Spontaneous Barefoot Run
I went running barefoot for the first time yesterday--a little less than 2.5 miles. I really hadn't intended on it. It just sort of happened. I must say it was an unexpectedly good experience!
I was unmotivated to ride my bicycle to work yesterday morning. My legs, and self in general, were just too wiped from all the dancing and walking and fun at the music festival last weekend for me to leap on with a glad heart. Matt had to attend to some errands out on the West End and my work isn't too far off that path so I hitched a ride with him to work. That left me with walking home yesterday which is probably my favorite mode of transportation, especially on such a nice sunny day. However, when it came time to walk home I really felt like running, not walking. I was kicking myself for not wearing my Vibram Fivefingers instead of my Birks. Then I thought, "Hmmmmm....maybe I don't need my Vibrams and could try running REALLY barefoot." I had walked home barefoot before, so I thought I'd at least give it a whirl. So, I did.
I didn't even have any discomfort from rocks or pavement or anything the whole way. Of course, I've been toughening up my feet by going barefoot when at all possible for months now. My feel are smooth and firm with calluses on the pads and the outside of my heel. I've reached a point where I almost hate wearing most shoes. My feet feel all trapped in them. My feet feel clunky and cumbersome, especially when in my boots. I have one pair of sneakers that I don't mind as they are so thin it is like nothing at all. I've come to feel that my feet weren't meant to spend their lives in shoes. So, I don't make them unless I absolutely have to. My feet have never felt better or stronger.
It all started when my sister, Lisa, insisted I read Born To Run. I resisted for months because I wasn't a runner....why would I read a running book?! Lisa wasn't a runner either though and after hearing her say it changed her life I thought I should investigate. It changed me life too, in many ways. Notably, I started running in October 2010, something I'd never expected to do in a million years. My discovery of running could be a blog post in and of itself. Maybe another time.
Back to yesterday: The grass felt absolutely divine underfoot as I ran. The sky was open and blue. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. Baby ducks were paddling around the canal and I was truly wild and free trotting through the trees in the park over the soft lush grass, catching the heads of dandelions between my toes. It was fantastic. I will do it again.
I was unmotivated to ride my bicycle to work yesterday morning. My legs, and self in general, were just too wiped from all the dancing and walking and fun at the music festival last weekend for me to leap on with a glad heart. Matt had to attend to some errands out on the West End and my work isn't too far off that path so I hitched a ride with him to work. That left me with walking home yesterday which is probably my favorite mode of transportation, especially on such a nice sunny day. However, when it came time to walk home I really felt like running, not walking. I was kicking myself for not wearing my Vibram Fivefingers instead of my Birks. Then I thought, "Hmmmmm....maybe I don't need my Vibrams and could try running REALLY barefoot." I had walked home barefoot before, so I thought I'd at least give it a whirl. So, I did.
I didn't even have any discomfort from rocks or pavement or anything the whole way. Of course, I've been toughening up my feet by going barefoot when at all possible for months now. My feel are smooth and firm with calluses on the pads and the outside of my heel. I've reached a point where I almost hate wearing most shoes. My feet feel all trapped in them. My feet feel clunky and cumbersome, especially when in my boots. I have one pair of sneakers that I don't mind as they are so thin it is like nothing at all. I've come to feel that my feet weren't meant to spend their lives in shoes. So, I don't make them unless I absolutely have to. My feet have never felt better or stronger.
It all started when my sister, Lisa, insisted I read Born To Run. I resisted for months because I wasn't a runner....why would I read a running book?! Lisa wasn't a runner either though and after hearing her say it changed her life I thought I should investigate. It changed me life too, in many ways. Notably, I started running in October 2010, something I'd never expected to do in a million years. My discovery of running could be a blog post in and of itself. Maybe another time.
Back to yesterday: The grass felt absolutely divine underfoot as I ran. The sky was open and blue. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. Baby ducks were paddling around the canal and I was truly wild and free trotting through the trees in the park over the soft lush grass, catching the heads of dandelions between my toes. It was fantastic. I will do it again.
hmmnn...sounds like a book I need to read too. I'm always looking for a game changer...especially when it comes to improving health!
ReplyDeleteIt is rather cliche to say a book changed my life, but this one certainly did. A wonderful blend of health, nature, indigenous cultures, spirituality, adventure, action, history, and even a little suspense!
ReplyDeleteIt also has a swell full title-- Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
My sister likes books with a good subtitle. I think that is how she found this book despite her not being a runner. In the running world it is huge! Every runner I know has read it. But I think it is more than than and every human should read it. Maybe, like me, they will all find they WERE born to run.
I wish I could run barefoot! I rarely DON'T wear shoes, even at home. I used to run track & play tennis, but sadly ending up having two foot surgeries. Now I rarely go anywhere without my tennis shoes :)
ReplyDelete