I do not know what you think about the flip flop runner, but I think he depresses me. I can barely slog my way through a marathon under the best of conditions. I have to fight my ass off just to get in under 4 hours and I usually do that gritting my teeth and sprinting to the nearest porta potty.
Then this dude comes along and runs the Baltimore Marathon last weekend in 2:46. Impressive time, no? But, he also did it in a pair of flip flops. Hot dang if he doesn't look happy. I first heard about this guy from Miss Zippy who is a member of his running group. But, then Runner’s World interviewed him and now he is a celebrity. I wish Tosh.O would have him on.
![article-2220992-159C1097000005DC-208_634x628[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gaOSkJP8mgoNjg6NzG07QdzeF8DPkQQIS1is5WaMEDHHOKWjXgN_CWKLg30xc0Z2q6e1wgBZkTSmaB-bMh69U0Ws9HDBMpWp_JSTtcYf7GZnZvGLb7QbRhbym3NMP8jJmRp-_0qtDrw/?imgmax=800 "article-2220992-159C1097000005DC-208_634x628[1]")
I wanted more info on flip flop man. All I know is he looks to be having the time of his life. I want to ask him - wasn’t your weenus hurting (isn’t that what you call the area between your big toe and second toe)?
Maybe he is wearing a special flip flop with super powers. Maybe he is a pro athlete who has the best coaches and nutritionists and foot massage therapists. Maybe he cheated, stopped at Wal-Mart at mile 25.2, threw away his $200 running shoes and put on the flip flops. No, he is the real deal, just a regular dude like you and me with crazy running talent.
Here’s what I found out about our friend:
Name: Keith Levasseur
Age: 34
Hometown: Glen Burnie, MD
College Attended: University of Maryland
Profession: Program Manager
Running History: Ran cross country and track in high school, stopped for awhile, resumed running in 2008 to get back in shape.
Legs: Nice
Tattoo: Yes, on left bicep, but I can’t tell what it is (he was in the Marine Corps, so maybe it has something to do with that). Or, maybe it is a smudge mark from changing his oil.
Brand of flip flop: Reef (retails for about $40)
Marathon PR: 2:38 (Marine Corps Marathon, 2011 – in traditional running shoes)
Half Marathon PR: 1:17
100 Mile PR: 24 hours, 44 minutes
Furthest he’d ever run at one time in flip flops before last weekend: 14 miles
Next Step: Filling out paperwork to get into Guinness Book of World Records for running the fastest marathon in flip flops.
I love it when people do surprising things that make all of us shake our heads and wonder, “How the crap did they pull that off?”
What did you think of this guy? Impressed or do you think he is nuts? Impressed, dude’s a stud.
Have you or would you ever try running in flip flops? I ran in flip flops once when I was ten and trying to catch the ice cream truck.
SUAR
How did he not trip and fall??? Now that is impressive.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed and I think he's nuts. My feet hurt just thinking about it. I'd never try running in flip flops unless it was to the bar at the beach.
ReplyDeleteI ran a half marathon in the rain a few years back and a lady passed me wearing Crocs. Those are the most slippery shoes ever. I don't know how she did it, or why.
ReplyDeleteHe was only EIGHT minutes shy of his marathon PR? Ahhh!!! I was thinking the same exact thing when I saw this article-how did he not get big-toe tendonitis or whatever from keeping those things on his feet? I suspect there was glue involved (not really).
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what to think of that or the "smirk" on his face either?! either way can't imagine running more then from car to store in the rain in flip flops let alone in 26.2 (fast) miles!
ReplyDeleteWow, nice legs. Yum! I hate flip flops, walking or just sitting doing nothing. I'm impressed tho.
ReplyDeleteUgh. This impresses me and depresses me at the same time. Impressed for obvious reasons (I don't understand how his big toe was not in excruciating pain!)- and depressed because I ran a marathon today (last one was 3 years ago) and it was absolute hell. I was in SO much pain! I now remember why I swore them off, and I really mean it now. Not doing another one! I also was really dumb and ran fast enough to PR the half and then had a spectacular crash & burn in the second half - 1:45 first half, 2:10 second half - Yikes at those positive splits!
ReplyDeleteHey, if I can add, you still made it in under four hours. Nice work!!
DeleteYes, it was under 4... I was just really hoping for at least something in the 3:40s. Oh well. Thank you!
Deleteand what about this guy?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/sports/joggling-the-marathon-3-beanbags-and-26-2-miles.html?hp&_r=1&
I'm with you..its takes everything I've got to finish 26.2. My friends and I hardly talk, its takes all my strength to put one (running shoe clad) foot in front of the other for the entire distance
Haha -- I saw this photo on Runner's World, but hadn't had the chance to read the story yet. I'm amazed he ran the whole thing in flip flops. He must have strong or really pain resistant feet! It doesn't even look like he has extra padding between his toes. At least they are nicely cushioned soles.
ReplyDeleteHow annoying for the rest of us who need real shoes! What nerve. :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe he didn't want to get any black toenails...?
ReplyDeleteThought that was super impressive!
ReplyDeleteI think he's both b) NUTS and a) that I am impressed. But seriously, who thinks "Oh, I'll go run a marathon... in FLIP FLOPS" ... crazies.
ReplyDeleteImpressive. That race is nothing but hills and to run it in flip flops is definitely crazy. Crazy, but impressive. Plus he's hot.
ReplyDeleteMy sons tell me the weenus is the excess skin on your elbows. The skin between your toes is called a gyna. It's from 2 teenage boys. That is my source for this info.
ReplyDeleteYep. True. Weenus is elbow skin.
DeleteI learn at least as much from my kids as they learn from me.
DeleteSome flip flops stay on your feet better. I'm sure those aren't Old Navy or KMart cheapies. Not that it lessens the significance of the feat... I can't run a marathon at all so I'm definitely impressed by anyone who takes that on...in flip flops or shoes. Or barefoot.
ReplyDeleteOnce when we were visiting my in-laws they were driving me so insane that I just walked out of the house and started running (pure animal impulse, I guess--I don't know, something like that). I happened to be wearing flip-flops, but the need to run far from my in-laws was greater than the need to go back in for running shoes. I lasted for about a mile and a half. I have no idea how that dude did it.
ReplyDeletemaybe he just forgot his shoes?! and had already paid the entrance fee, might as well just see how this goes!
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of Reef flip flops and they are a lot better than normal ones. They have arch support and are more cushioned, almost like an open-toed (or open-footed) running shoe.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but do you think you could run 26.2 miles in them?
DeleteWow... I just can't get over how pretty his legs are, who cares about the flippers! Haha... that blows me away, not in an overly aggravating kind of way, just in a 'wow, how the heck did he do that?' kinda way.
ReplyDeletecraziness. I want to know how many blisters he had at the finish line.
ReplyDeleteI don't even wear thongs (that's what we call them over here) because they make my weenus hurt (are you sure that's a real word? Am I your most gullible reader?) And I wouldn't wear one of the things you call thongs in a marathon either - give me a VPL any day over a spectacular chafe.
ReplyDeleteTechnically I think "weenus" is that skin on the end of your elbow (kind of like chicken fat) but I didn't know the name of that foot body part, so thought I'd use weenus.
DeleteI think it is kind of like those women who give birth, and then are back at work the next week talking about how easy the recovery was. It makes the rest of us look like wimps!
ReplyDeleteI just don't understand this. It makes my weenus (weenie) hurt thinking about it. More power to him for doing it!
ReplyDeleteOMG that was supposed to be Weeni as in plural of weenus. Stupid spell check!
ReplyDeleteImpressed and he's nuts!! I CANNOT imagine!
ReplyDeleteI always feel like I'm going to sprain an ankle running in flip flops from my house to the car....he is nuts. But hey, if it works for him then well, okay!
ReplyDeleteI don't even like to wear flip-flops, ever, so I couldn't imagine running in them. Good for him though, if that's what he's into.
ReplyDeleteI read an article not too long ago about "barefoot running", it's a new trend apparently. Some even argue that it's better for you! Personally, I don't think I'd try it.
I love the whole thing. He's clearly enjoying himself and I think ... he's amused. I like people who laugh at themselves!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you read the story I mentioned in my reply to your October 19 post!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous
October 18, 2012 8:50 PM
How about your feet? Have you ever run in flip flops? Read this story about the guy who ran the Baltimore Marathon this weekend in flip flops and finished in 2:46:58!
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/10/18/man-runs-entire-baltimore-marathon-in-flip-flops/
Thanks for the head's up. I read about this on Miss Zippy's blog on 10/15 as well.
DeleteTwo summers ago I had planned to run with a friend over lunch and forgot my running shoes. I didn't want to bail on her, as it was girl catch-up time plus running time, so my options were my shower flip flops, barefoot or work heels. I opted for the flip flops, and I was really surprised that running in them wasn't too bad. Granted, we were probably doing like 10 min miles.
ReplyDeleteYou are a GOOD friend. That's all I can say. I think I would have gone for a beer instead.
DeleteJust looking at him makes my feet hurt big time.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that he's a University of Maryland grad explains the crazy(and I have full permission to say so because I'm from Maryland).
Me too! I grew up in Columbia - you?
DeleteGrew up in Hagerstown with a 2 year stint in Gaithersburg during grad school. Didn't go to UMD though, much to the chagrin of my Aunt, who is an alumni and rabid fan.
Delete=)
We have too much in common - Maryland and Richmond! We WILL have to meet up at the Richmond Marathon next year!
Yes, I just might have to make that happen. I still miss Richmond. I used to live in Tobacco Row, loved Bottom's Up Pizza. Those were the days!
DeleteHe must not pronate at all or very little. My foot would have gone over the side and twisted an ankle before I ran 1/2 mile.
DeleteI think not much surprises me anymore! I've seen so much crazy on long distance hiking trails than I ever have on runs (to be fair, I've had many more hiking years than running years). Backpacking the A.T. in crocs, barefoot, Tevas and my favorite? A guy named "Dirtnap" who hiked all 2100+ miles in rope sandals that he made.
ReplyDeleteI'm still adjusting to my zero drop Altras. I think I'd kill myself in flip flops or crocs (I'm kind of off-the-charts klutzy).
If you had been back with the slow kids at the Denver RnR Half, you'd have seen a fellow running in flip flops at about the 11 mile mark. If you had been me, you would have almost burst into tears, because maybe your blood sugar was a little low and here was this guy running is MOTHERLOVIN' FLIP FLOPS and you were pretty sure you might poop. In fact, the only thing keeping you going at that point was the thought of sitting on a toilet with a giant Gatorade, but then you're distracted by the dude in the flip flops and things got hard.
ReplyDeleteGood thing you were up front :)
Wow, sorry I missed that. And I hope you wre able to have your moment on the toilet with the Gatorade. Hopefully it was a nice toilet at the Hyatt and not a porta potty.
DeleteHilton Garden Inn!
DeleteMaking it through the section with all the photographers was painful. I now know what Britney Spears must feel like when she has to poop.
And he's nice, which makes it hard not to like him!
ReplyDeleteI can't even WALK that long in flip flops with out blisters and pain. But really it is more the smile that makes me love him. I am a slow and painful runner so I can't get discouraged with runners that are amazing because compared to me you all are :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely impressed. Although I will say that due to extra-sensitive weenuses I refused to wear flip flops until I discovered REEFS a few years ago. They are amazingly comfortable.
ReplyDeleteOh!! I wear reef sandals too, so does that mean I can run a marathon in flip flops (just kidding)?
ReplyDeleteNice, hot, and doesn't take life too seriously.... can I have his number?? J/K - my husband wouldn't appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteSo did you catch the ice cream truck????
ReplyDeleteLegs: Nice
ReplyDeleteOr another answer: 2
Yeah, I couldn't believe this story when I saw this. What a stud. Did you read about the guy that did IM Hawaii in crocs? Yup, the BIKE and RUN!!! Insane.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I couldn't believe this story when I saw this. What a stud. Did you read about the guy that did IM Hawaii in crocs? Yup, the BIKE and RUN!!! Insane.
ReplyDeleteNO, I had not heard that. WTH?? Now I feel like I have to do my next race in a fancy pantsuit or something.
DeleteLol!! Yes, he does look extremely happy to be running a marathon in general. Gotta love the flip flop style. Can't wait to read about him in RW sometime!
ReplyDeleteI ran the Army 10-miler yesterday in Washington a few feet from a guy who played a little flute THE ENTIRE TIME. I damn near killed myself to make my time goal while he entertained the crowd with Yankee Doodle Dandy.
ReplyDeleteOverachievers make me look bad...
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind it so much if he didn't looks soooo stinkin' happy and completely adorable. I would volunteer to see what his tattoo is (up close and personal) and report back to you if you'd like....?
Yes, please take that on as your assignment. Report back!
DeleteMission complete. I cannot report however, I have been sworn to secrecy. And his legs are even better up close. :)
DeleteAmy P. Philly Runner.
My weenus kills just walking in flip-flops. I can't imagine running 26.2 miles in 'em
ReplyDeleteI think that I understand why the hate to him but it is quite impressive to do something like that.
ReplyDelete