Do you guys think I should train for my next marathon barefoot or focus on speed?
Hello! I have raced half marathons barefoot, and recently completed a marathon (in shoes unfortunately due to training in shoes for a variety of reasons). I'm looking to decide what my next goal should be - I am definitely able to qualify for the Boston Marathon based on my recent marathon, but that was in shoes. I was 10 minutes off qualifying time while I was unfortunately undergoing of the worst day of my period with cramps - and other details I'll spare you all from lol - that doubtlessly slowed me down. Most marathons, especially boston qualifiers, are done on tarmack or road, which is not my preferred place for barefoot running (and the edge of the road is unlikely to be too much better, all of this based on my current and possibly lacking understanding), so I'm debating whether I should focus on shoerunning now and qualify, or see about running a marathon barefoot that unlikely is to be as fast as i could go in shoes (considering i slow down to reduce impact on roads).
What do you all think? I love barefoot running, and would love to hear similarly minded people's takes!