- Miles:
- 1968 total / 629 in 2013
- Goal:
Miles for Moffitt 12hr Ultra, May 11. Wild Sebastian 100, Nov 16.
Chris Gkikas ran: My barefoot solo 50k ...
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- 23 miles
- 06:10 time
- 16:04 pace
- 2210 calories
- details
My barefoot solo 50k attempt this morning was technically my first DNF (did not finish,) but if you forget that for a minute, I shattered all my personal records in one long, challenging run through Myakka River State Park. Given the circumstances (I lost the trail and ended up five miles in the wrong direction on a sugar-sand road that destroyed my knee, and got chased for MILES by a very aggressive flying insect... "best pace, 5:54") and the extreme weather (91F, 70% humidity, torrential downpour, then more sun) I am lucky to have finished 23 miles, all barefoot except one, in just over six hours. I learned a lot of lessons about fueling (Gels are fine,) wild animals (carry a stick, at least,) fear (I have a touch of it, especially when I heard the wild boars in the bushes,) hydration (one cannot carry too much water,) heat stroke risk (no more shadeless summer runs of this distance in Florida,) God (i.e. a park ranger planted that truck with the life-saving cold water when I started to get dizzy,) and myself (I have a long way to go.)
Here is a public link to the photos I uploaded to Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151001431709747.482895.774024746&type=1&l=175bdc0ad0
I hope you are refueling and rehydrating right now. What massive miles in that horrible FL heat! Wow! Wow! Wow!
12 months ago • Like
T, yes, yes, and yes.
12 months ago • Like
Epic. DNF easily forgotten. DRA (did righteously achieve) to be applauded. Mate, you made it out. Alive! With stories to tell your grandchilds. 23 miles! Much respect :)
12 months ago • Like • 2 people
Ape, you were with me the whole time.
12 months ago • Like
Very amazing run! Glad you made it back in one piece! We all have a long ways to go, but you my friend just completed an amazing 23 mile run in some crazy conditions. Screw the DNF, I say you ran a long ways in some killer conditions! Hoping for a great recovery for ya! rest well!
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
Big thanks, Sheldon! If I hadn't gotten lost and wound up on that hellishly soft, mushy sand road, I wonder if it may've looked different in the end, but I'm counting it as a win! Thanks again.
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
That's a magnificent achievement by any standard, Chris! I bow before your awesomeness. (But dude, you need to find a hat to protect the melon.)
12 months ago • Like
Vano, i used to think my big phobia was spiders. Not anymore! Alan, i bought a super awesome neck shade hat.. best $30 I've spent in a while. gents, thank you kindly!
12 months ago • Like
Dude - super impressed with that barefoot distance!!!
12 months ago
Gavin, thanks!!
12 months ago • Like
You crazy muther hugger! Very impressed, Chris. You have moved me to do a 50k this year.
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
Wild boars and killer insects to contend with plus the water and fueling issue. You did great getting that far and it's in training where you learn about these things. Awesome improvement from your former self who would never of contemplated such a thing.
12 months ago
Oh WOW! 23 miles! This is amazing. 23 barefoot miles on the trail? OUTSTANDING! I am speechless and in awe!!! Very nicely done!
12 months ago
Kent, those are true words, and I thank you. Michele, thank you as well! It hurt, and wasn't pretty. Lots of walking and struggling like a delirious man in the Sahara thirsting for water.
12 months ago • Like
Hey everyone, I just edited this post to include a public link to the Facebook album of photos I uploaded, which you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151001431709747.482895.774024746&type=1&l=175bdc0ad0
12 months ago • Like
So impressive. Not an easy task, but counting the heat, humidity, lack of shade and wild animals, I'm super impressed!
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
Badass! You'll remember this one for a lifetime & that's all that matters, Rock On Chris!
12 months ago • Like
what a mad adventure! I don't know what to say except I'm amazed you did this and glad you survived to tell the tale.
12 months ago • Like
Still incredible work and miles, Chris!! Wow!! You're a winner to me!! Fantastic job!!
12 months ago
Chris, thank you so much for sharing this "DNF". Damn Nice Footwork, dude.
12 months ago
Thanks for making that facebook photo album public!
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
Can I put the link on the barefoot/minimalist runners facebook page?
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
I'd be honored. Of course.
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
Great run my friend...great run.
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
WOW, what made you try to do a 50K without months of training...LOL. You are crazier than I am. Thats why I love you!!!
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
I was thinking about you this morning when I was running in this crazy heat. I couldn't imagine you running so far in it! Good to hear you are doing OK. Great job getting through it. I think it's a good idea to wait until the fall/winter to try this again! :)
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
Jenna, thank you! No doubt about waiting until fall/winter to try this again. Also, not to get lost next time! That road really sunk me. When you see Christina next, please point her to this post if you don't mind -- she expressed interest in how this run would turn out.
12 months ago • Like
Great job Chris, regardless of the miles, you did awesome.
12 months ago
GAH!!! THIS IS F'ING NUTS!!! I love it! I am glad you lived and learned some lessons and totally almost ran your own dang marathon!!!! woo!
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
Nice try Chris! Fill that pack with gatorade and carry two 20oz bottles next time! Glad you didn't become a casualty on this one. Just reading about your shifting sand made my ITBs hurt.
12 months ago • Like • 1 person
Holy schnykies! I somehow missed this post. That is an incredible feet (feat?) you attempted, even if you didn't get your 50k.
12 months ago • Like • 1 person