Object lesson

Do you want to hear a story? It’s about stupidity, mainly, but it’s stupidity that comes from a place of good intention.

I was walking home from the bus stop on Wednesday. Marvelously hot day, and I’d managed to overcome my streak of choosing the wrong outfit for the weather. As a result, I was in a sleeveless blouse, a short short skirt and heels. As soon as I got off the bus, I realised that my feet hurt. Not overwhelmingly, but I had the urge to take my shoes off and walk home, at least a portion of the way, barefoot. Like I used to do, when I was a kid and didn’t have a preoccupation with being properly shod at all times. I love feeling the ground underneath my feet as I walk. It was such a lovely day that I decided to give in to my impulse.

The footpath was hot. I realised that at once. It didn’t feel unbearably hot, though, so I walked barefoot for a couple of minutes before spotting a patch of broken glass up ahead. I chickened out and put my shoes back on then. My feet hurt more now, but I attributed it to the shoes. As soon as I got home I took my shoes off again, and as soon as I took a single agonised step, realised what I’d done. The soles of both feet were burned from contact with the hot pavement. Because of the calluses on my soles, I hadn’t put my shoes back on straight away when I should have. My feet were just great big blisters, apart from the curve of my arches.

So anyway, that’s the story. I know it was dumb, but people do dumb things sometimes.

The next day I couldn’t walk at all to begin with. Friday was bearable. This morning my feet were recovered to an extent that I actually decided to get out there and run, because the blisters were all gone. I was hoping to jump right in to the Marathon training and go for 25 kilometres.

Yeah, didn’t quite get there. But I’m happy with the 14 or so kilometres I did manage to run. I kept getting these sharp stabbing pains from the midsole of both feet. I think this might be a lingering reminder of my burned feet, and probably a useful lesson regarding the importance of shoes unless you’re inside. Or at the beach. Or on grass.

I really want to go to the beach now, so I can walk barefoot in the sand.