Mt. Whitney Summitted Barefoot #3

Photo by Patrick Fitz




Last month while climbing Gorgonio, highest peak in SoCal, I suggested to Larry that he should try climbing Mt. Whitney barefoot. He had read of my previous successes, and as a 10 year barefooting veteran, I knew he was up to it.

Well, that's exactly what we did.

Larry and his family got a camp space in Lone Pine Campground (camp 38, same one as on July 4, 2005), got some permits and gave me a call. I was still a little sore after Friday night's all-night run, but could not think of turning down a chance to climb Whitney again.

I drove up from LA on Monday evening, had a bite to eat, went to bed, got up at 4am, started hiking by around 5:20am, got down by 2pm and was back on the road to LA by around 4pm and home by around 7pm. That is a LONG day.

I went up barefoot and came down wearing my Vibram FiveFinger Sprints. Larry came down wearing his BFT Huaraches. I got up and down in about 9 hours. It was a fantastic day.

Looking forward to climbing again. I am even thinking about attempting a dual summit climb, i.e., climbing to the summit twice in one day. Dreaming.

BFT

PS.
First Summit Report here
Second Report here
Great map here
Great Video of the Trail here
Whitney Portal Forum Link here

Pony Cart Adventures

Photo by Brian Fink

Took my pony cart for some extreme climbing on Sunday. Decided to strap 5 gallons of water (44 pounds) to the cart and pull her up La Tuna Canyon.

I am working hard to figure out the perfect way to pull a cart. Why? Because I want to do next year's Solo Badwater Ultramarathon self-supported, like Marshall Ulrich (see here). That means I would carry all my own water and food from the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, Badwater in Death Valley, 282 feet below sea level, all the way to the summit of Mt. Whitney, highest peak in the contiguous USA at 14,496 feet. Total mileage over 140 miles.

I really enjoy pulling the cart. I have created a special harness that has suspenders over my shoulders and a girdle that hugs my hips. When this is fitted just right, it feels good, and pulling is easy for me. Keeping the arms free is key. Also, going up hill is made easier with a walking cane.

This cart opens up all kinds of interesting possibilities for running off-road in the desert.

BFT

Pony Cart Transport Vehicle

Forefoot vs. Heel Striking

This clever animation created by the Newton Running Shoe Co. is pretty cool albeit necessarily oversimplistic.

I think that I agree with it as a barefoot runner, but personally believe that each runner has to figure it out on their own. Self-discovery through trial and error.

The Way of Running.

BFT

Hansen Dam Barefoot Training ala Methode Naturelle

Note: I am an extreme and total novice when it comes to MN. Please read the comments to this blog for emails exchanged between me and Erwan Le Corre about MN.

Please visit Erwan's website at methode-naturelle.com

Decided to take my video camera along for my Saturday afternoon run.

In this short video you will see a me running on all kinds of different terrain. I think that it is good to mix it up. Hansen Dam is the perfect training playground to develop your body and mind.

This video shows the beginnings of my interpretation and application of Georges Hebert's Methode Naturelle.

I hope to become a instructor/promoter of his ideas.

BFT

PS. Music comes from album PHARAOH OVERLORD The Battle Of The Axehammer (Live) I found at www.aquariusrecords.org

Verdugo Mountains Training Run - A Little Bit of Everything

Today's run had a little bit of everything:

Got in about 12 miles wearing huaraches, 8 miles barefoot and 5 with FiveFingers. The weather was perfect, hot but not too hot with winds blowing storm clouds in at the horizon.

Barefoot Freedom (at Experimental Forest)

Barefoot Freedom 2

Huaraches, Rock and Agave

FiveFingers Rail Walking (video below)

There are SO MANY great trails around here. I am looking forward to introducing more (but not TOO MANY) to this wonderful mountain playground we have in our backyards, with full-size cats to boot. These mountains deserve an ultramarathon. Winter 2008, let's make the first Verdugo Mountains 50 Miler.

Proposed Course: Start at Village Christian School go to Brand Library and on the way go down and up all the side trails.

BFT




Although it does not look like a big deal, that rail is razor thin at the top.
I just could not resist that background and my new joy of balancing.
Music by Deep Purple

20 Years Ago BFT had HAIR

I had hair! Photo by Graham Haber 1987

Yep, 20 years ago, I had hair...and barefeet.

Some things change, others don't.

BFT

Barefoot Rocks

Just wanted to make it perfectly clear that even though I am wearing Tarahumara huarache sandals these days, I am still able to barefoot in extreme situations. It is all about being light on your feet and focused.

As a matter of fact, until you are able to barefoot on hardcore trails, you will not have mastered the technique required to run in low profile, minimal shoes or sandals off-road, in my humble opinion.

BFT

PS. There is some sound at the very end of the video...for effect.

Christmas Rickshaw Ride

Christmas Rickshaw Ride

I got the ladies a rickshaw (pony cart) for Christmas.

I have been taking them on jaunts around the neighborhood. I am going to get strong pulling this thing around.

The cart is really nicely made. The handles are oak with leather. I bought it used from Mutiny Farms owner Bob LaBounty, the little farm with peacocks down the street. I am going to revarnish it and use it around the neighborhood...barefoot of course.

BFT

Mother Road 100 Completed 27:38:47

78 Miles Barefoot, 22 Miles Vibram FiveFingers


At the Start (Thanks Robin)

Running Route 66

The Mother Road

The Finish Line

Much more to come as I have time.

Looking forward to adding photos as friends that I met on the course send them.

Send to: ted@barefootted.com

BFT

My goal for this race was very simple: to finish. I had no pre-set time or strategy. I wanted to feel 100 miles of road. This year I have successfully accomplished my goal of tasting both a tough trail 100 mile run and a 100 mile road race. I know what to expect in the future.

Highlights:

1. Hillbillies Bed & Breakfast in Arcadia, OK

2. Drinking my complimentary Choc Beer at 6 am thinking that it was non-alcoholic.

3. Running 78 miles on Route 66 barefoot, the last 22 with my barefoot shoes called FiveFingers.

4. Getting lost...nearly impossible, but possible, with Jon Hulsey. He had a map!

5. Seeing the Carl's Jr. sign at the race finish.

6. The smiling faces and friendly folks found all along the Route.

7. It being so cold at night the water in my Camelbak tube was slushing up.

8. Lots of animals die along Route 66: skunks, armadillos, birds, raccoons, possums, snakes...

9. Meeting up with Louise Mason. Her MOJO helped me tremendously.

10. Running with Tom Christell and having his wife tell me to put on my shoes.

11. Getting a ride back to the airport by the Canadians John, John and Vincent, whom I met briefly at the Round Barn the morning of the race. Thanks.

12. Crossing the finish line with Fred Davis.

13. One can live off Hammer Gels and HEED if one chooses to do so.

14. Big thank you to Cynthia for making some KILLER pecan bars and date bars from scratch for the pre-race POWER. I fed on them all day Friday as I made my way to Arcadia. Thems were GOOD.


My email to the race director:

Howdy Thomas

Thank you for your crazy vision of putting on the Mother Road 100.

That was one unforgettable 24+ hour dose of Oklahoma that I will never forget.

I want to say thank you to all who made this possible. It is truly hard to believe how well everything went for a first time mega-event. Congratulations.

I have some incredible stories. As you know, I ran barefoot. I ran 78 miles barefoot and was feeling great out of the Bristow check-point.

Then we started going along those old sections of Route 66. I must admit, they were by far the biggest challenge for a barefoot runner, but still doable.

Just as I was coming up to the turn where Red and Sharon's BBQ is located I ran into Jon Hulsey who was looking at course maps. I figured this guy knows the way. By the way, out of Bristow, I passed at least 20 runners. I was feeling REAL good and running kept me warm.

Well Jon and I made a terrible mistake. Instead of going up 181st, Jon thought that we had yet another parallel section of old road, so we went left. There were no arrows pointing one way or the other, so I accepted his logic.

Remember I told you how I hated the old road, well this road made the old road sections that we ran on seem like butter. I was in agony, but figured it wouldn't last long as I cursed the texture of what I thought was the old route. On and on and on we went, up and down hills (20/20 tells me that would have been unusual for the Route). Each step draining me. Well, what seemed like miles later, the road finally became a field! We had gone terribly wrong. It was very depressing. My goal of running 100 miles totally barefoot was crushed. Now we had other problems. We were lost, we were cold and we had to go back on the same road. I had to put my back-up shoes on and accept my fate.

Finally, we got back to the intersection of 48 and 181. The police car with the Doc had been looking for us, but Jon was not able to explain where we had gone wrong. We were messed up. I was shivering uncontrollably and luckily got into an official's car and blasted the heater.

From that intersection, we were driven to Taturs by a race official. At Taturs, the Doc took care of my foot and Jon and I regained our composure. It took some persuading, but I was convinced that it was still doable. After sucking down a couple Hammer Gels, we were off again. Much worse for the wear, but not defeated, and I wanted my name on that shirt!!!

Thankfully, the motor started running again, and I was able to make it home. A Carl's Jr. sign never looked so good.

BFT

PS. I just finished doing some Google Earth measuring. It turns out that the road Jon and I took dead ended after 1.8 miles (so 3.6 miles out and back), plus, we tried to take another road out and had to turn back, so that added yet another 0.2+ miles. Finally, the road we were on was MUCH more difficult than the highway. At times it was turning into a sandy, rocky, hilly nightmare. My wife said that my favorite dog, Hercules, was whimpering for no reason around the same time I was suffering. I do not exaggerate when I say that that was the toughest stretch of running I have EVER done as far as pain goes.

Photo by Melissa (Warwick Aid Station- Mile 30)

NOTE: A huge thank you to SOLAR COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for helping make this adventure possible.

Running the Central California Coastline

Standing on Point Sal; Photo by Luis Escobar

A big thank you to El Coyote, Luis Escobar, for inviting us up to visit this weekend. What an awesome trip.

It all started on Thursday when Christopher McDougall, El Oso, flew into Burbank airport. He has been on a whirlwind trip interviewing runners for an upcoming book. On Wednesday, he was in Seattle having dinner with Scott Jurek. Thursday, Barefoot Ted in Los Angeles. Friday, Luis Escobar in Santa Maria. We represented the tail end of a trip that had been going on for weeks.

My goal was to give El Oso a quick and dirty glimpse of my home turf. I introduced him to my family, showed him around our urban chitty-chitty-bang-bang compound and then gave him the gestault version of my running territory.

What I hoped to get him to see was that even in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world, one could find incredible niches where all the healing power of nature and trails could be found. He definitely got a good taste.

Point Sal from another vantage point; Photo by Ronald Williams

On Friday, we got up early and headed north to meet with Luis in Santa Maria. We spent the day with the Righetti High School Cross Country Team. They competted in the Santa Barbara County championships. Boys came in second place. I was very pleased to meet all of them. Apparently I have become a mini-celebrity for their team. Luis has been letting them do some barefoot training.


Friday night we dined on flatbread pizza and local wines at a restaurant in Los Alamos called American Flatbread. All I can say is that there is at least one reason I can think of for having more money and that would be to be able to eat food and drink wine like that more often.

Saturday morning up at 5:30am. We were off to Point Sal to do some cow trail running along the coast. California's central coast is gorgeous and pristine. Our 12 mile loop started a bit rough on rocky pavement in the dark. I had forgotten to bring my FiveFingers, so I was committed to whatever the trail would hand me. Thankfully, the road turned into a trail of sand, the softest, lushest sand one could hope for. It was like running on cool clotted cream.


Down to the rocky coast we headed all the way to Point Sal itself, and then along sheer cliffs to get a closer look at the massive rock called Lion Rock filled with seals and pelicans.

Coming back the trail got tougher, both in steepness and texture. We were running along the crest of mountains. The rocks were small broken cubit chunks. They did not want to be friends with my feet, but I persisted and got through unscathed.

Sugar, the wonder trail-running dog

Thanks to Luis and his friends, Jeff and Jeff, for a great time and to Sugar, Luis' Jack Russell Terrier.

BFT

Photos by Luis Escobar of Reflections Photography Studio in Santa Maria, CA unless marked otherwise

PS. Further research on Point Sal and environs leg me to the website of eco-hooligan (self-described) of Bill Denneen who runs a hostel near Point Sal. Very interesting character I hope to run into in the future.

Some photos from his site and his friend's site below:

Bill at the Winter Soltice Dunes Hike
Photo by Robert Bernstein


We Need to Go Back to Our Roots

Methode Naturelle : Georges Hebert 1875-1957

"One's got to be strong to be useful, not only to oneself, but to others" GH



from www.methode-naturelle.com

"Any person", whoever he is, if he really wants to live his life to the full of his abilities, has towards himself some physical duties to fulfill, just as he has, in another point of view, some moral duties to perform and some social obligations to respect. These duties constitute physical morality. They can be embodied in a double formula: to develop oneself and to preserve oneself in order to be able to help others.

Appearing in France in 1905 and elaborated by Georges Herbert (1875-1957), the Natural Method is more than a simple concept of training for the body, it is a genuine physical and moral education method, based upon reliable experience and on over a century of history. Here is the definition given by the inventor himself:

A methodical, progressive/graduated and continuous action, from childhood to adulthood, aiming to ensure integral physical development; to increase organic resistances; to highlight the aptitudes in all kind of indispensable exercises, both natural and utilitarian; to develop the energy and all the other qualities of action; finally to subordinate all physical and manly gain to an idea of a prevailing moral: altruism!

Training by The Natural Method privileges movement in all its forms. The exercises are classified into 10 families which are:

Walking
Running
Jumping
Climbing
Quadrupedal movement ( moving on all 4 limbs)
Balancing
Lifting
Throwing
Defense
Swimming

All these exercises flow from one to another during a session of 40 to 60 minutes and enable complete and utilitarian physical development. Moving about, flexibility, freedom of individual action, continuity, alternation of effort and graduation of the intensity of work are the main teaching principles of the method. The sessions take place preferably outdoors in purpose-built spaces or not, but can also be held inside for reasons of convenience.

The Natural Method is intended for people of any condition regardless of age, sex or starting level of fitness. It has a practical and immediate application in everyday life, as well as in emergencies or danger, giving the ability to assist others in whatever form.

The motto of the method, to be strong to be useful, is in fact the condensed formula of the following sentence:

"One's got to be strong to be useful, not only to oneself, but to others".

More can be found at http://www.methode-naturelle.com/

Learn more about Georges Hebert here.

BFT

Erwan in Corsica

Barefooting the Grand Canyon

A big thank you to Jay Anderson, ultrarunner and RD of the Orange Curtain 100k and 50k races, and Tracy Bahr, a true ultrarunning champion, for allowing me to join in on a Grand Canyon adventure weekend.

If you ask the question, "Can one run down the Grand Canyon barefoot?", the answer would be yes. If you ask the question, "Should one run down the Grand Canyon barefoot?", the answer should be, "Hell no!"


Due to car troubles, we started 6 hours later than we had expected at around 11:30. Even though we didn't know it yet, it meant that we would not have time to do a rim to rim to rim run. Thanks to a nice couple from Tucson for giving us a lift to the trailhead. We crammed 6 people into a compact car. Nothing was going to stop us.

Running down the Bright Angel trail, barefoot, was certainly one of the most difficult things I have done barefoot. Going up the South Kaibab trail barefoot was fine. As I have said a thousand times, going up is always easier than going down on rocky terrain when barefoot.


Why was it so difficult? Well, it was not just that the trail was quite rocky and steep, two things that already made it difficult, but it was also filled with hikers, so I did not have the whole trail to select from when trying to find sweet spots to place my foot. Sometimes we would have to run off to the side of the trail to make room for hikers. That was hard.

I nearly made it to the bottom barefoot, but we came upon a mule train. At that point, I decided I had better put on my FiveFingers in order to help navigate around the mules, plus the trail was REALLY getting to me.


Less than a quarter mile after putting on my shoes, we reached a barefooters paradise: a river sand trail paralleling the river for another 1/4 mile until we got to a bridge to cross the river.

While running down the trail, all I could do was breath and focus. I had no time for anything else. Literally every step had to be thought out and executed consciously. There were a lot of opportunities for disaster. Is this zen?


When we finally got to Phantom Ranch, it was becoming clear to us that we would not have time to continue our journey to the North Rim, so we decided to return to the South Rim via the South Kaibab trail.

Coming down Bright Angel, I had not been drinking enough. I started up the South Kaibab feeling pretty damn good; however, I was sweating a lot, and since I was only wearing a singlet, the sweat was just pouring off me and not having time to cool me. When I sweat this much, I can get in trouble fast, especially if I have not been managing my electrolyte intake.


Sure enough, after feeling really good at the beginning of the uphill, I started feeling crampy. I was not peeing. So, I started drinking, but it was nearly too late. Lesson: manage your electrolytes and wear clothing that traps moisture and holds it so that it evaporates on the skin.

6 hours and 20 minutes later we were back at the top of the South Rim. It was cold and dark, and we were damn lucky to have made it in time for one of the last shuttles. In the van-shuttle bringing us to our hotel, we were comparing stories with other hikers. One guy said that he had seen a guy running down the trail barefoot. None of his companions believed him. I enjoyed egging him on a little. We had a good laugh when it was revealed that he had not been hallucinating.


As with most adventures, the location is just one part of the enjoyment, the other major part is being able to commune with other runners. Sharing and comparing life stories with travel companions is one of the most interesting things you can do. Each person represents a fascinating tale waiting to be told. When stories begin to intermingle, well, that just borders on miraculous.

BFT

PS. For the complete set of photos, click here.

REVISED: Each Critter Unique - The Journey

Each Critter UNIQUE (it means you are unique, so don't try to be
someone or something you are not) - The Journey

How to learn to run well?

Run...a lot...or a little.

Run 10000 miles a week.

Run 28 hours a day.

Run 100 feet a week.

Run 10 minutes a day.

Run.

What happens?

You learn to run well for yourself.

Your body is unique in the universe. No one else can know it like you can.

So, run, and run without injury. Listen to your body. Listen, listen, listen.

What happens?

You learn to run well.

Guess what?

Running evolves all the time, even within a long run.

Watch it evolve and learn from it.

Gain wisdom from others, yes, but realize, you are you and you gotta
figure it out for YOURSELF.

So run and run and run and then run some more. You become an expert
for you...only.

After a while, you will get stronger, or not. Adjust, or not.

It takes a lifetime.

BFT

PS. This post was originally posted on the RunningBarefoot forum.

Barefoot at Boston Marathon in 1947

Howdy Folks

I just got off the phone with Mr. Donald Post also known as "Barefoot" Post.

He ran the Boston Marathon barefoot in 1947, but dropped out after 15 miles when he realized that he was not going to win, "there were just too many professionals and foreign runners that year", said Mr. Post. So, instead of continuing fruitlessly, he decided to go and watch a Boston Braves baseball game instead...barefoot.

He was well-known as a barefoot baseball player who trained barefoot.

He ran the marathon because he thought he had a chance to win.

Here are a few snippets from newspapers of the day:

from The Berkshire Evening Eagle on Saturday, April 19, 1947
(Pittsfield, Massachusetts)

Read the last sentence...

156 Starters In Annual Boston Run 51st Marathon Gets Off in 47-Degree
Weather BOSTON A classy field of including 6 former winners 156, and
the finest foreign delegation in years, started from Hopkinton at noon
today in the 51st renewal of the Boston AA marathon, the city's top
annual Patriot's Day event. A spanking northwest breeze chilled the
runners as they began the 26-mile 385-yard grind to Boston's Back Bay
m 47-degree weather over a hill-and-dale course lined with a Patriot's
Day crowd of some 500 000. Among 28 scratches were two standout
performers two-time winner Ellison (Tarzan) Brown of Rhode Island and
Ki Chung Sohm, one "of three Korean contenders. Brown dropped out
because of a sprained ankle while the Korean, the Olympic
record-holder, was reported ill. Stylianos Kynakides of Greece, last
year's winner, and most of the other favorites were deep in the pack
as the classic got under way. Running barefoot as the field broke
under the starter's gun was Donald A. Post of Rochester, N.Y. He was
the only man to discard shoes.

from The Lethbridge Herald on Wednesday, May 21, 1947 (Lethbridge,Alberta)

Money has been pumped into the Barefoot Runner Enters Marathon
TORONTO. May 21 A. Post won't need running shoes to bound through the
26 miles of the Canadian marathon championship to be held here in June.
He is going to run barefoot. Barefoot Post, as he's called is a 22-year-old
Navy veteran from Rochester. N.Y.. who stars down there in the local
sports club as a barefoot performer in football, basketball, softball
and baseball. Post made his first cross-country attempt, barefoot
style, in the Boston marathon last month, but fell out after a mere 15
miles. Also scheduled to run here are the two outstanding Finnish
marathoners.

BFT...finding new barefoot history

The Barefoot Runners

Found this bizarre little amateur film/video/animation by Out of Focus Films. Had to add it. Music by Projectojil Film by Filipey

BFT

Stupid Cat Tricks

Yep, that's our cat Godiva in the baby jogger. She loves getting pushed around. At first I thought it was just a fluke, but then she started going to the jogger by herself and waiting until someone pushed her. Now that's a great cat. As she rides along, she likes to really relax and lounge.

Hansen Dam a Barefooter's Paradise

Hansen Dam a Barefooter's Paradise


I sure hope to see some of you barefooters come out to my area for a visit. I have some really fantastic trails and areas near my house, especially when you consider I live 15 minutes away from downtown Los Angeles!

To see more photos of "my" Hansen Dam, click here.

BFT

PS. New video of the drive from my house to Hansen Dam via Stonehurst Ave. driving the my trusty 1966 VW Beetle. Nothing special.

AC 100 Training Run Completed

From Eagle's Roost to Shortcut Saddle - 25 miles.

Yesterday I put in 22 miles barefoot during an Angeles Crest 100 training run. I finally put on my FiveFingers after the terrain started getting really nasty, i.e., steep, sharp rocky downhills.

It's nice to carry a backup pair of FFs as an insurance policy when things get too rough. Once I put them on, it was smooth sailing to the finish.

Thanks to Camilla and Michelle for camaraderie.

BFT

San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon

Howdy Folks

Ran the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon Sunday. It was a HUGE street party with live rock music all along the route.

I ran the entire race essentially as a pacer for the famous Barefoot Ken Bob. Believe it or not, he ran a marathon on Saturday in Indiana, got on a plane and flew to San Diego to run his second marathon in one weekend.

I knew that he was going to have difficulties. I thought it would be fun to run with him. He is what I would call a social runner. He loves to talk with other runners all through the race. His idea of a marathon is to have fun. Well, I had a great time running with him. Naturally, my FiveFingers with Injinji socks got a lot of attention, too.

For the last 10 miles I was doing my best to keep Barefoot Ken Bob going. Took nearly 5 hours (4:45). That was a long time to be running on pavement.

Photos and more reporting as time permits.

BFT


Pacing Barefoot KenBob to the Finish
TWO MARATHONS in TWO DAYS...BAREFOOT

PS. A big thank you to Vibram for sponsoring this race and thanks to my cousin Robert and his beautiful family for taking good care of me.

Nike Podcast Interviews at Griffith Park

Photos by Ona McDonald







Today many of us Wild Mountain Runners were interviewed for a Nike sponsored podcast featuring running groups from all over the country.

We were joined by the famous Barefoot KenBob of RunningBarefoot.org

Some runners did not participate, because they thought that their endorsement contracts did not allow them to be in a Nike sponsored film, even though it was not a ad. I thought that was strange, but more room for us hams to yap.

After the group interview, they also interviewd me about ultra running (which I am new at). They decided to use the backdrop of my infamous 1966 VW Beetle. I proudly wore my Clif Bar visor and my Vibram FiveFingers jersey, shoes and shorts.

Any inspiration I can give, I will give. Hopefully it is not all hot air!

Best Regards, Barefoot Ted

March 5, 2006 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon

Photos by Luis Escobar

























March 5, 2006 Copper Canyon Run and Ultra Marathon:
Course description: Urique canyon version


Photo by Luis Escobar


Find more about this year's race here.



Race Director Micah True from http://caballoblanco.com writes:

In an effort to get more runners to come down and run with us, and allow for a quality experience for spectators, we have eliminated the previous EXTREME element of this run, which was a hard, very gnarly, potentially dangerous [and beautiful!], point-to-point, canyon-to-canyon run. I will still be offering this hike to back-packers, fast-packers, and runners, on private trips. No racing please!

The run will now be on a combination dirt road and single track trail beginning and ending in the plaza of the old town of Urique, running on rolling dirt road up and down the Urique river with diversions on single track trail up and down beautiful, lush arroyos [side canyons]. The race will consist of a 17 1/2 mile out and back loop up-river, followed by another 18 mile loop down-river, then continue up-river again on rough dirt road on another 10 miles out and back to the Tarahumara village of Guadalupe Coronado, before ending in the plaza of the town of Urique.

The Ultra Marathon version of the race will be about 45+ miles. There will be the shorter 17+ mile version and the 35 miler as well for those of us who may be a little less "hard-core". With this format, runners and spectators will have the opportunity to see the progress of the race as it unfolds, and the run will be much safer and easier to manage aid stations, with better access to emergency vehicles, etc.

The two separate trail sections will be beautiful, rolling single track, each climbing around 1,200 feet in about 3 1/2 miles, then descending the same, back to what would be considered unimproved dirt-road, beginning and ending in the town plaza of the deep canyon town of Urique, where we will meet in the evening for the awards presentation. The turn-around points will be the Tarahumara village of Guadalupe Coronado, up-river; then back a few miles across the river on a suspension bridge, diverting a few miles up the lush arroyo Mescalera on lovely single-track trail to another smaller suspension bridge before looping back to the town plaza of Urique; then following the dirt road down-river for almost 6 miles before crossing the river [IN the river], running cross-country up a rocky arroyo with minimal trail until spotting the narrow dirt trail leading up another 3 miles or so to the beautiful rancho "Los Alisos", where sweet, vine-ripened grapefruit abounds!

Runners will check in at Los Alisos, which will have radio contact to Urique, take aid and return [carefully!] on the trail to the river where they will cross and run back up-river to Urique at the 35 mile mark, take more aid, and continue 5 miles to the village of Guadalupe Coronado again, returning on what could at this point be some pretty good "death" hills, to the cheering finish of the race in the plaza of Urique.

Cerveza and Frijoles!

Mt. Whitney Redone - UPDATE

Update! Just in, photo of me on the summit.




Me at the top with my sandals ready to go down

Photo by Greg Kloes

Howdy Folks

Yep, I went and climbed Mt. Whitney again, 3 weeks after my first summit on July 4th. Things went MUCH smoother this time. Last time, it took over 8 hours to get to the summit. This time it only took 3 hours and 45 minutes to get to the top! It really helps to be going up during the day. Also, most of the snow is now gone.

I am awaiting photos from various folks whom I met on the way up and down who took photos of me for this blog.


Photo by Tom Inskeep
Somewhere on Trail Crest coming down with sandals


Close-up of sandals and little blood

Thanks to Jed Charlesworth who took this photo of me at the end of my run. The blue thing on my neck is a foot-shaped felt cut-out filled with white sage that my daughter made for me for Father's Day. I have worn it for good luck both times up. It works.


Home free
click to enlarge

Jed was taking photos of another couple who had just finished a multiple week hike on the John Muir Trail. They had met me 3 weeks ago on the Trail Crest. Apparently, in my nearly delusional state, I was telling everyone I met up there that the sign that says 1.9 miles to the summit should read one point nine hundred miles!

I did wear my sandals coming down. I am too impatient to come down barefoot.

More photos and stories soon.

To read my report and read comments at the Whitney Portal Discussion Board, click here.

Best, Barefoot Ted

purEndurance Run from Malibu Canyon to Will Rogers 25 Miles

photos by Andy Kumeda

Hansen Dam Cross Country 10 Miler

click to enlarge

Beautiful day for a run. The course we ran today included crossing a dry river and running in very rocky, sandy terrain. The entire run was off-road.

Best, Barefoot Ted

Santa Clarita Marathon - Boston Qualifier

Very happy to report my 3:16:57 (chip-time) marathon, qualifying me for next year's Boston Marathon! I set out to do at least 3:20:00 and did it.


Embarassing Award Moment

After the race, I was originally reported as being third in my division. I found it hard to believe, but I wasn't going to turn down a plaque. When the announcer asked those who placed to come forward, I went up. When he checked my name, he said I was no longer third. Very awkward moment.



Offical Results Click Here

Reporter from the Los Angeles Daily News wrote a little about it here (see tail end of her article).

Best, Barefoot Ted

2005 Long Beach Marathon

Joe Seeley 33-M 1779 Marathon 3:45:42 click for photos
Ken Saxton 50-M 1753 Marathon 4:08:00 click for photos
Barefoot-Rick Roeber 49-M 1674 Marathon 4:14:30 click for photos
Barefoot Ted 41-M Unofficial Marathon 3:35


Crazy day. Looked like rain, but rain didn't come til late.

Got up at 5:30am. Typical for Sundays. Running time. Left house at 6:00am wearing my red, Los Angeles City Lifeguard Shorts. A run at the beach deserves no less.

I was late to the race. Not because of poor planning. Parking was awful. I was in traffic coming off the freeway for nearly 45 minutes! Found a possibly illegal parking space up on a pebble-filled embankment next to a full parking lot. No signs were posted, and I hoped that they would be understanding. No damage done. Got out of the car not knowing where or how far the starting line was, started running with a mini insulated backpack filled with nearly a 1/2 gallon of Gookinaid®, and a bunch of unnecessary food.

Ran into a few other panicky runners trying to find the starting line for a race that had already started! One guy was removing his warm up suit while running down the street. We ran down a steep street, through a parking garage, accross a parking lot, and through a little park overlooking a huge pond before we even saw the starting area. I was loosing it.

When I arrived at the starting area, the race was already five minutes old. Fencing prevented me from crossing over the road to drop my bag off at the Snails Pace tent. I finally got across, I found the tent, dropped off my stuff, and started running. No time to stretch, no time to use the restroom, no time to eat or drink. Adrenaline. The first barefooter I ran into was Barefoot Todd who was coaching a group of runners. He said that the rest of the group were ahead about 100 yards. I was so happy that I was going to be able to catch up with them.

Caught up with everybody. Decided that I was going to run with Barefoot Rick to help him get a Boston Qualifying 3:35 marathon. Off we went, swerving through 1000s on narrow, but very barefoot friendly, streets and paths.

At around mile 6, BR said that it was feeling too hot for him to do a fast race. For a inland living Southern Californian, I was not hot at all, at least as we ran along the beach, right next to the sand.

I was feeling good, comfortably maintaining a 3:35 finish pace and then some. I figured I would hold it as long as possible. Trying to learn more about how my body handles the marathon.

The marathon is a medium through which a man can express and test the depth of his soul and body, his very spirit.

I was now running with Ken and Joe. Ken was looking real good, but he kept insisting that we were going too fast. Joe was working very hard to keep up. His form was getting a little rough, but he made up for it with strength of will.

At around mile 16, Ken started to slow, mostly because he was having conversations with friends who were everywhere. For Ken, a marathon truly is a party, saying hello to old friends and meeting new ones for the entire 26 miles!

Since I was unofficial, I was doing my best to thank the volunteers for all they were doing. The last 10 miles were lonely for me. I decided to start walking and wait for a barefoot runner to cross the finish line with. I stopped running halfway to the 25 mile marker at 3:14. I was experiencing some cramping, but nothing serious.

At around 3:35 near mile 25, here comes Joe. He was working it, fully determined to do his best. He was very happy to see me. I was feeling fresh again from my walk and got up with him and paced him in. We came down the last hill together in lockstep. They announced two barefoot runners, and the crowd cheered.

As we crossed the line, I quickly made a left to avoid being handed a medal, and walked over to the Snails Pace Tent.

Had a post race talk with Joe. I am sure he will have better marathons in the future as he perfects his form. Both of us had family engagements that prevented us from attending Ken's party, but I am sure they are still having a good time now.

Really wish I could have spent more time with Rick. In the end, I ran the race he wanted to, and who knows, if he would have caught up, it would have been even better than a perfect day.

Read Barefoot Ken Bob's Race Report here.

Read Barefoot Rick's Race Report here.

Best to All, Barefoot Ted

Big Tujunga Canyon 20 Miler

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Beautiful weather. Freddie and I ran up to the second bridge for a total of 20 road miles. The others ran over to the lake.

I wore some experimental sock/shoes on the downhill section to spare my feet.

--Barefoot Ted

Olive View Hospital to San Fernando Rd. Loop 14 Mile Road Run

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Road run. Dago, Ruben and Mario start us off fast on this rolling hill course. Many sub 7 minute miles before the hills.

--Barefoot Ted