Some may disagree, but for me, it’s easier to be different when it’s obvious. There’s no decision to make about when to boldly state my position at the risk of being obnoxiously contradictory, and when to stay respectfully silent at the risk of appearing ashamed of my beliefs. When it’s obvious it’s up to the world around me to choose to comment or not. I also know what I’m getting myself into and can be prepared for the shocked reactions of those who haven’t had their imaginations opened up yet.
I think this is a rather serious way to introduce a post on my new hobby: running barefoot. It’s not exactly new, but it still is relatively unknown. I mentioned before that gave some old ladies quite a shock when they saw me taking a walk barefoot, which I find to be therapeutic and not too hard on the feet. I’ve only dabbled in barefoot running up ‘till now, but now I’m more serious.
I started running mid-way through college when a dear friend (and he happened to be my boyfriend) gently introduced me to healthy, enjoyable running. I’ve been less than consistent, but have enjoyed running ever since. Knee problems keep me back from time to time and I managed to hurt my knee fairly badly just before I came to Switzerland, so I’ve been taking a rest from running and trying to work out on my own what’s causing the problems. I’ve experimented with various things, but for a few weeks now I’ve been trying something that seems to work. I won’t bore you with the details, but I’m attempting to correct a somewhat crooked leg. I’ve been walking pain free for a few weeks, as I said, and since today was a beautiful day I decided to try running again. In order to prevent myself from overdoing it (once you start running it’s hard to stop!) I decided to go barefoot.
I’ve always loved going barefoot, but I first discovered that some people take it seriously from my dear mother. Her post on the topic has links to barefoot supporting organizations if you’re interested in more information.
So here again I’ve waxed prolific about 15 minute event in my life. I went for a mile run in my running gear from head to ankle and dared to bare from the ankle down. There is less time to comment when you see a barefoot runner as opposed to a barefoot walker, but I still received from satisfying reactions. For some reason, people were even less inclined to return my cheerful “gruezi” than usual. You shouldn’t talk to people who are different, you know. They are lunatics everywhere.
Ha! What freedom! What a glorious feeling! Running and feeling the earth beneath you. I’m addicted. Yet I’ve been struck with just how warmly I’m embracing all the new experiences I’m meeting here: harp, early music, Indian music, etc. Am I just a easily guided sheep? I pray not. There are just so many interesting things in this world!
Posted by
harp on
Saturday, March 10, 2007 at
7:08 am
|
Edit
Permalink |
Read 526 times
Category
General:
[first]
[previous]
[next]
[newest]
I don't see anything sinful about harp, early music, Indian music, nor even barefoot running, so go for it! :)
Here's testimony to 25 years of experience that you needn't worry about being an "easily guided sheep."
I'm sure they'll soon get used to you, verrückter Amerikaner!
Hey! We just learned that word today in German class! You make it look like your German is better than mine . . . except that most people know I'm a girl. ;)
Oops. Unreliable Babel Fish....
Barefoot Running Update: I went again today (after a days rest) and enjoyed a particularly interesting set of stares. (Warning, mass generalization of a people ahead. Remember as with any generalization about 70% of the people are an exception.)The Swiss tend to look you in the eye, then size you up from head to toe and back again at which point they look you in the eye again. In America people size-you up from head to toe then look away in an attempt to make it look like they weren’t sizing you up. I usually take my revenge by speaking to them after our eyes meet again, but the great thing about going barefoot is that you can make them stick at the bottom long enough for you to be out of sight before they regain composure. If you see someone running barefoot and laughing the whole time - it’s me.
Of course we look you in the eye at the end. Staring at any other body part on a girl would be rude.
That's a good point, Stephan. Thanks for helping me understand the Swiss. It's true that at least they're honest about looking you up and down - or should I say down and up? In some ways, honesty is not always appreciated in American culture.
Barefoot update #2: This is a small rant. I’m hoping that burying it in a comment will mean it will reach only the most devoted of my readers. Yesterday I went for a barefoot walk and it was hot so I wore a skirt. Stares are allowed when I’m barefoot, so it didn’t surprise me when a man passed and didn’t take his eyes off me while giving a baffled smile. Later as I sat on a park bench enjoying God’s beautiful creation and trying to quite my heart to listen to Him, the same man passed me again. This time he stopped to talk. (This is where I fail to tell you that I said “gruezi” first because I always greet the people who pass and I didn’t recognize him until it was too late.) Tell me what kind of nut would try to pick up a girl who doesn’t speak much German and is walking around in bare feet and a winter’s worth of unshaved legs? Case closed, folks. The desperate guys I seem to attract must be thinking “Gee, she’d be lucky to get a man, maybe I have a chance with her.” Add that experience to today’s healthy dose of stares and I’m beginning to develop a complex. For crying out loud I blended in better in Japan! But to be a little serious, I wonder how to be charitable. Think how lost these men must be that they’re looking on the street for some companionship and satisfaction. Can I minister to these lost souls in some way? What if I accepted the invitation to coffee and listened to their story and told them about how Jesus is the source of all joy in my life and then treated them to the coffee in the end? It sounds cheesy and dangerous, and that’s been my excuse my whole life . . .
That's where it's nice to have someone else with you -- treating them to coffee would be much safer and less likely to be misunderstood. But of course if you had someone with you these characters would probably stay away.
