I write barefoot or in socks all the time. I know, its no great feat. *snort and giggle at the word play* But that isn’t exactly what I’m talking about. I’ve recently taken up running and after reading BORN TO RUN by Christopher McDougall I started minimalist running. First, I was hard core and went completely barefoot…
I immediately LOVED it! The only problem was that I was getting lots of blisters, I didn’t like running only at the track and it was getting cold. So, I decided that I would use my limited barefoot experience and try the not so attractive, wow I look like a platypus, Vibram Five Fingers. See…total platypus!
But heck, I don’t run expecting to look attractive. I’m hoping that’s a side effect, but I have no illusions about the whole smelly, drippy sweaty process. Keep your distance. Instead, I run to be free. I run to discover who I am and what makes me tick. I run to tap into my own head, heart and soul….WAIT! Wasn’t that the reason I started writing??? Yes it was! And now that I’m thinking about it, there are a lot more similarities between barefoot running and writing….First of all, there’s a learning curve.
Balance is also an important component of both activities and I don’t mean trying not to fall off the curb while leaping over a drainage grate or rushing to a critique group. After I run, I need to sit…to recover. Between the writing and the sitting…I need to move. Balance is good. I enjoy my running when I’m planning and plotting story lines and characters in my head. Equally, I love sitting down to write when the stress has been blown off me and my body feels deserving of the break. When I can feel the ground beneath my feet, I avoid heel strikes and hard pounding. I can feel when I need to self-correct. When I write with my heart exposed, I lead with voice instead of structure. I know when it doesn’t ring true and I can fix it. Sometimes being bare means leaving enough of the crap behind to be able to feel your way.
When running barefoot, you need to have a little bit of a thick skin…on your feet and emotionally. People think you’re just strange for doing something so darn peculiar. Why must you always buck the current norm? Nikes not good enough for ya? They ask about the funny shoes. They inquire about the technique. They question whether you’re damaging your knees in a flight of stupidity. What do I tell them? Yes, it might seem strange to you, but it just feels right to me. And no, my knees feel better now…running barefoot. When you’re an aspiring author you need a little bit of a thick skin too. People think you’re just strange for doing something where you work so hard, get rejected constantly and end up spending more money than you actually make…which is zero. Damn those really fun conferences. They remind you that what you’re writing just doesn’t seem to be a "fit." So, what do I tell them? Yes, it might seem strange to you, but it just feels right to me. And I know its tough, and I may not fit everywhere…but I fit somewhere and at the end of the day, I feel really good when I’m writing barefoot.
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Great post, Kim. I also write and run, and while I don't run in Vibrams, I understand why you do and how you must feel catching flack from all those people who think it's weird. Over the summer I became a vegan. People keep telling me it's weird and ask me if I worry about getting enough protein. My answer? Veggies have more protein than most people are aware of and tons more phytopchemicals than most can even dream of. I'm 20 pounds thinner now and much happier. Be careful out there in your bare feet. I have bad feet (probably from a lifetime of wearing shoes) but may try the Vibrams myself sometime.
Hang in there with the writing. One day things will pan out for you.
I feel your pain Stella. I did the vegetarian thing for a year and dealing with everyone was harder than balancing my diet. I've gone flexitarian now-but I think its awesome that you're vegan. If you ever do try the Vibrams…go really really slow. Its like starting from scratch all over again. I had a small advantage because I'm a dancer too but it was still a BIG adjustment. Good luck with your writing too. :o)
I run too, but at 52, I think it's too late to try Vibrams – but thanks for the introduction. I'd never heard of them.
I like how you relate running to writing, "to be free, to discover who I am." I can relate.
Never say never Anita LOL! It is a really neat experience. Running and writing…such a beautiful thing. I know you get it! :o)
Never say never Anita LOL! It is a really neat experience. Running and writing…such a beautiful thing. I know you get it! :o)