Happy 2nd Birthday Barefoot Runners Society!By Nyal Davidsson
Once upon a time, a group of passionate runners set out to change the running world in the only way they knew how – one odd look at a time. At the inception of the Barefoot Runners Society, the community boasted limited numbers, limited opportunities for those preferring naked feet in order to streak with their soul mates, and a small, yet growing set of online resources. Many regarded the recently emergent Born to Run to be a bible, from which to draw inspiration, and huaraches to be unimaginably exotic.
A striking aspect of the movement turns my thoughts to the inescapable fact that the greatest milestone we have achieved is wholly unremarkable. We have mastered unremarkability!
Before the Barefoot Runners Society, when I stepped outside the door to run, people noticed my Emperor’s footwear quickly. So quickly, at times, they would often hurt their necks or drive on someone's lawn. Folks found the idea novel, completely eccentric. Now, after these two years what do I get? One guy just waved at me. A nice lady stopped to chat about how much she loved being barefoot as a child. Another person walking his dog talked about how he knew someone who had those “toe shoes.” People know what we are doing, why we are doing it, and generally are not shocked, surprised, offended, or aroused by our feet. What a way to take all the fun out of it!
Once upon a time, another year passed for our beloved Barefoot Runners Society, and we still strive to attain the best of form and the best of times. We still relish the thought of heading out, into the rain to find the squishiest of mud puddles, the coolest of concretes, and the smoothest of journeys. We are still changing the running world – one odd look at a time.
To reminisce over the first year anniversary, seeHappy Birthday, BRS! You Are One Year Old Today!!!! By Nyal Davidsson.
Article written by Nyal Davidsson, BRS Member (Nyal)Artwork created by Daniel Martinek, BRS Member(Paraganek)araThanks Nyal and Daniel! You guys rock!