it on, and I had my minimal tied huaraches with me. I put them on, filled up my pack with water from a hose at the guard station and ran on. My speed picked up and I was confident that I was going to finish my first 20 mile run.
My black dog Pepper was also suffering the effects of the run. So I called in an extraction for him from my wife. I soon made it to the entrance to Snow Canyon State park and the downhill portion was to begin. The road going down into Snow Canyon is clean with no debris, but it is like running on skate board grip tape. My feet were in no condition to run on this surface. So I elected to continue running in my huaraches. I was also pondering the surface condition of the marathon course as I could see the surface of what I will be running on in two weeks. Could my feet be tough enough to run on this surface? As far as I know only three people have run this course barefoot. The most famous being Ken Bob Saxton.
My speed picked up again and so did the heat as it was noon. Once I got to the paved path inside the park, I took off the huaraches, and continued my run barefoot. The asphalt on the paved trail is smooth and debris free. This is what makes this run so fantastic as the scenery is magical. Very few places in the world can match the views from inside the park, and it is just 4 miles from my back yard. The trail winds its way out of the park through two wooden bridges and past a section of coral pink sand dunes. I made good time to the exit of the park. However, at the extraction point for Pepper I was hurting and I put my huaraches back on and exchanged my hydration pack for a water bottle. I was now off and running to finish the last five miles.
At the 17 mile marker I celebrated, and again, and again. Yes! I was getting closer and closer to my goal and I was feeling strong in my legs and lungs. Full marathon is doable I am thinking, but barefoot all of the way? My feet are tender as I turn in the last four miles. I run past my house, and loop back around to make the full 20 miles. I pick up the pace and push hard for the last 500 yards. YES!!!! What joy and elation… I did it and I feel good, well as good as you can feel after pushing your limits.
My parents bought a case of REV3 energy juice so I could try it out after my long runs. I have used it for the last three long runs (12+) and its has quite a catchy taste. I was craving the taste all the way home for the last 2 miles. It is carbonated and it seems to cut through the parched feel of my mouth. The taste is kind of fruity pomegranate. I am not one to rely on supplements, until recently. I was seriously bonking for 2-3 hours after each hard run. This REV3 stuff definitely makes a difference as a after run drink. I still need to find a good electrolyte supplement for during and after. I want to try what Ted McDonald is using.
Walking into my house I can feel my thighs, glutes, and calves tightening up stiff, much more than what I was experiencing when I was running. I will put a link for the REV3 sometime this week on the site if anyone is interested. I will also hope to add some pictures. I will post more as I get ready to run my first Marathon.
Thanks,
Michael Carroll
