Barefoot Running, Nordic Walking, Something I Never Tried

Barefoot Running, Nordic Walking, Something I Never Tried

Dec 21, 2011
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Few months ago while walking on the Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk a barefoot runner ran by. That was kind of odd to see someone running barefoot. Not new to me. I grew up running all day barefoot. We never liked wearing shoes and we probably were more religious washing our feet before bed rather than hands.

Now days walking streets of the Aurora, not sure if I would ever want to run barefoot. That day the runner was lucky not to get any splinter, step into goose, duck or dog poop, bubble gum, glass or run over some spilled spoiled juice. Or may be he did?

While there are benefits to the barefoot running I don’t find it to be a very hygienic run. I am talking the true barefoot running because apparently there are shoes for barefoot runners, and they look more like gloves for the feet.

Nordic Walk, Sheppard's Bush Trail, Aurora


So while you deliberating if you should start the barefoot running next spring or summer (not sure if winter is suitable) you may consider the Nordic walking or pole walking. I spotted this sport couple of years ago when walkers were getting ready at the St. Andrew’s Golf Course parking lot. Regularly I see a group walking in the Arboretum or Sheppard’s Bush Trail during my adventures around Aurora.

Nordic walking is growing as an alternative to ordinary fitness walking because it can easily be mastered and can be performed year-round in any climate anywhere by a person of any age or ability who might otherwise walk without poles. It combines simplicity and accessibility of walking with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning and significantly enhanced aerobic effects quite similar to those of Nordic skiing. The result is a full-body walking workout that expends significantly more calories without a change in perceived exertion or having to walk faster, due to the incorporation of many large core, and other upper-body muscles which comprise more than 90% of the body’s total muscle mass and do work against resistance with each stride. ‘Normal walking’ utilizes only 70% of muscle mass with full impact on the joints of the legs and feet. Source: Wiki

Personally, I think this is one of the best sports someone would like to get involved. While getting exercise, you are also getting fresh air and exposure to daylight. Also it looks like a nice getting together event if you don’t want to walk alone.

For me? I don’t know. It would be hard because if I supposedly saw a bird on the tree, my Nordic walking would become Nordic chase-a-bird exercise. I guess we all got our preferences, and you already know where my preference is.

About the Author

Anna Lozyk Romeo

I am living in Aurora and this is my photo journal blog. A picture says 1000 words - but not always, so I write. You don't have to travel 1000 miles to find a treasure - all I have to do is zoom through my lens and I will find it for you here in Aurora.

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