The Barefoot Running Book - Jason Robillard [66]
My last solid memory of that last leg was of Michael exclaiming, “My ass-crack hurts!” which brought an immediate reply about Jason spooning the rest of the crew as they napped and the tube of lube he kept in his pants. I remember laughing. Then nothing.
The remainder of that leg was a strange memory of looking into a tunnel and hearing muffled voices around me. I hallucinated something about a flower picking incident, and of a bee flying around me. Additionally I remember feeling very emotional with the realization that I was finally going to fulfill my long-standing goal, but it felt dream-like.
The Finish
Eventually we made it to the asphalt, the landmark that indicated about three quarters of a mile left. I remember that clearly because it made me realize that the end was near, which caused me to snap out of my trance-like condition.
With Shelly by my side, I walked the small asphalt hill, turned right on the trail, traversed a few hills, and hit the mowed grass of the park. There were a few people milling about who started clapping and yelling encouragements. I crossed the field, turned down a small hill, then turned toward the finish line. With fifty yards left, I managed to break into a pathetic run.
Running under that finish line sign was one of the greatest feelings I have ever experienced. It was both the realization of a long-held dream and the knowledge that I could finally stop running. The sense of accomplishment wouldn’t hit me until the following Monday.
Twenty-nine hours and five minutes after starting, I had finished running 100 miles. I shook the hand of the race director as he placed a medal over my head and handed me my buckle. It was an amazing feeling. I then shook the hands of my crew, thanking each one for helping me reach this pinnacle and then, finally, hugged Shelly. I had been fighting back my emotions for the entire leg and holding her in my arms at that very moment was one of the best moments of my life. That hug was the culmination of the transformation I had begun many months earlier. Those rock-laden rolling hills through the rural trails of Pinckney had served as a metaphor for my life. Now I stood at the end, victorious in the arms of the woman I love. There will be other 100-milers, but this one will always be special.
Hallucination 100 buckle and the Vibrams used in the race
Appendix
Barefoot and Minimalist Shoe Runners and Supporters You Should Know
Ken Bob Saxton:
Widely considered to be the leader of the barefoot running movement. His website (http:thebarefootrunning.com) is considered “must-read” material. Most of my theories were developed from Ken Bob’s teachings. He is the “resident guru” of the Barefoot Runners Society.
“Barefoot” Rick Roeber:
Best known for his string of barefoot marathons. Rick’s ideas, disseminated through his website (http://barefootrunner. org), were a major influence on my early barefoot running experiences.
Ted McDonald:
Barefoot Ted’s most famous appearance came in Christopher McDougall’s excellent book Born to Run. Before that appearance, Ted shared a great deal of experience through his website (http://barefootted.com). Ted was the other major influence on my early barefoot running adventures.
Abebe Bikila:
Bikila won the 1960 Olympic Marathon while running barefoot. The Olympic games that year were sponsored by Adidas but the shoes Bikila was given were ill-fitting. Since he trained barefoot, he made the decision to run the race without shoes.
Angela Bishop:
Writer of the popular Barefoot Angie Bee blog (http://barefoot-angieb.blogspot.com). She routinely writes about her experiences as a barefoot runner and mother while providing a ton of tremendous product reviews.
Zola Budd (Pieterse):
Budd is a South African woman that held the 5000 meter world record in the 1980s. At her peak, she trained and competed barefoot.
Mark Cucuzzella,