ANDRZEJ Pilski jokes that he has been a barefoot walker since birth.
“I started walking barefoot the day I started walking as a toddler!” says the 64-year-old.
“I was lucky to live in a time when it was normal that in the summer children ran barefoot. When I grew up, I had to wear shoes for work, but I spent as much of my time barefoot as possible.
“Five years ago I decided to fulfil a long-time dream – to spend all summer barefoot. I felt so happy that I decided to continue it into autumn and then winter.
“Now I live barefoot nearly all year round. I work as an astronomer and am lucky to be able to go to work barefoot too.”
This weekend will be the third time Andrzej has taken part in Naomi House children’s hospice’s fundraising Clarendon Way walk.
He lives in Frombork, Poland, and first heard of the walk while visiting his son’s family, who live in Winchester.
He saw an advert for the walk and decided to give it a go.
“Doing the walk barefoot was an obvious choice for me as I did the whole trip to Winchester barefoot – with emergency shoes in my bag, which weren’t necessary.”
The first time he did the walk he noticed that other participants were taking their shoes off to give their feet a rest and wanted to encourage them to try barefoot walking.
“The Clarendon Way Walk is not easy for bare feet, but there are some nice grassy and dirt paths on the way that are easy for untrained feet,” he says.
“Walkers are taught that good shoes are necessary, but shoes cause many problems and I could see on the walk that people had blisters from their shoes and bandages to protect their feet.
“Feeling grass, dirt, sand and even large, smooth rocks with bare feet is a great pleasure.”
Although Andrzej loves going barefoot, and is even a member of the Society for Barefoot Living, he does wear shoes at times.
“I wear them when I have to – if I can’t go in somewhere barefoot, if it’s embarrassing for my partner or if they are necessary for protection in a dangerous environment.
“My ideal isn’t to avoid shoes but to include ‘no shoes’ in my set of footwear. Of course, bare feet are my favourite, but I also like sandals and moccasins.
“It feels much better having bare feet. I have no additional weight to lift, and as my feet are trained for barefoot walking they work as nature intended and my toes give me a boost with every step. Also my knees are not overloaded and I do not suffer from knee pain, like many people my age.”
Although barefoot walking does have its hazards, Andrzej says they are minimal.
“I do sometimes tread in things but very rarely. Usually I watch my step but sometimes I feel as if my feet have their own eyes. I stop intuitively then see something dangerous ahead.
“Walking barefoot is best when you’re not in a hurry.”
- To sponsor Andrzej, visit fundraising.naomihouse.org.uk/cww 2013barefoot Andrzej is happy to talk about barefoot walking and answer any questions from other participants at the Clarendon Way Walk on Sunday.
TOP BAREFOOT WALKING TIPS
- Start out slowly and on suitable terrain, such as a forest floor or grassy path
- Keep an eye on the path ahead
- Always step straight down – never shuffle
- Try a variety of surfaces before attempting a longer hike
- Send your weight down through the balls of your feet, rather than your heels
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