Barefoot Running: Top 10 Most Disgusting Things To Step In

http://www.howtorunbarefoot.com

This article is not for the weak of heart nor timid of nature, so be fairly warned. I have stepped on (and in) some nasty stuff while barefoot running; and narrowly avoided stepping in some very, very, revolting things as well, so read on if you dare...

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #1: Chewing Gum

Yes, used, nasty, tooth-imprinted pink wads of chewing gum. Stepped in it.

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #2: Wet Toilet Paper

Toilet paper. Wet, sitting-in-the rain residual toilet paper, you don't know where it came from and you don't want to know. Don't think I actually stepped in it, at least I hope not.

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #3: Goose Poop.

Or dog poop. Or cow poop. Or any kind of poop, really. I have certainly stepped in my share while barefoot running, though not too often (I think). Although I have to say while running through Central Park in NYC there was really no way to avoid the goose poop, it was everywhere. What is the deal with goose poop and Central Park?

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #4: A Dead Weasel.

Yes, a dead, slightly swollen, weasel was stretched out and lying directly in my path while barefoot running on the back roads of Vermont one morning. No, I didn't step in it. I narrowly missed it by about 3 inches.

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #5: A Dead Deer.

Not to be outdone by the dead weasel, a big, dead deer decided to occupy the edge of the road right where I was barefoot running down route 9 in New Hampshire one day. Interestingly, although a dead deer is rather large, I somehow didn't see it until I was nearly on top of it - but then I did (gave me quite a fright). So... didn't step in that one either.

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #6: Small Otherwise Unidentified Dead Things.

Small dead animals of an unidentified nature are sure to pop up somewhere along your route as you are barefoot running. And you are sure to step in them. Just be glad you don't know what it is, hope it had a happy life and try not to think but it too much. I am sure I have stepped in my share, but I'm trying not to think about it.

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #7: Rusty Cans of Schlitz Beer.

Not just any crushed, rusty old beer can. A Schlitz beer can. Thrown there by someone totally uninterested in a good environment, good hygiene or good beer. You don't want to step on one of these while barefoot running. I haven't so far but I am sure it's in my future somewhere. There are too may out there to avoid, I am sorry to say.

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #8: Gasoline-Covered Puddle Water

Not only is the gasoline floating on a dirty puddle filled with lead and other nasty stuff; but it makes it so you can't see what's down inside the puddle. I try to avoid stepping in these, in fact I may prefer stepping on a dead weasel.

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #9: Acorns

Ok, now you may think that acorns are not disgusting, or nasty, or alarming in any way. However, that would only mean that you have never tried barefoot running on them. So you would be wrong. Take a yard full of roly-poly, rock-hard, slippery little acorns, and I might even intentionally step on a dead weasel covered in chewing gum to avoid them. And yes, I have stepped on literally hundreds of acorns while barefoot running. It's horrible.

Most Disgusting Thing to Step In While Barefoot Running #10: A Wad of...Something.

Yes, I have to say that one of the very nastiest things to step in while barefoot running is a soft, squishy wad-o-something that...you are just not sure what it was. Your imagination goes crazy and you really don't want to know what it is but you have to scrape it off somehow. I have stepped in squashy wads of "something or other" more times than I want to count.

Well, that's it - I hope your curiosity had been satisfied, and you have been duly warned about the extremely nasty, alarming, sneaky nature of things you can step on (or in) while barefoot running. Be warned.


Resource Box:
Important! Before you start barefoot running: Besides these disgusting things, you also need to know about knee injuries and barefoot running as well as how to alter your stride to the correct running form (it's different than shoe stride). Get your complete instructions for barefoot running today at: http://www.howtorunbarefoot.com

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• running

[Bobofet241]

I love this,she says to avoid Road Kill like someones going to say,"Oh look! Over there! A rotting Carcass! Wow what a find! Lets run through it !"Yippee!...lol

[holykyleco2]

ROFL "SHIT" oops! haha i love bobofet241's comment rofl

[sndgarden]

Your name from now on shall be CaptainObvious. We thank you for telling us to keep our eyes wide open and not to step in poop and/or dead animals, cuz' it's disgusting. P.S.: I'm no hater :))

[oldpiq]

I don't understand all the comments about the risk of stepping into shit (by shit I mean more than poo). It just sounds like the shoe wearing runners are stepping into shit all the time. Just watch your step (shoes or not).

[melzio69]

what about nails, glass, staples, needles, sharp stuff, ??!?!?!?!?

i prefer earth. instead of man made road. lot less likely to find all that shit on the earth than on the road. ...barefoot running ftw!

[zpgJiggleBilly]

This is great, especially all the chemicals on the road that can be absorbed through your feet. Also roads are not made to run on, especially barefoot, that is unless you want to have injuries due to the hard impacts when your feet hit the road. If your going to run barefoot do it on the earth, it absorbs shock and is a lot safer.

[mookahmookah]

@skapunkscott what was the first thing that came to your mind the first time you ever stepped on poop?

[boarderWood]

if its cold can i wear socks?

[Routanne]

@skapunkscott I gotten so use to it, I forget to wash it off

[galbo212]

u cute

[BadChickNonnie]

wow thats crazy - how many live bugs have you stepped on barefoot? any stories? lol

[Trollstheman]

San Diego is all about bird poop. Its all over the sidewalks.

[skapunkscott]

Love going barefoot (& love your vids) but yeah there's a bad side to it. I've stepped barefoot in my share of dog poop before and while its pretty gross I have kinda gotten used to it. I always forget to clean it up in my backyard and get too lazy to put on shoes when putting out the garbage, so I sometimes am smushing piles under my bare feet. Gotten so used to it that I don't even bother putting on shoes or socks while cleaning up a yard full of dog poop. Washes off feet more easily too!

[TouchTypist]

I cannot believe you said the "S" word. But, I still love you. Keep making vids!

[crazyboar]

Image stabilized camera would be an awesome investment for you no?

[dg2001]

Are your soles tough enough to run on hot pavement, sharp gravel and such things?