9 ms·

I have always been fascinated by bare foot running. I think in a city I have less interest because all it takes is one tiny shard of glass to get a nasty infect

I have always been fascinated by bare foot running. I think in a city I have less interest because all it takes is one tiny shard of glass to get a nasty infection but how do you handle stuff like pebbles etc?

maximus_prime 2y ago
Guessing over time your feet develop thicker skin so you don't feel the pain.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
wolvesechoes 2y ago
> but how do you handle stuff like pebbles etc? Usually put a grimace on my face in a short moment of pain ;d. I try to take a route that doesn't have plants with thorns or lot of stones and pebbles. In my area that is not difficult. When it is not possible, or I have some wound on my foot, I wear very thin, flat sandals (could be called "minimalist", but cost like 1/3 of the price of sandals really marketed as such). And I need to look out for vipers, but so far they tend to escape when I approach, and, to be honest, normal running shoes wouldn't help me if I would step on them. In the city I would definitely be more cautious. When I lived in a town, there was a forest around 20 km away, and I preferred to take a car ride there instead of running though streets. Took more time and planning, and maybe I couldn't run as often as I would like to, but it was much better experience. As for wounds, at least here in the countryside, so far I didn't catch anything serious. Few splinters or thorns. Nothing that would require seeing a doctor. Definitely it is wise to begin slowly, run much shorter distances, maybe even slower than you are able to. In time your feet become stronger and more resistant. You also notice that you become more aware of the ground and what lies there. This makes it easier to spot and avoid things that could be unpleasant.
JimDabell 2y ago
Depends on the city. I run barefoot in Singapore and the places I go are all very well-maintained, smooth surfaces without much to cause trouble. You just look where you are running to avoid stepping on anything nasty. But I wouldn’t think about doing that in, say, Hanoi or Penang. Somewhere like Bangkok would be okay if you stuck to the big parks, but not if you were running along the streets.
ghthor 2y ago
There are great barefoot shoes and sandals, no reason to expose your feet to the grime of city streets and sidewalks. Xero shoes, Lems, vivobarefoot, and many more.

maximus_prime 2y ago

Guessing over time your feet develop thicker skin so you don't feel the pain.

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

wolvesechoes 2y ago

> but how do you handle stuff like pebbles etc? Usually put a grimace on my face in a short moment of pain ;d. I try to take a route that doesn't have plants with thorns or lot of stones and pebbles. In my area that is not difficult. When it is not possible, or I have some wound on my foot, I wear very thin, flat sandals (could be called "minimalist", but cost like 1/3 of the price of sandals really marketed as such). And I need to look out for vipers, but so far they tend to escape when I approach, and, to be honest, normal running shoes wouldn't help me if I would step on them. In the city I would definitely be more cautious. When I lived in a town, there was a forest around 20 km away, and I preferred to take a car ride there instead of running though streets. Took more time and planning, and maybe I couldn't run as often as I would like to, but it was much better experience. As for wounds, at least here in the countryside, so far I didn't catch anything serious. Few splinters or thorns. Nothing that would require seeing a doctor. Definitely it is wise to begin slowly, run much shorter distances, maybe even slower than you are able to. In time your feet become stronger and more resistant. You also notice that you become more aware of the ground and what lies there. This makes it easier to spot and avoid things that could be unpleasant.

JimDabell 2y ago

Depends on the city. I run barefoot in Singapore and the places I go are all very well-maintained, smooth surfaces without much to cause trouble. You just look where you are running to avoid stepping on anything nasty. But I wouldn’t think about doing that in, say, Hanoi or Penang. Somewhere like Bangkok would be okay if you stuck to the big parks, but not if you were running along the streets.

ghthor 2y ago

There are great barefoot shoes and sandals, no reason to expose your feet to the grime of city streets and sidewalks. Xero shoes, Lems, vivobarefoot, and many more.