(Almost)Barefoot Parramatta
On a hectic work trip to Parramatta, New South Wales, we had a couple of free days to rest up. So I decided I’d take a look at a nearby Parramatta Park, and perhaps squeeze in a walk/run on the park’s loop course.
The stroll from the hotel was quite cold with a strong westerly wind brining on chilling temperatures, however in the sun it was lovely toasty warm.
Turning towards the park I was greeted by the Tudor Gatehouse. The gate opens up to a picturesque scene of Old Government House which we’ll see again on the return leg journey.
Whilst most of the runners, cyclists and motorists headed off in a clockwise direction, I decided to be something of a rebel (LOL) and go anti-clockwise. I did this for a couple or reasons, one was the first leg in the “traditional” direction started immediately uphill and after the previous hectic days I felt I needed to warm myself up for the journey ahead, two I started running in to the sun which often makes for better photos and thirdly I could see oncoming traffic!
Crissing over towards the river I saw it was lush grass, so thought its time to try this out as a barefoot outing! So ditched my favourite Xero Genesis sandals in favour of the “mk1 human foot”!
Switching to barefeet was quite the revelation. Starting out on grass made the transition easier as the feet got used to the cooler ground, gave them an chance to adjust to less protection.
Eventually I completed most of the walk/run in barefeet, save for a trip to the toilet, where wasn’t game to go shoeless in there! :-0
The rest was a completion of the loop, a wonderful lap which totalled 5.7km all up though only the park section of about 2-3km was barefoot the rest in sandals!
The loop and subsequent meanderings are on on my AllTrails page
Live Life Feet First, putting my feet up in the warm sun outside Old Government House Parramatta
