Woodstock in September?
Hey all,
Did I read somewhere that there's a contingent going to Woodstock in September? I'd like to meet up, if possible. Going to do the marathon. Don't think I'll camp, though not sure. I need my beauty sleep, but would drive from Jackson. I'd be exhausted, but could hang out afterwards perhaps.
Let me know!
John
I just signed up for the 50K! Eep!
Good luck to you! I hope to do a 100 next summer. Looks like the races are all on the same paths, maybe we'll run into each other. I'll be the one with long hair in a ponytail. Not sure if I'm going BF or in huaraches. I know I can do a marathon BF in that terrain, but that extra round...not sure.
Cheers,
John
Finished the 50K! Six hours almost exactly. Stay tuned for a blog post.
Cheers to Rob for bring my Somerset Stampede medal!
Also: Nice to meet some folks from the sight, whose names I've forgotten already. I'm horrible with names.
John
Awesome, John! Congrats on a successful finish!
Running Nike Free 0.0
Here's the blog post link:
http://johnsbarefootrunningblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/woodstock-50k.html
It's long! Hope you enjoy!
John
Hey John, congrats on finishing the 50k! I was one of those folks you met just after the start. And I get you about remembering names. I talked for a bit with a guy who ran most of North Country with Jesse and I'll be danged if I can remember his name!
Congratulations on your BF 50K!
That sounds like a great race.
"Don't worry his feet are protected by a thick layer of dumb-ass."
I think it's awesome that you guys are meeting each other in person at these races. That's so cool and the number one reason the BRS exists. Warms my furry heart. 
Running Nike Free 0.0
Hey John!
Great job on your first ultra - and barefoot! Really enjoyed reading your report - it was fun to go back and see the race over again through another's eyes.
You caught my name right - Buzzie; still in transition. But, even so, I'm not sure that I would be doing 100 miles unshod - especially at the point we met (more than 80 miles in).
Made me happy to see you on the course. I don't think I saw anybody else barefoot or in huaraches/VFFs - of course, I was mostly hanging with a different crowd.
A foot injury sustained during a road half a week prior to Woodstock had me out there in full-fledged shoes - I couldn't have run a step without them (and, of course, shouldn't have been running at all). Foot coffins/casts do have their uses! 
I ran the first 4 loops (67 miles) in a new-to-me pair of Saucony Kilkenny x-country flats. Then, I switched to my old trail runners that had sat untouched since Burning River eight weeks prior. At that point, my feets were craving a little cushioning and the raised heel would help ease some of the strain on my Achilles tendons. The shoes (both pairs) made it possible for me to be out there and stay out there - for better or worse.
The other thing that made it possible for me to finish my first 100 was the physical benefit of having been training barefoot and in VFFs.
- The added strength in my feet, calves, and who-knows where else, helped lighten the load on other muscles.
- The form, although more difficult to maintain in shoes and with my injured foot, helped keep knee and other problems away. I also think the form helped protect me from blisters - my feet just weren't sliding and jamming in my shoes the way they used to. (The only casualty - and barely a blip on the radar - was one underlapping pinky toe.)
- The ability to relax (and reevaluate form) enabled me to nip issues in the bud - as a twinge of pain or tightness arose, I was able to just think the problem away. Additionally, for the entire 100 miles, I was able to relax and take every descent with ease - no fried quads, no pussy-footing. I was absolutely amazed that - even when I was barely moving - I was able to relax into and roll through every last downhill.
Re the food at 75 miles - none of it looks or sounds good by then. Most of us are just trying to find something that we can keep down.
Re the lack of acknowledgement/support for the folks who had been out all day and night - yeah, it was a bit of a bummer. But, I went in expecting it; knowing that this was NOT an ultra-centric (or terribly aware) race. It would have been nice if there was some PA acknowledgement made of at least the type of runner coming in... ooh, we've got a 100-miler (or a 50-miler or whatever) - something to get the crowd stirred up a little.
MTA - I was thrilled to run into Jason, waiting for Jesse, at the 8-mile aid station during my last night loop (mile 58). At that point, I'd been up for more than 24 hours, my feet were feeling a bit beat up, and my spirits were sagging...just seeing his familiar face gave me a real boost.
-Liz
An ultra runner's misadventures in living on the bright side... run what may
Buzzie,
A ha! That explains things. I didn't know you were a 100 miler! So it's true, you guys were mixed up with us at points. When you said something about another loop, I thought that meant you were doing the marathong. Hey, congrats! Man, I feel bad I didn't know at the time.
I'm I understandng you right that you spent two nights out? Or, how long did this take you???
You're my hero.
So, do you think you could do 100 in VFFs? Or did you really like the cushion of the shoes?
And yikes on 75 miles in. I would think you'd be starving. So, it's the opposite? Wow, just when you probably need the energy your body starts rejecting it?
I hope to see you again sometime!
John
I'll be there, doing the 100 (or some portion thereof).
-Liz
An ultra runner's misadventures in living on the bright side... run what may