With barefooting it's all about looking out about 10 feet ahead and scanning - scanning. It actually becomes sort of meditative. I'm sure that's not hard to believe.
Looking for rocks mostly. Just like life. Trying to avoid the bruises. But sometimes the land mine stretches out before you and there is only one way to the other side.
This was the case on the home stretch of my Hospital Hill 5k. They called this particular quarter mile "liberty hill". So apt. It was a slow grade downhill. In shoes, no big deal. Barefoot, it was all-in mind over matter. Downhill barefooting just sort of happens to you. Anyway, I haven't figured out how to control it yet.
On this particular day, liberty hill laid right through a construction zone, leaving a merciless layer of chalky gravel carpet the whole way down. But I wasn't going to stop. In fact I barely slowed.
Deep breath. There will be an end to it. Hit the gravel and see what you are supposed to learn about yourself. This was my pep self-talk.
And so I did. Concentrating only on maintaining my gait, breathing. Breathing. I felt the rocks, but I didn't. That surprised me. The constant pain was dull like a fading car passing. Like a detached observation. Like liberty.
Then it was over. Before I could really absorb what happened. Before I could be scared or proud.
I did bruise. And I'm glad for it. Now I know what it feels like - what to expect.
Ultimately, I don't think the lessons I learned are what I was supposed to. I'm pretty sure that "barrel through it and turn yourself off" won't make it to a Dove Treasures chocolate wrapper epithet.
I don't care. It works for me - when I can see the rocks and bruising coming.
Barreling through and shutting down..
