One of my goals has always been to walk a mile barefoot, and last weekend I finally did it . . . but I did THREE miles! While wearing a 25 pound weight vest, in 95 degree heat, no water or resting. Took me an hour and a half! (It was coincidentally on the day I take my weekly 7mg rapamycin, but I’ve never had any noticable effects from rapa over the 2 years I’ve taken it.)
A few observations:
I will never do this again
I figured that my feet would hurt the next day, but I didn’t count on my calf muscles hurting even more (no idea why)
The hot asphalt was more painful than anything else, so I walked on dirt/grass/concrete whenever I could
I got stung between my toes by a bee halfway through the walk
I was limping by the time I got back home, but was it was cool to cross a challenge off my bucket list
I laughed when I saw your observation #1. Where did you do this - just walking around town, or elsewhere? Its one thing if its a sand beach, its another thing if its on the streets and gravel. I’m impressed by your fortitude. Truly, you’re becoming a stoic!
I just walked out my front door and hiked to a nearby metropark that has some good paved trails, then back home again. So yah, around town . . . I’m sure I looked like some kind of an insane homeless person, but I don’t care
The video clip was great… killing it in heat and weighted vest. You don’t even look challenged. Wouldn’t confuse your physical health and great looks with a homeless person, just saying. There is something about being barefoot so you can actually feel the magnetic energy of the Earth pulsing through you. Wearing rubber soled shoes… we lose that connection to the earth.
Kudos… but yeah… my barefoot walks reserved for bee free grass and sandy beaches… along shore line. Keep my toes cool.
I used to do this when I was a kid walking to the beach, and this was in the city. I kind of miss it, but yeah I need more meditation before I do it in adulthood.
A little bit of both. I’ve been reading here and elsewhere about how it’s healthy to walk in bare feet every now and then. I also like doing occasional challenges that make me focus on the difference between “transient” and “debilitating” pain. And Cato used to walk to and from work barefoot every day (the Roman Senate).
You should have seen me when I limped back up my porch steps and collapsed into a chair
My poor wife is used to me doing wacky stuff like this, though . . . I told her I was going for a long walk, but didn’t mention I was doing it barefoot. Lol
I can’t imagine doing what you did!! my tootsies are way too delicate LoL!
When we lived in the Keys we met a guy who went by the name Barefoot Mike. I never saw him wear footwear of any kind. He was a live aboard guy, tucked into a cove among the mangroves on his 18’ sail boat. We met a lot of “characters” living in the Keys
The year before we met him (2007) he had walked the first 3rd of the Applachian Trail, about 700 miles… barefoot. His plan was to walk it in thirds and we moved away the year he was going for the second third.
While on this second stage he died in his sleep in one of the cabins that dot the trail. The heart gave up on him. I can’t find the video on Youtube but 2 days before, another hiker videoed a little interview with him. He was an interesting redneck loved going to Cuba to meet the ladies and smuggle back a boat load of rum LoL!
Attia did that interview with the woman orthopedist (That’s spelled wrong, but she makes orthodics) and she said the orthodics cause the arches and the feet to get weak. So she runs barefoot. So Attia probably had stock in Zero shoes, but he sold me on the idea. So I bought a pair of Zeros and ran on them for a few days, then spent a few weeks recovering. Over time I figured out that if I wear them around home and when driving tractors, etc. it is good for my feet. It hurts, but just soreness from using muscles differently. I’m still into it and believe it is good to use these shoes, but will never try running in them again.
That’s so awesome @Phil_Van_Treuren! I’ve been wearing barefoot style shoes (primarily Xero) almost exclusively for about 5 years. I walk/hike in them regularly with either a 10 or 18 pound weighted vest (I’m around 100 pounds). I’m pretty sure this has helped me over time because my feet, hips and legs never hurt anymore like they used to prior to adding this into my lifestyle. My coworkers who are my age and even some younger ones complain a lot about their feet, hips, legs and back hurting. Being originally from Kentucky it’s a given that I enjoy being barefoot (there’s a grain of truth in that stereotype ) but there are too many potential natural hazards on and around the trail I use so barefoot shoes are the next best option for me. I’m sure your wife is impressed and proud!
That’s very impressive, Phil! I spend hours working in my garden, barefoot and love connecting with the earth (grounding), except when step on a blackberry thorn, etc…
However, it’s important to stay hydrated in severe heat, especially when exercising and sweating.
Congratulations on your accomplishment. I have a couple of friends that walk barefoot for a mile or more. I believe they are getting a geomagnetic force that requires contact with the human body. What was your intention on this endeavor end? Did you receive any beneficial effects? Assuming by your first comment that you won’t ever try this again tells me some…
Congrats. I have been a barefoot shoe user (mainly vivobarefoot) for years and I use them for walking, running, resistance training, and basically anytime there isn’t a strict dress code. Calf flexibility and development is huge especially if you’ve never done much barefoot training in your life. Your feet also physically grow as they become more muscular from actively gripping and conforming to the ground giving you improved balance as a nice benefit. I initially transitioned because I wanted to fix my slightly deformed toes and prevent bunions in my future as I grew pretty fast as a child with US 13 size feet at the age of 13 and my footwear didn’t always keep pace. There is some evidence to suggest that wearing them while running and adapting your gait to a more natural style saves you from knee degradation and injury issues.
If any of you want some propaganda to convince you then born to run is a good read but I’d look at the studies themselves if you want more accuracy.
