Are barefoot runners inherently crazy?

Quick backstory. I've been at this for awhile. I'm met quite a few of you guys. I've also met a lot of people that had no interest in barefoot running. Some of you are very close friends... many others are acquaintances I know well enough to have gotten a glimpse behind the curtain.

I've noticed a profound difference between those two groups. Barefoot runners have the ability to really push the boundaries of what society considers normal... in many different realms. In short, barefoot runners are exceptionally open-minded and accepting.

Why?

Feel free to take this discussion anywhere.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sid and NickW
Short answer: Yes, we're crazy.

Longer answer: I think the cause and effect reversed. We're not open-minded because we're barefoot runners; we're barefoot runners because we're open-minded. When something doesn't work we do something different, which runs counter to the "Keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome" that a lot of folks do. As a function of that, we're able to accept new and different things, like BFR.

I'd reckon as a group, we're probably a little more self-aware or introspective (or something like that) as well - which plays into it. One of the things that I have consistently heard in regards to BFR is "Listen to your body". You can't do that if you're tuned out and you definitely can't do that if you refuse to tune in.

Further, we generally seem to be a more joyful (in a Buddhist sort of fashion) crowd. We get our pleasures where we can find them, and if society doesn't approve, well then society can suck it. (there are some exceptions, I'm sure, but you get the point).
 
Well, I already knew I was crazy by societal standards, because, just for a couple of examples, I(we, hubby and me) had 7 kids and taught them at home. Then I got my belly button pierced a couple of years ago, but wasn't quite the oldest lady they had seen in the shop. My extended family didn't even blink when I took up barefoot running...:D
 
Nick- I have to admit, I've tried extra hard to get back to Oregon. ;)
You seemed so normal when I met you when you were here, then I started reading your fb posts (there was one the other day that was a real eye opener) and wow, let's just say I am a boring boring little man compared to you... Jen and her husband on the the other hand, you'd be in good company. Lol!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bare Lee
You seemed so normal when I met you when you were here, then I started reading your fb posts (there was one the other day that was a real eye opener) and wow, let's just say I am a boring boring little man compared to you... Jen and her husband on the the other hand, you'd be in good company. Lol!

I'm pretty good at acting normal in person in new situations. It's a function of being a public school teacher for over a decade. Facebook tends to bring out the antagonistic element of my personality. Like-minded people and alcohol tend to bring out the craziness. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: jldeleon and NickW
Short answer: Yes, we're crazy.

Longer answer: I think the cause and effect reversed. We're not open-minded because we're barefoot runners; we're barefoot runners because we're open-minded. When something doesn't work we do something different, which runs counter to the "Keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome" that a lot of folks do. As a function of that, we're able to accept new and different things, like BFR.

I'd reckon as a group, we're probably a little more self-aware or introspective (or something like that) as well - which plays into it. One of the things that I have consistently heard in regards to BFR is "Listen to your body". You can't do that if you're tuned out and you definitely can't do that if you refuse to tune in.

Further, we generally seem to be a more joyful (in a Buddhist sort of fashion) crowd. We get our pleasures where we can find them, and if society doesn't approve, well then society can suck it. (there are some exceptions, I'm sure, but you get the point).

I think this just about sums it up. I don't think anyone could end up barefoot running without being at least a little open-minded. Does that mean we're crazy? Not particularly, but I've come to realize there isn't really a "normal" anyway. Based on the "crazy" I see on the job, you'd have to do some pretty crazy sh*t for me to call anyone seriously crazy.
 
It's definitly not a political thing.
Neither Al Gore nor Mitt Romney presently run barefoot to my knowledge.
Obama certainly did as a kid in Hawaii, but probably wouldn't be caught dead indulging right now.
 
Some people think I am open minded because I don't judge them. Really it is just the fact that I am so into myself I don't have time to care about other people. Hope that helps.
 
I just think it is a need for some people to be closer in contact with them selves. Just yesterday driving home from sax-class I just wondered why I always seems to be glad. I came to the conclusion that I do the things that make me glad, running and being barefoot most of the time, playing my sax, being a buddhist.