50 Mile Ultramarathon - Completed in FiveFingers™

After the race, me, Leah and Scott Jurek

Howdy Folks

I know it sounds crazy, and maybe it is a little, but here's the deal:

As you know, on Monday the 17th I ran the Boston Marathon (see story and photos below). I was hoping that I would be able to recover in time to run a famous 50 mile ultramarathon on Saturday the 22nd.

I rode up to Palmdale with Scott Jurek and his wife Leah along with Brian Morrison. We all Indian food for dinner at a restaurant that Andy Kumeda and I found last year on our way up to Mt. Whitney. Hal Koerner and Ian Torrence joined us along with Luis Escobar and his friend. Great food and conversation.


These FiveFingers are tough. They got dirty, but the soles are looking new

Woke up a 4:30 am the next morning, got a ride with Luis Escobar and friend to the start line, and off I went at 6 am, 50 miles before me.

Well, to make a VERY long story short, I made it in a little over 11 hours. Naturally, I could have been fresher, my legs were still stiff from Boston from the very start, but I knew I had the energy and the will. Thanks to Xy Weiss for keeping me company for the last 20 miles. My unofficial time: 11:16:01

Please do not ask why I was unofficial in this race. It is too embarrassing.

I feel fine today. Thanks to FiveFingers my feet are fine too.

Best Regards, Barefoot Ted

PS. I needed to get an official 50 miler under my belt in order to qualify for the Angeles Crest 100 which I hope to do this year.

Boston Marathon - 3:20:16 - re-qualify!!!

Howdy Folks


Photos by Greg M. Cooper. Copyright Vibram USA




Just got back to my hotel after running the Boston Marathon in 3:20:16 wearing FiveFingers shoes.

Firstly, let me say that Boston is a tough course. However, I set out to do 3:20, and I did it, so for that I am grateful. With this time, I re-qualify for Boston for my age group 40-45.

As photos become available, and I have more energy, I will write about my experience.

Until then...

Best Regards, Barefoot Ted

PS. A BIG! thank you to all the folks at Vibram USA for making this trip possible. You guys rock (are 41 year olds supposed to use that phrase?)!

Me with Peter Von Conta (left), VP Design and Tony Post (right), President Vibram USA

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

Malibu Backbone 100k Trail Fun-Run - Aid Station

It was time to give-back a little more to the running community that I have grown to love.

Ona and I volunteered to take care of the aid station in Andy and Jeff's 100k backbone fun-run.



Leigh, Vicki, Jeff, Ona, Ultra Suzy and Barefoot Ted



Everyone loved the food...



Ribbons awarded made of trail markers and leaves
Kyle, Ona, Vicki and Leigh

We had a great time hanging out in the Dead Horse parking lot in Topanga Canyon. Lucky for me, my old friend Urs lived near by, so Ona had a chance to meet some new friends.

Ona did some video interviews. For a funny look at the race, listen to Ultra Suzy's interview here. QuickTime Required

Best Regards, Barefoot Ted

Press Release: Barefoot Ted to Run Boston in FiveFingers™

BUY VIBRAM FIVEFINGERS

CONCORD MASS-BASED VIBRAM®
TO SPONSOR BAREFOOT TED IN BOSTON MARATHON

Long Distance Runner Will Compete Almost Barefoot in
Vibram® FiveFingers™

WHAT: Vibram®, the worldwide leader in high performance footwear soles based in Concord, Mass., will sponsor Ted McDonald, a.k.a. Barefoot Ted, a six-time barefoot marathoner to compete in Boston. Ted will wear Vibram® FiveFingers™, a unique glove-styled shoe that offer all the health benefits of going barefoot with the gecko-like grip and the protection of a Vibram® sole.

FiveFingers™ was originally developed by Marco Bramani grandson of Vibram Founder Vitale Bramani. Bramani loved the balance and control of sailing barefoot but wanted better slip resistance and toe protection from dangerous rigging.

Although this product is intended for sailing, sea kayaking, and related sports, the concept is gaining traction with barefoot runners, walkers and recreational sports enthusiasts. FiveFingers™ stretches and strengthens muscles in the feet and lower legs, improving balance, agility, strength and speed.

WHY: For Vibram®, this is an opportunity to showcase their innovative FiveFingers™ while illustrating the many health benefits of going almost barefoot. For Barefoot Ted, an avid proponent of barefoot running, FiveFingers™ gives him the freedom and sensation of running barefoot, with the protection of a Vibram sole.

WHEN: Monday, April 17, 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Hopkinton, Mass. to Back Bay, Boston, Mass.

CONTACTS: For more information or interviews, contact Anne Tommasi, Tommasi PR 603.893.5878, atommasi@adelphia.net

Photo by Ona McDonald

FiveFingers™ Speed Training

photo by Ona McDonald

Did a little speed work today and yesterday wearing the FiveFingers™ barefoot shoes. I just had to get out and feel some of that sunlight that we have been lacking this past week here in Los Angeles.

I love running in and around Hansen Dam in the East San Fernando Valley. If you haven't been there, you are missing out on a great running spot.

Best Regards, Barefoot Ted

PS. You can view some more in-action running shots from this same day by clicking here.

FiveFingers™ Survive 25 MIle Tough Trail Run

Howdy Folks

This past Saturday, I put a new, properly fitting pair of FiveFingers through a very good test run: 25 miles and over 6 hours of hard, muddy, rocky, steep, slippery, multiple stream-crossing trail running in the Santa Monica mountains with a group of ultrarunners and adventure racers.


Photo by Suzy Degazon

The FiveFingers performed as well as any of the other shoes in the group, with a couple huge benefits.

1. They didn't collect tons of mud like the big, gnarly trail shoes did. The others complained of their shoes getting heavier as mud caked on the sole of their shoes. Since the FF are smooth soled, no mud collection.

2. No problem with the wet conditions and rock hopping, stream crossings. They had excellent grip on wet rocks, and still felt fine when wet.

3. I could FEEL the ground and adjust my gait accordingly. Shoe wearers do not quickly sense when the ground is too slippery or soft. With the FiveFingers, I could feel the softness instantly know whether or not I could plant my foot safely.

4. I could use my toes to grab the ground on steep, muddy uphills.

5. Some of the other runners commented favorably as to my style of trail running. Much lighter on my feet, far more aware of the course, surfing the course, or skiing the course rather than just plodding through it. Efficiency of movement brought about because of constant feedback through the feet leading to gentler landings and more thoughtful course selection and faster cadence, especially on downhills.

6. Low profile design eliminates the dreaded twisted ankle problem the high-heeled trail shoe wearers are prone to suffer.

Downfalls were the same for shoe wearers:

1. With NO traction, they had problems when confronted with super-slippery muddy slopes. Even the trail shoe wearers had problems here. My hope for the future trail version of the FF would be to allow for more toe spread to mimic the breaking strategy of mountain animals.

2. It ain't fun to kick rocks (but not as bad as without FF). However, barefoot trail running requires much more focus, so kicking rocks is far less common then typical trail runners.

I have done portions of this same course without shoes. However, I could never move as fast nor as confidently as I could with the FF on. The adventure runners were jealous.

Best Regards, Barefoot Ted