Barefoot Ted's Adventures

Why Huaraches?

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Yes, most of you know me as a barefoot runner or a runner who endorses Vibram FiveFingers barefoot shoes. Both of these things are true. But I have been fascinated by the Tarahumara (Raramuri) Indians' footwear known as huaraches (or in the native tongue akaraches, ah-ka-ra-cheese) for a long time.

Running in Huaraches

My fascination with huarache sandals goes back to when I first read about some Tarahumara who had run the Angeles Crest 100 mile trail race wearing such seemingly unconventional footwear. How could it be done? Didn't they need more support? What about cushioning?

My research eventually led me to try barefoot running. A decision that led to great improvements in my running ability. Learning how to run well barefoot seems to be a fundamental first step in finding the best way to move your body on two legs, a fundamental step that is the beginning of a path of stronger and healthier running and living.

But what about rocky trails? What about urban environments and hard surfaces? Is barefoot always best?

Some folks enjoy being purists. They want to be barefoot everywhere and always. It can be done and is a viable option. However, I think some of the purists make the mistake of assuming that ALL footwear is bad in All situations. True, so much of the sports shoe industry has been built on junk science and mass marketing, but does that mean all footwear is bad? No, I don't think so. I am looking for balance.

My thinking has led me to study indigenous people and the footwear they use. You can learn a lot by studying shoes worn by people who survive on their feet, people who rely on their speed and agility for survival. The Tarahumara of Northern Mexico are such a people. They don't use footwear because of brands or logos, they pick it for practicality and effectiveness. It is always quite comforting to find shoe designs that have lasted for generations, footwear designs that are made by the people who wear them. The huarache or akarache is such a thing.

Other times and places have come up with designs and materials best suited for those environments. Yet, the huarache is designed and worn by people known for their long-distance, mountain running skills, worn by a people whose name for themselves, Raramuri, means fleet of foot. The fact that these proud running people wear huaraches made it clear to me that I was going to have to give them a try.

My first opportunity to try huaraches came in March 2006 on my first visit to the Copper Canyon. I was invited to participate in the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon put on by Micah True a.k.a Caballo Blanco in the town of Urique deep in the heart of the Sierra Tarahumara. While on the trip, I spent a lot of time trying to understand the huaraches. I even got so lucky as to have famed Tarahumara runner Manuel Luna make me a pair of huaraches. That started my love affair with these amazing sandals.

So, starting in April 2006, I began trying to run in the huaraches that Manuel had made for me. It was not easy learning how to tie them. I made a lot of mistakes. Furthermore, the pair he made for me were quite heavy, for he used the thickest, most expensive tire tread available (you buy section of used tire tread in little shops in Urique. They display the pieces like dried fish on hooks...He picked the best for me, so he thought).

I started imagining that perhaps there was a better material to make huaraches. I talked with one of Vibram's sole designers and asked if he had any material that he thought might work as a sandal sole. He sent me some stuff that I tested and liked. I have been experimenting ever since trying to find the perfect balance of lightweight, grip, cushion, style and strength.

Then I went back to the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon in 2007. This time I ran the race in a pair of my own huaraches. I also paid even more attention to the Tarahumara, learning the nuances of tying and designing the huaraches. This was a fantastic experience and greatly deepened my understanding and appreciation of the sandals.

I started selling huarache sandal-making kits and started making custom huaraches, learning as I went. I started experimenting with different sole materials and different strapping materials and different ways of building the sandals. I shared what I knew as I went forward and learned a lot from others on the internet.

At the same time I kept testing and using Vibram's FiveFinger shoes. They helped me to complete the Angeles Crest 100 mile race two years in a row. Something that I knew I could not do barefoot, and something that I was not sure my sandals where ready for.

Now I have come to the point where I think I have learned how to make a sandal that can handle the rigors of a 100 mile trail race. My newest huaraches sport a leather top footbed to add strength to the sides and comfort. I am also quite intriqued with a new neoprene sole material that is lightweight (less than 4 ounces) with surfside sand-like cushioning and strength. I think they are the best ever.

I believe that there are a growing number of runners and outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for time-tested solutions to the challenge of traveling on foot over rugged terrain. The huarache is a viable alternative, and it is an alternative that you can learn how to make yourself.

The sandals I am wearing in the photos above are my 6mm Vibram neoprene soled huaraches with leather footbed (for strength) and leather laces.

BFT

PS. You can get a kit to make your own huaraches here. There are also instructions on how to make a pair to download for free.

PSS. You can learn how to tie you huaraches here.

White River 50 Mile Trail Run and Skateboard Training

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:48:00 +0000

Photo by Glenn Tachiyama

What was I thinking? I have not been running much since April. Skateboarding took over my life starting in May. Yet I am signed up to run the Leadville 100 miler next month in Colorado, so I had to find out if I could still run trails.

Question: Can one train for a 100 mile trail run with just long distance skateboard training and one long trail run? Answer: probably.

I planned on doing this run with a new pair of huaraches I had just made using a new Vibram sole material that is super lightweight and 7mm thick with a beautiful leather footbed that I added. Barefoot Jon had warned me about parts of the course that were hard fire road with sharp pebbles on a long downhill. No fun. I was going to bring my FiveFinger KSOs along in case I had a huarache malfunction.

Well, I had worse than a huarache malfunction... I forgot to bring my huaraches!!! Left them in the kitchen. Ouch!

So, I was going to have to run with a new pair of KSOs...2mm of sole.

I had problems with my KSOs. My little toes were not staying in the toe holes and I had failed to trim my toenails thoughtfully and it was starting to bother me through the race.

This race consists of two loops, both starting at Buck Creek. Each loop consists basically of a big climb and then a big descent. My first big mistake of the day came when I decided to follow a lady down the first loop. We ran FAST, real fast. It was fun, but not having a lot of trail training in my legs, it took its toll. I was very sore coming out of Buck Creek to start the second climb. The soreness remained throughout the rest of the race and prevented me from picking up the pace.

Conclusion: Long distance skateboard pumping is not the best way to train for a mountain trail ultra marathon. My endurance seemed to be intact, but my speed was greatly diminished and my quads were not trained to work well on the downhills.

I long to get back out on the trails testing some of my new huarache sandals. I am determined to find a way to eventually run a 100 mile race in shoes (sandals) that I have made myself.

BFT

My race registration fees and travel expenses for this race were paid for by SCI International: Technology without Intrusion. They are famous for building cellular towers that blend into the environment, helping to hide what can be the ugly side of the wireless world we live in. Thank you very much.

Technology Without Intrusion

Seattle to Portland on a Skateboard: STP 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:31:00 +0000

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, or STP, is an annual one and two day supported bicycle ride from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon in the United States. The STP "is considered one of the 10 biggest recreational bicycle rides in the country, drawing riders from across the nation and from other nations", and has been operating for more than 25 years and is organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club. It is approximately 200 miles (322 km) in length. Most riders complete the distance in two days; however, about 15% complete the ride in one day. Only two have completed it on skateboards (see below).

James Peters of PavedWave.org (see excellent Seattle Times story here) and Barefoot Ted
Photo by Dave Nottingham around mile 165

A full report to come soon. James Peters and I did the entire STP course on skateboard. What a trip!!!

Photo by Dave Nottingham

Many folks took photos of us and we are looking forward to receiving photos to add to our blogs and record the history.

TOPICS (to be expanded on?):

IT'S THE JOURNEY DUDE: SPIRITUAL ENDURANCE

ALIEN TECHNOLOGY: THE BICYCLE

LONG DISTANCE PUMPING: NATURE'S ANALOGS

NUTRITION | HYDRATION | ELECTROLYTES | FRUIT

FOOT POWER

THE ROLE OF HUMOR IN TRAVEL

EXPANDING THE POSSIBLE: THE IMPORTANCE OF INSPIRATION

MEDITATION FOCUS AND THE EVER CHANGING ROAD

SYNERGY: THE MAGIC OF FRIENDS

Photo by Craig Howard somewhere near Spanaway, WA

JUNE 14th, 24-HOUR ULTRASKATE IV - World Record Set

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:31:00 +0000

Photo by Taylor Barrett, more of his photos here.

Beyond my expectations...I set a new world record for 24 hour distance skateboarding...242 miles at this years Ultraskate IV... Find more information at PavedWave.org...

from PavedWave.org forum...

Howdy Folks

Slept a lot yesterday, but feel fine today.

Went skateboarding over at Volunteer Park. Really enjoyed it...even feeling stronger.

A HUGE HUGE thank you to James Peters and all the crew in Seattle. It is hard to believe that I had never even heard of Long Distance Pumping before April 1st this year! What a blessing to have met James on that day at Green Lake.

Couple weeks later, James lets me borrow that magic board. My gawd what a beautiful, magical thing it is...Subsonic Pulse 40.

After James let me borrow the board, I rode like a maniac for days and days...crashed...took a couple weeks to recover...went to LA for some healing sun and great training rides...and then back to Seattle.

I am going to write down more about my experience during the ride, but just to let everyone know my secrets:

1. Be sure you have an excellent LDP (long distance pumping) board...I did (see Subsonic Pulse 40).

2. Train yourself to run an ultramarathon...i.e., learn how to pace youself for a full 24 hours

3. Study about 24 hour nutrition and hydration and electrolyte needs. Nutrition is key. In my case, I relied on my own special sports nutrition drink mix which includes maltodextrin, soy or hemp protein powder, Green Magma powder and Rehydration Salts. I also ate GU's and Hammer Gels and drank some coffee. I also took two Advil during the race and 1 Succeed! S-Cap every 2 hours.

4. Have strong healthy feet...and let them have the freedom to move around to get blood flowing everywhere...that's why I wore my Vibram FiveFinger shoes...allowed my foot to do what it does best.

I went into the event just trying to see what it would be like to go 100 miles..., but the weather was perfect and the energy strong. I just could feel Eric Lowell's energy and his energy got me inspired to keep going too. I was determined to go the full 24 hours and Eric helped me have someone to follow.

After some rest and some skating today, I have come to the conclusion that someday, someone in this sport is going to achieve 300 miles in 24 hours. Before yesterday, I would have said that 220 is impossible...

So all you out there, live strong and push the envelope of the possible...

Look forward to seeing you on the giant paved wave...

BFT

PS. A big thank you goes out to my cousin Robert Renfro and SCI, Technology Without Intrusion for sponsoring my travel to this event.

Photo by Taylor Barrett, more of his photos here.

FiveFingers as a Skateboard shoe

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:59:00 +0000

The biggest problem with using Vibram (pronounced vee-brum) FiveFinger barefoot shoes as skateboard shoes is if you have to do a lot of foot braking (foot braking involves using the shoe sole to slow down the skateboard). Foot braking can quickly wearout any skateboard shoe and it is especially true with the thin soles found on the FiveFingers.

The solution is simple.

I have been using Sure Foot stick on sole patches. They fit perfectly on the ball of the FFs and help slow down wear and tear.

I have been doing a lot of skateboarding (long distance pumping) with and without FiveFingers. If I am on a course the will require no foot braking, I go barefoot. It is the purest way to skate.

BFT

Long Distance Pumping in San Pedro, California
see map below

View Larger Map

Earthing™ Technology

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:01:00 +0000

I was contacted a couple months ago by a company called Barefoot Connections™. They manufacture bed sheets and recovery bags that allow people to sleep as-if they were sleeping ON the earth, i.e., grounded. Apparently there are health benefits for being grounded to the earth and science seems to be backing them up.

I know that since going barefoot nearly full time several years ago, my own health has improved significantly, so I agreed to try their products and am pleased with what I have discovered.

Read more below, or click here to visit their site and see the products they offer. I get a commission for all sales from my site, so if you are intrigued, by all means give their system a try. Even the USPS Tour de France coach had his riders using the system, so something good is coming of it.

Earthing™ Technology – What is Earthing™?

Many people have noticed that they feel better when they spend time barefoot in the outdoors. Now we know why!

Earthing™ (re-connecting with the earth) is a recent idea. It is based on scientific evidence confirming the long-suspected necessity for barefoot contact with the earth. Modern science has determined that standing barefoot on the earth (or otherwise connecting to the natural frequencies of the earth) has a wide variety of effects on the human body.

Standing barefoot on the earth (or otherwise connecting to the natural frequencies of the earth) connects the human body with an unlimited supply of free electrons resident in and on the surface of the earth. Standing barefoot on the earth also connects the human body with rhythmic cycles of the earth’s energy field. These are essential for synchronizing biological clocks, hormonal cycles and physiological rhythms.

Because our modern lifestyle prohibits most people from spending time in direct contact with the earth, Barefoot Connections™ products were designed to help make the connection – in the comfort of your own home or work place. In today’s world, re-connecting with the earth (Earthing™) could be one of the most important things you do!

Click here to see and purchase Barefoot Connection products.

Best Regards, BFT

Skateboarding and FiveFingers...duh!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Mon, 12 May 2008 04:51:00 +0000

Thanks to James Peter's of PavedWave.org for inspiring me to reignite my skateboarding passion. Visit his website to read about his amazing feats of long distance skateboarding (known as long-distance-pumping or LDP), including world record 24 hour distance rides. He currently has given me a loaner to use. I am burning it up!!!

The board is a Subsonic Pulse 40, essentially a handmade longboard. It is a magical thing...being able to tranfer pumping motion into forward momentum.

Volunteer Park, Seattle...Pushing

Yes, muscle memory is real. Yes, barefoot is best for balance sports. Yes, Vibram FiveFingers make a lot of sense for skateboarding.

from the www.northwestlongboarding.com forum:

Thanks to Shane and volunteers and sponsors for putting on this event (the Seattle Push Race, May 10th, 2008)

I think I found out about it yesterday (or the day before) from James.

Very inspired by James' pursuit of long distance and 24 hour riding. I enjoy trying to push the envelope. This race and ride was like the 3rd time I had been on a board for any time in over 25 years!!! But I loved it.

I had to take the downhills VERY conservatively because the shoes I had on (Vibram FiveFingers) are paper thin and not great for foot braking. It also turns out I rode the board James let me borrow...backwards!!! Felt a little odd. Oh well. Still made 8th place. Not bad for an old fart like me.

My quads were burning during that race. I definitely need to learn to push with either leg.

Look forward to seeing any photos, especially showing my FiveFinger shoes. I want to send them to the company and suggest they do something about making a skate shoe. I really do think that a lot of flexibility in the foot is good for balance and helps make the foot strong...do what it does best. I really am not a fan of these huge, heavy shoe-boats that are the rage for most skaters these days...at least for pushing on flat surfaces and pumping.

I have a lot to learn about skating these days. I have never seen so many DIFFERENT kinds of boards and wheels and trucks!!! Too much for my old-man head to take in all at once. Some sort of skateboard renaissance seems to be happening.

The downhill and slalom era came and went pretty quickly in my day (mid to late 70s). We got a taste for pools and the world changed and I've got scars and brain damage to prove it...we didn't wear helmets much...

So, thanks again. Hope to be out there riding for 24 hours next month and see if I can break 100 miles or more.

Barefoot Ted

PS. Make sure you ride with a HELMET (I have one now) and other protective gear. It is well worth it. The only downside to skateboarding for older riders is the unfriendly feel of pavement on the falling body!

PSS. The idea of barefooting and skateboarding and FiveFingers is cropping up here and there. Check out this post on the Paved Wave Forum, click here.

Volunteer Park, Seattle - Barefooted

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Sat, 10 May 2008 03:01:00 +0000

Arigato Noguchi-san - Black Sun

My explorations of Seattle include spending a lot of time in Volunteer Park in the Capitol Hill section of Seattle. It is an ideal playground, even for 43-year-old kids like me. Things to climb, paths to explore, fountains, wading pools, excellent views, balancing bars and friendly people.

Hug Worthy

Upward Path Beckons

Hand Railing Fun (video below)

Tower of Power...Running
(Volunteer Park Water Tower)

Tower's Spiral Stair Master

Up, up, up. Smile. Down, down, down.

Inaugural Dizzy Daze Green Lake 50K & 100K

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:42:00 +0000

Barefoot Ted, Barefoot Jon and Barefoot Chris

Very impressed with Barefoot Jon's and Barefoot Chris' performance at the inaugural Dizzy Daze Green Lake, Seattle 50k & 100k. Too cold for me!

Caballo Blanco Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:38:00 +0000

Passing through the middle of Urique

Race report by Race Director Caballo Blanco
Photos from Josue Stephens and Chris Labbe
Click here for all photos

Primary result: Beauty

The seventh running of the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, and the fourth annual running of the CCUM in the Urique canyon had about 100 starters and 37 finishers. There is nothing quite like it, anywhere. I am just the RD horse. What do I know?

Leading a group to Los Alisos two days before the race

There was almost $6,000 in prize money spread among the top 10 finishers, $1,000 of that for the top three women, and all finishers split 30,000 pounds of maiz accordingly. ALL participants will also be awarded maize.

A big thanks to all who care enough to read about it, and especially to those who have participated over the last few years and have become Mas Loco!

Caballo Blanco

1--JOE GRANT--EL TORTUGA--OREGON--6:24*
2--JOSH BRIMHALL--EL ANTILOPE--NEVADA--6:42
3--Isidro Lechuga--Piedras Verdes, Urique--6:49
4--Florencio Quimare--Ocorare, Batopilas--6:58
5--Arnulfo Quimare--Chepatare, Batopilas--7:11

6--Cervando Gutierez--Huisuchi, Batopilas--7:14
7--Antonio Luna--Munerachi, Batopilas--7:19
8--Silvino Cubezare--Huisuchi, Batopilas--7:32
9--Dolores Estrada--Huicorachi, Urique--7:35
10--Corpus Estrada--Huicorachi, Urique--7:36

11--Arnulfocito Mendoza--Santa Rita, Batopilas--7:42
12--Silverio Ramirez--Tatoguichi, Guachochi--7:51
13--Ignacio Nacho Palma--Chawaloco, Batopilas--8:04
14--JOSHUE STEPHENS--EL LOBEZNO--TEXAS--8:08
15--AMANDA MACINTOSH--LA YEGUA NEGRA PELIGROSA--TEXAS/COLORADO--8:23
First woman!

Second River Crossing

16--Leanardo Cleto--Piedras Verdes, Urique--8:38
17--PETER MARSTON--EL PUMA--ARKANSAS--8:40
18--FRANCO MARCHETTI--El AGUILA ALPES--ITALY--8:42
19--Epitanio Quimare--Chinivo, Batopilas--8:52
20--Santos Reyes--Basiguare, Guachochi--8:56
21--Sebastiano Gutierez--San Jose, Batopilas--8:57
22--Sergio Mancinas--Urique--9:01
23--ABI STEPHENS--LA LINCE--OREGON--9:07---Second woman!
24--Enrique Moreno--San Rafael, Urique--9:09
25--THERESA DO--LA PALOMA--COLORADO--9:15---third woman!
26--CHRISS LABBE--EL CABRO COLORADO--9:25
27--TED MCDONALD--EL MONO--CALIFORNIA--9:29
28--Luis Cleto--Piedras Verdes, Urique--9:32
29--Jose Cruz--Piedras Verdes, Urique--9:32
30--Arnulfo Gonzales--GUadalupe Coranado, Urique--10:00
31--LEAH JUREK--LA ALMA HERMOSA--WASHINGTON--10:23--fourth woman!
32--PAUL CHARTERIS--EL KIWI SALVAJE--NEW ZEALAND/CALIFORNIA--10:23
33--Lorenzo Catsro--Guadalupe Coranado, Urique--10:31
34--Margarita Lerna--Panalachi, Bocoyna--10:38---FIRST TARAHUMARA WOMAN, fifth woman overall!
35--Jesus Perez--Munerachi, Batopilas--10:38
36--Carlos Concheno--Urique--11.00
37--GABI STEPHENS--LA LAGARTA--PENNSYLVANIA--11:30--sixth woman!
38--GORDON MONTGOMERY--EL CHANGO--IRELAND/TEXAS--11:45

Race Brochure in Spanish

Sunday, March 2, 2008 was just another beautiful day in the deep canyon country of La Sierra Madre.

On the previous Wednesday they came, 4 gringo runners and El Caballo Blanco walking over from the deep canyon town of Batopilas, encountering 14 Batopilas canyon Raramuri en route, and walking together over la Sierra then down into the 6,200 foot deep canyon town of Urique, where we encountered more Raramuri and the rest of the gringo runners, men and women.

There were 136 running participants, of which about 100 started the
47 mile ultra. 36 local townspeople and a few international runners
participated by running one of the two 18 mile loops with us, either
the first loop upriver, or the second downriver loop. Many excited
children ran short distances with us when we were entering and
leaving the deep canyon small town of Urique beginning and ending
each loop. EVERYBODY participated!

The ultra run finishes with an 11 mile out and back after the two
longer loops.

Out of the 100 or so ultra starters and 38 finishers, 15 were from
the United States, France and Italy, 6 Mexican runners from
Chihuahua, and one local Urique Mexican man, whom finished near to
last, and was awarded $100 for being the only towns-person runner to
do so.

First place went to a humble and relatively unknown young Oregon Man named Joe Grant-
-El Tortuga Lluvia--Rain Turtle. The 24 year old turtle does not run, nor looks
much like his animal helper. In Fact, the Turtle broke Scott Jurek's-
-El Venado, the Stag Deer, course record of 6:32, lowering the
record to 6:24!

Nevada speedster Josh Brimhall--El Antilope Desierto, Desert
Antelope, was second, followed by 8 Raramuri--Tarahumara runners
rounding out the top 10. ALL United States, and our new Italion friend, Franco--
El Aguila del Alpes, Eagle of the Alps, finished.

The first place woman was Amanda McIntosh--La Yegua Negra
Peligrosa, Dangerous Black Mare, from Texas and Leadville, Colorado. Amanda
generously gave her $500 winnings to the 3 Tarahumara women
participants. Yes, Raramuri women came, And the bridge between
running cultures has now been constructed and crossed by our lovely
Mas Loca women runners, acting as the messengers--Andale!

Josh and Joe also gave their combined $2,500 winnings back to the
Raramuri people in the form of sharing some of their winnings with
the 8 Raramuri rounding out the top 10, and putting the rest into
the CCUM Seed Farm--sustainable agriculture project we have begun in
cooperation with Native Seeds Search. Nobody had to do that; and
they Did!....Korima.

Theresa Do--La Paloma--Dove, won cash and corn by finishing 3rd woman.
Abigail Stephens--La Lince--Lynx, finished second and
won $300. Yes, we have prize money for the top 3 women. There was a
grand total of about 9 women ultra runners....not bad odds -:

As well as the cash prizes of about $5,000 for the top ten overall
and another $1,000 for the top 3 women--who have a chance to
double their winnings when taking a top 10 overall spot, a ton of corn is
awarded to each of the top 5 finishers, and a half ton to the 6-10th
place finishers. ALL finishers after that are awarded 500 pounds of
corn.
All gringos gave the corn back to the people however they wanted to do
so, and we now have to deliver, I can only guess at this early point,
about 30,000 pounds of corn....A horse`s work is never done -:

Thanks for mucho help and support in many ways from Chris Labbe-
-El Cabro Colorado--Mountain Goat, whom also printed up beautiful
calenders from last year`s race event and gave them to the Urique towns-people.

The CCUM is sponsored by this kind of generosity, called Korima in
the Raramuri language--sharing, a gift, unconditional and beautiful,
the reward for giving being whatever may come back around in the
circle. And what does, along with whatever else, is always beauty.

Andale...

May the Raramuri and all of us contunue to run free.

Caballo Blanco de La Sierra Madre

OC 100 Kilometer (62 mile) Race - Barefoot

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:23:00 +0000

Yes, I know that I was going to run with the newest Vibram FiveFingers called KSO's, but the course was so smooth and I wanted to demonstrate that training with FFs (which I did) did not cause me to loose my capacity to run barefoot. The mechanics are nearly identical, with the FFs giving a sense of security and some gentle cushioning that does not cause the foot to loose the feel of the terrain.

So, my goal was to run it under 10 hours and 30 minutes in order to qualify for the Spartathlon. All was on pace until around mile 45. I could tell that my legs did not have it in them to keep going at the necessary pace, so I slowed down and enjoyed chatting with fellow runner Dmitri Chechuy.

In order to keep it as close to the conditions of the Spartathlon as possible, I never ran on the dirt trail that ran parallel to the course. I stayed on the asphalt which is what I will have to do in Greece...for 153 miles!

Ended up finishing in 11 hours and 52 minutes. Those last miles were very tough with worn out legs and sensitive feet, but I knew I could do it injury free, so I continued. Plus, like many endurance runners, we like to do it because we can.

A Big!!! thank you to the legendary Barefoot KenBob for crewing me during the race and taking video and film footage. Thanks! More photos by BKB here.

More as I have time.

BFT

Photos courtesy KenBob Saxton and RunningBarefoot.org

Rose Bowl 45 Miler - OC100K Training - KSO's

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:46:00 +0000

Spent the last two Sunday's running around the famous Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Last week did 30 miles, this week 45. Why? I am training for the OC 100K on February 16th.

Vibram's latest FiveFingers called KSO's are my favorite so far

I am very impressed with Vibram's latest creation, the FiveFinger KSO (Keep Stuff Out). I have been testing prototypes since the summer 2007. I have been testing the production model for nearly a month, and I love it. It will be available starting March this year. Go to www.VibramFiveFingers.com for more details.

For long runs, longer than 10 miles, I wear my Injinji socks, otherwise I start having chaffing problems in the arch of my foot, perhaps from too much flexing. The Injinjis prevent that by covering over the rough area at the seam within the FF.

I ran the 45 miles in 7 hours and 42 minutes, about the pace I need to achieve for the 100k (62 miles) in order to qualify for the Greek Spartathlon in 2009. Running so far in the middle of the day requires careful preparation. Every 3 miles I stopped and refilled my water bottle with electrolytes or my own sports nutrition drink (maltodextrin, soy protein and Green Magma) along with a few gels. Winter in California is nice, but can be quite warm in the direct sunlight. But I ain't complaining!

The electrolytes that I am using are a little secret I learned from Jorge & Mari Pacheco. It is a rehydration powder that NGO's give to refugee camps to prevent dehydration from illness. I did some research and found the powder and had to order a huge amount, but I love it and the price ends up being lower than many of the other popular electrolyte supplements offered to ultrarunners. Click here to order online.

Rehydration ingredients per liter (which are regulated by UNICEF):
Sodium Chloride: 3.5 grams
Potassium Chloride: 1.5 grams
Trisodium Citrate, dihydrate: 2.9 grams
Glucose Anhydrous: 20.0 grams

Notice my igloo in the background. Had my cold electrolyte drink ready every 3 miles.

This feels SO good after running SO far.

PS. I started taking Iyengar Yoga classes last week and look forward to reporting my findings in upcoming blogs.

PSS. Missed a yoga retreat today and am sorry that I did. Thought I would finish sooner (by starting sooner), but it wasn't to be.

Polar Bear Swims 2008 - Hansen Dam & Cabrillo Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:03:00 +0000

Mom and Me 2008

My family's tradition continues: Polar Bear swims at both the Hansen Dam Swim Lake at 8am (48 degrees) and then at Cabrillo Beach at noon (52 degrees).

This year was especially fantastic because my mom made my Grandma's old recipe for black-eyed peas and corn bread. Oh my GAWD was that good.

Here are some more photos:

The Family, 2008 here we come!

What I want to be when I grow up.

PS. A BIG! thank you to Green Foods. I have been using Green Magma everyday before lunch for the past 3 months. Doing that along with drastically cutting animal products has brought me down to a much lighter 160lbs. from a previous constant of 175lbs. Happy.

Eschew the shoe by Sam McManis

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:00:00 +0000

Sacramento Bee newspaper article link here
Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, December 20, 2007
Story appeared in SCENE section, Page E1
Title: Eschew the shoe: Runners go toe-to-toe with the competition
By Sam McManis

Sam called me about a month ago and interviewed me for this article. Here's what he wrote about me:

'Barefoot Ted' on a mission

Currently, barefoot running hardly qualifies as a "craze." Though a hardy community of barefooters has congregated on the Internet, where one Web site boasts 1,000 members, the practice still is considered alternative and marginal.

That soon will change, if "Barefoot Ted" McDonald, a serious marathoner from Sun Valley, near Los Angeles, has his way. McDonald's blog charts his odyssey of being a shoe-saddled runner who couldn't go an hour without intense pain to a shoeless runner who has completed the Boston Marathon in under 3 hours, 20 minutes, and completes 100-mile endurance races with no pain.

McDonald, in a phone interview from Southern California, recalls his first barefoot run five years ago as a "religious" experience.

"It was so mind-boggling to me," McDonald says. "It was like, 'Oh my God, I was running ball-heel-ball with no pain.' Within a year of running barefoot, I finished a marathon. Within another year, I had qualified for Boston barefoot. It's been a rapid and wild transformation."

So, if running barefoot can be so beneficial, why don't more people do it?

"Because the sports shoe companies make us believe that if we don't wear these specialty shoes, we'll get hurt," McDonald says. "It's one of the highest profit-making businesses in the country.

"But if people will only try it and ease into it, they'll find there's something elemental or spiritual in (barefoot running)."

If it seems at times that barefoot runners are zealots for their cause, it's because they firmly believe in a shoeless society. Most of the barefoot runners contacted for this story go shoeless full time.

Little Girl Needs Help

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:08:00 +0000

SAD TO REPORT - NACKETNA PASSED AWAY IN JULY, 2008 - RIP

Nacketna, an 11 year old living in the town of Urique, Mexico, located in the deepest canyon in the Sierra Tarahumara, host of the Caballo Blanco Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, NEEDS OUR HELP.

She needs a bone marrow transplant. She has donors but needs around $11,000.00 to pay for the procedure. Otherwise, she will be gone in one year or less.

My dream is to see the ultra running community step in and help this child.

I would love to see her at the start of all future Caballo Blanco Copper Canyon Ultra Marathons as a symbol of life and love and korima (the Tarahumara word for unconditional giving).

The above photo is a scan of a flyer that was given to me by her uncle. See translation below. It includes information where to wire funds.

Let's keep the race alive. Let's help Nacketna and the beautiful people of Urique and our running brothers and sisters of the Sierra Tarahumara. Let's make a beautiful story together!

BFT

TRANSLATION thanks to Josue Stephens

Nacketna Dominquez Ramirez

Age 11

Grade 6

Mother: Nereyda Ramirez Mariscal

Father: Octavio Dominguez Ayala

Aplastic Anemia occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough blood-forming stem cells.

This is the disease little Nacketna suffers from. She is currently hospitalized at the General Hospital in Chihuahua City.

Aplastic Anemia is a grave disease and its treatment is very costly. The medicine Nacketna needs costs around $14,900 USD per dose and requires two doses. If this treatment does not work, Nacketna will need a bone marrow transplant in Monterrey or Mexico City. The bone marrow transplant would cost around $112,000 USD

This is why we come to you now to ask for your financial support with these medical costs.

The Dominguez Mariscal family thanks you in advance for your support.

(Bancomer 1225993881)

May the Lord Bless You Forever

Note: Please visit the following website for more information on Aplastic Anemia

http://www.aplastic.org/aplastic/disease_information/about_the_diseases/aplastic_anemia.php

CLICK HERE TO DONATE USING PAYPAL

SANTA BARBARA NINE TRAILS 35 MILE ENDURANCE RUN

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:02:00 +0000

SANTA BARBARA NINE TRAILS 35 MILE ENDURANCE RUN

Thanks to Luis Escobar and Friends for putting on a great race this year.

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to put 50+ miles of toughness into a 35 mile slice? Nine Trails does it.

You can read all you want about how much climbing and descending you will encounter on this mighty course, but you can never understand until you taste it, taste the 10,500 feet of elevation gain and loss in 35 miles.

I tasted it. Me like.

What you can only appreciate by being up in those rugged mountains is the view, looking down into the Santa Barbara bay, looking out over a wide ocean with distant Channel Islands siloutted against the horzion.

California at its best. High beauty.

The trails were often very steep and slippery.

There were SO many different textures and footings.

And I felt them, all of those textures, and for me, mostly, they felt wonderful.

I wore an upcoming Vibram FiveFinger shoe nicknamed KSO (Keep Stuff Out). It is similar to the FF Sprint, but it has a top foot cover.

Photo by Scott Dunlap of A Trail Runner's Blog

My KSOs along with a pair of black Injinji toe socks made the running of this race very comfortable for me.

However, when you run with FiveFingers on rugged trails, you must think:

Every step (every single step) must be made consciously.

You will perfect this skill more and more, because your foot will get tired of feeling the pain of kicking things.

My feet felt as if I were running on the hard-packed low tide sand at the beach...with a lot of obstacles.

My feet and legs feel fine today. But keep in mind, I stayed in control the whole race and ran very conservatively since I had never been on the course before.

Time 9.21. 40th out of 80 finishers, 108 starters.

Highly recommended, and do attend the pre-race dinner at the Savoy Cafe the night before the race. I have never enjoyed such wonderful pre- and after- race food. Quality healthful delicious food.

BFT

PS. Big thanks to Luis Escobar, el Coyote. Thanks to Deb getting me to SB, getting me a place to stay and getting home. Greatly appreciated. And thanks to Marina for hosting us, and Andy, thanks for that beer!

PSS. It was great to see Gary Hilliard up and about. Keep moving forward!!!

Thanks Deb, and thanks Marina

Trail friends

Winter Tether Swimming in Salt Water Pool

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 02:42:00 +0000

Started adding swimming into my overall physical fitness routine.

These days, you will find me running barefoot and with FFs, doing Tai Chi, progressing with Yoga, and swimming. I am feeling very fit. Some diet changes include further reduction in animal products (not a vegan...yet), more whole grains and vegetables, daily Green Foods Green Magma drink, less beer.

The results. Feeling much stronger and getting leaner and lighter. Could be good.

Upcoming races include:
Saturday's 9 Trails race in Santa Barbara.
Orange Curtain 100km in February 2008 (Spartathlon qualifier)
Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon in March 2008

All this activity leading to:

IronMan 1890 (2008)
Badwater Solo Attempt 2008
Spartathlon 2009
Catalina to Mt. Wilson 2012

Live Free or Die

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:33:00 +0000

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

•

"Live Free or Die" is the official motto of New Hampshire. It is probably the best-known of all state mottos, partly because it speaks to an aggressive independence inherent in the American political philosophy, and partly because of its contrast to the mild sentiments usually found in such mottos.

National mottos

"Ελευθερια η Θανατος" Eleutheria i thanatos "Liberty or Death" is the national motto of Greece and comes from the motto of the Greek War of Independence (1821-1830).

Hao Style Tai Chi Chuan

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 03:48:00 +0000

Peter Mugglebee demonstrates tai chi
Thank you to Peter Mugglebee and Lily Lee for teaching me tai chi. Learning how to flow in control, a beautiful thing indeed.

BFT

Scott Wins Spartathlon 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:10:00 +0000

Spartathlon is a 246 kilometre (152.85 miles) ultramarathon race held in Greece since 1983 between Athens and Sparta. read more >>>

Spartathlon 2007 - Scott Jurek - Start to Finish
Made while the experience was still fresh, a more comprehensive video
following the front runners from beginning to end to come in following months

Big! Thank Yous to Scott and Leah for inviting me to Greece and taking such good care of me. You can link to Scott's blog here. Wikipedia here.

Super special thanks to Shannon of Moeben Sleeves for co-sponsoring my trip and Robert Renfro of Solar Communications International. Greatly appreciated.

Glenn Tachiyama's excellent photos of the race found here.
Lisa Bliss' blog here and photos here.

Valmir Nunes (#3 - 25:37:40) , Scott Jurek (#1 - 23:12:14) and Piotr Kurylo (#2 - 24:29:41) at Awards Ceremony

Scott running through Ancient Nemea
Note: Nemean wine is VERY good.

Map from Spartathlon.gr

Pre-Race Interview Part 1

Pre-Race Interview Part 2

Scott with many of the top Japanese runners from club MY☆STAR.
This year's race including the following top Japanese runners:

IWAMOTO NOBUMI (7th) , MATSUSHITA TAKEHIRO (8th), SATO RYOICHI (10th),

KUMASAKA AKIHIKO (11th), SUZUKI MAKOTO (13th), IKEDA KAZUYOSHI (15th)

In the future, Scott hopes to make more trips over to Japan to both race and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, especially traditional vegetarian food culture. Meeting this club is a good first step.

Luckily for me, I became fluent in Japanese after studying it in university and living in Japan for nearly 5 years. With 80 Japanese participants in this year's race, I had the unique opportunity of using my Japanese in Greece! My Japanese is a little rusty, but it comes out of me without thinking too much which is nice.

Great photo with Yukio Morishita (last finisher) and Scott Jurek (first finisher)

Scott shakes hands with the legendary John Foden, founding runner of the Spartathlon

What an amazing experience. I caught most of the race on video from start to finish. I have made a quick-fix video above, but plan on taking more time in the near future and putting together a video that highlights the top runners throughout the race.

Offical website: www.spartathlon.gr
Thanks to Christos Tsiakiris

Spartathlon was made possible through the exclusive support of the
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
The race is very fortunate to have such an organization supporting it. I think that the Sparatathlon is a fanatastic event with an amazing history. It brings together so many top-level runners from around the world in such a beautiful and friendly country.

BFT

Thanks to the following:

Spartathlon 2007 - The Crew

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:23:00 +0000

Dr. Lisa Bliss, BFT, Leah, Scott and Glenn Tachiyama at start line

On the streets in Athens...cheering ALL runners (video below)

Coffee Break...thank you!

Dr. Bliss teaches Glenn how to smoke!

Mark Godale, Lisa Bliss, Valmir Nunes, Scott Jurek
Top runners doped on nicotine thanks to Dr. Bliss?

Nunes' secret weapon?

Team Jerker at Awards Ceremony
photo copyright Glenn Tachiyama

Running Greece - 2007 Spartathlon - Crewing for Scott Jurek

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:15:00 +0000

Scott and Leah spent over a week out near Pylos in a town called Gialova. I joined them on the 23rd for sevaral days of relaxing and swimming before the race. Best time ever.

Scott and Leah fed me very well during my stay. It would be easy to be a vegan if it meant eating like they do everyday. Well, Leah and I did eat the yogurt, too. Greek yogurt is good stuff.

Very cool map of the area click here.

Climbing up into Navarino Castle with Voidokilia Beach in the background

Scott and Leah Jurek enter the gates of paradise?

Looking down at Voidokilia Beach mentioned in Homer's Odyssey

In front of Nestor's Cave

Sphacteria Island in background where the Spartans lost to the Athenians

Running up to the top of Mt. Nickolas

Slow food.

Angeles Crest 100 - 27 Hours

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:56:00 +0000

Running down the El Prieto Trail, less than 4 miles from finish

A BIG thank you to Vibram for letting me run in some prototype FiveFingers and Green Foods for Magma Plus which I know had something to do with a 5 hours+ improvement on my time compared with last year!

At the award ceremony

Coming into Islip photo by Christina Hennessey

Thanks to Wild Mountain Runner founder Freddie Perez for giving me a ride to Wrightwood and support during the race. Big thank yous to Arturo Valdez and Jose Hernandez who paced me from Chilao. Thanks to Chris Rios, Deb Clem and Sunny Blende for aid station support...it helped a lot.

Coming into Buckhorn photo by Christina Hennessey

More to come...

Video of me entering 52 mile checkpoint

My report to the Ultra group:

Howdy Folks

I surprised myself big time this weekend.

My goal was to finish better than last year.

Last year's goal was simple: to finish...alive.

Last year's time: 32:16 This year: 27:00

How?

Prerace: pizza and beer with Freddie Perez in Wrightwood. Two
Newcastles and 7 pieces. Also, spaghetti dinner.

Sleep: not so good at the Methodist Camp in same building as the
visiting Tarahumara along with Chris Rios and John Radich. Only slept
a little, but Jenn Shelton visited me in my dreams, so can't complain.

This year I ran in two different prototype FiveFingers that cover the
entire foot preventing crap from getting in the shoe. I had NO chance
to test the shoes before the race. I also wore Injinji socks borrowed
from Robert Andrulis as I left mine at home. These helped me
tremendously.

Finally had a chance to wear my Dirty Girl gators, and my Moeben
sleeves that Gary Hilliard threw at me as a prize as I was leaving the
Mt. Disappointment post-race party. Both were extremely effective
although Ken Hamada said I looked unusual, i.e., like a freak.

Nutrition. This year I used drop boxes. I prepared my own powder
using a mixture of malto dextrin, soy protein, Green Foods Green
Magma, E-Caps powder and Chia seeds.

GU: 2 an hour

Watermelon at many aid stations.

Progresso Chicken soup, drank cold out of the can 2 times, trick
learned from Flaco Mendoza.

Idlehour aid station: solid food and Miso soup. Thanks Joe. This is
the place to stop and eat at mile 82.

Pacers from Chilao to Chantry and Chantry to finish, Wild Mountain

Runners Arturo and Jose.

BFT, Freddie and Arturo at the finish

A lot of help from my friends.

BFT

PS. I leave for Greece on Saturday, filming and crewing for Scott.

Mt. Whitney Summitted Barefoot #3

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:05:00 +0000

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

AC 100 Training Run - Shortcut to Windsor 40+ Miles

noreply@blogger.com (Barefoot Ted) — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 01:48:00 +0000

Jay Anderson, Robert Schipsi, Chris Jensen, BFT

Did this same training run last year (see blog entry here). This year seemed to be better. I did not get as tired. We added a little mileage by going down to Henninger Flats for water. The water at Millard was flowing much better than in June.

I ran several of the uphill sections barefoot. The toughest section for me is after Sam Merrill aid station all the way to the switchbacks leading into Millard.

Jay lead us through the last section at speed. It was nice to see that we could still move after 10+ hours.

BFT