Over in my team forum at Endurance Nation, we have a thread going about race secrets. Over the next few days, I'll post my personal winning suggestions. Here's one of my own I think isvery helpful!
This is an idea that I came up with in the mid-90s to save my feet at my favorite little sprint triathlon at the RI shore. The run from the swim to the bikes is over a rocky beach full of sharp stones and lots of shells. I would be in pain for days after since my feet would get cut up and bruised. Plus, my bad feet make it difficult for me to run barefoot. So I came up with the following sneaker modification. I've never seen this in any magazine, nor have I seen anyone else do it. I think it's original material. :) Here's what you do:
Cut the backs off of a pair of old running shoes. Cut out the tongue. Use elastic laces to hold the uppers together really loosely. Place on the beach at the swim exit. Slip on when you come out of the water, shuffle two steps to get your feet planted, then fly by the people tiptoeing over hazards, or limping up hill in T1.
I use them in just about every race I do (where it makes sense). These shoes must be 10+ years old. No one has ever messed with them or taken them. Work like a charm. You're welcome. :)
This is an idea that I came up with in the mid-90s to save my feet at my favorite little sprint triathlon at the RI shore. The run from the swim to the bikes is over a rocky beach full of sharp stones and lots of shells. I would be in pain for days after since my feet would get cut up and bruised. Plus, my bad feet make it difficult for me to run barefoot. So I came up with the following sneaker modification. I've never seen this in any magazine, nor have I seen anyone else do it. I think it's original material. :) Here's what you do:
Cut the backs off of a pair of old running shoes. Cut out the tongue. Use elastic laces to hold the uppers together really loosely. Place on the beach at the swim exit. Slip on when you come out of the water, shuffle two steps to get your feet planted, then fly by the people tiptoeing over hazards, or limping up hill in T1.
I use them in just about every race I do (where it makes sense). These shoes must be 10+ years old. No one has ever messed with them or taken them. Work like a charm. You're welcome. :)
