As you may recall, on August 15th I wrote a blog post on Embarrassed by Your Feet – Part 2. This was a follow up to a post back in April 2008 on the same subject. A reporter from the New York Times had interviewed me and wrote a piece on the same subject. The Secret is Out: We Can See Your Feet. As I expected, I received a few comments about embarrassing feet. I share these below.
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This was an interesting and well-timed posting. I’ve recently been involved with auditions for a Gladiator-style TV program. We run the potential competitors through a function assessment, which requires that they take off their socks and shoes.
The first batch of women, mostly runners, multisporters, and adventure racers, were quite comfortable displaying their feet. On Friday we went through to a football club and 99% of the women did not want to take off their socks (we let them keep them on – easier that way). I find it really hard to understand how they can have such issues with their feet! It is so easy to go for regular pedicures and all kinds of treatments. What is their issue really? “Funny” shaped feet? Long toes? Or do they just neglect their feet and so they have skanky toenails? Surely these girls wear sandals in summer? Or maybe not?
I go to dance classes during the week, where we are barefoot. And the girls take good care of their feet. French pedicures, lovely color shades and hardly a calloused heel in sight. Easy to forget in this environment, and that of runners whose feet are so valuable, that others – in the ‘general population’ or coming from other sporting disciplines where feet are forgotten – can have such foot issues.
Lisa de Speville – Lisa’s adventure racing website
Johannesburg, South Africa
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My feet would not be considered attractive by many people (including me), but since they take me to so many fantastic places and on so many incredible adventures, I am grateful to them. Written from Mt. Hood, where we are 190 miles into a 300-mile backpacking trip on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Susan Alcorn – Shepherd Canyon Books – Publishers of two award-winning books: Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago and We’re in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers.
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I am a hiker/walker and my feet do not embarrass me. I have “good feet”. At least that is what I am told by my sister-in-law. I have a few ugly calluses on the outside of my big toes, but I shave them off when they start to cause problems. During my training hikes and walks I have walked up to 6 hours many times and haven’t had a blister yet. I hope that holds true for my upcoming trek across Spain along the Camino de Santiago. By the way, this website has been very helpful!! Thanks, Rita
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Erskien wrote: “No! I have incredibly functional and beautiful feet!
