No 400 - LEJOG Barefoot Half Way




The Outdoors Station - Audio show

Summary: On Sunday the 16th August 2015 I finally met up with Aleks Kashefi just north of Manchester on the border to the North Yorkshire moors in the small village of Cowling. As you'll hear on the Podcast I was unsure of what state of mind I would find Aleks in, as he is now just over half way of his 1000 mile target. When I've completed the TGO Challenge at 200 miles, depending on the type of crossing I have had, I am either euphoric and ready for more, or weary and ready for a long rest. Aleks has covered 500 miles in 3 weeks compared to my 200 miles in 2 weeks. He was also travelling very light and of course, barefoot. I think the whole exercise is very interesting one, not only of human endurance and perseverance, but also about stripping away another layer of 'protection' we have been encouraged to have for hundreds of years. Is it possible to manage without that heavy boot, shoe or trainer? Do we need 'protection', 'grip' and the worst one of all, 'ankle support'?