Shoes

I've been thinking about shoes lately because I've been trying to find the perfect pair for Africa- cheap because they are going to get trashed, but sturdy enough to see me through two months and lots of mud, and comfortable enough to not want to wear flip flops because apparently that makes it easy for parasites to get into your feet. I'd like to avoid that if possible.

So I think these shoes won't work.

(On a side note- it is really difficult to take pictures of your own feet. Also, I would apologize for my ugly feet but I think pretty much all feet are ugly so what can I say.)

These are the "new shoes" that I was going to write about a while ago (like, last fall...) but I forgot. Then all this thinking about shoes put me in memory of them so I thought I would tell you about them.

Awhile ago I read a book called "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen." The author's whole premise is that mankind has evolved to be a creature that runs. Not just in short bursts like Cheetahs, but for long periods of time, like Energizer Bunnies. It's an interesting theory and I liked the book pretty well because it also told the story of the Tarahumara Indians of northern Mexico who demonstrate this idea pretty well and run marathons in shoes made of old tires. And they apparently don't really get tired and don't get injured, which according to the author is because they essentially run barefoot or in these cheap homemade tire shoes.

Partly due to the book's huge success a large following of "barefoot runners" has emerged and they are convinced that the best way to run (or walk or jog) is with as little padding on your feet as possible. The idea is that if your feet can feel the ground they can make compensations for differences in terrain and you won't have as many injuries because you are learning to run in a way that prevents injury. They of course have claims about how amazing this style of running is and what a difference it makes and what not so I was intrigued and decided to try out some "invisible sandals" (as seen above- so much for that claim).

You can actually buy a kit to make your own here. But being the cheapskate that I am I was not willing to shell out 12 bucks plus shipping for some tire treads and strings. So I made my own to test them out first. That way, if going barefoot really was amazing I would know the 12 bucks was worth it before I coughed up the money.

So I made my pair out of thick craft foam ($1 per sheet) and some shoelaces I had lying around. And added a leaf button for decor. Then I went for a run (of like 30 seconds because mankind may have evolved to be a running creature but I most certainly did not!)

And my verdict? Well, I'm glad I saved myself 12 dollars (also the embarrassment of buying this type of barefoot shoe, which operates on the same premise but is significantly more hideous.)

They weren't terrible as far as shoes go, and if I ever find myself barefoot on a deserted island I might want to fashion something similar, but needless to say I am not a barefoot convert. The front part of the shoe kept rolling under my foot and tripping me and even though I didn't get any burrs or rocks coming through the sole, I still felt them when I stepped on them. And I didn't notice much difference one way or the other as far as how my feet and legs felt afterward. (Technically, the barefoot runners say you are supposed to stick it out for awhile and that your body takes time to adjust but we all know I am too impatient for that.)

So I will stick to my evil flip flops and cheap cross trainers. Except in Africa- I think I found some loafers that will work for me over there. Three weeks to go...