Barefoot and Stupid

Barefoot and Stupid

By Aleks Kashefi

Barefoot and stupid, chasing thrills with reckless abandon.

My lungs burn, my muscles scream at me to stop and I feel like I’m fighting with gravity and the ground with each step. BEEP!

That’s my signal to stop. I double over, feeling sick, out of breath and head spinning from the exertion. “How on Earth am I going to do another 7 of these??”

Truth is, I’d jogged. I hate this term! I’d ran for no more than 30s and I was already feeling like death! “Why on Earth would anyone do this for fun?”

Fast forward.

I’ve handed in my notice at a secure and well paid job, I’ve reduced my belongings to the bare minimum and am training hard to set a world first by becoming the first person to run the length of Europe in one effort, travelling 4,750 miles self-supported in under 6 months. More than that, I am a barefoot (minimalist) runner, so I will be covering the 4,750 miles either in bare feet or in minimalist running sandals! So is it possible to do all this after starting running, less than 4 year ago, using a couch to 5k app on a mobile phone??

At 34 years of ageI was unfit, I was overweightwith an ever growing waistline andthe world I’d created for myself and the dreams I’d nurtured were falling apart around me and although I didn’t know it at the time, I was taking slow and deliberate step into the pit of depression. With my normality crumbling around me, I turnedto running to get me out of a hole. It started with a free couch to 5km app and early mornings of death. Then it seemed logical to get the 10km version of the app. This quickly became a half marathon and then marathon app, moving me to longer stints of running. And throughout the whole process finding out more and more about barefoot or minimalist running.

For the Trail Ahead

Men’s Trail Running Gear

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Koulin Trail Short [Mens]

Lightweight, quick-drying trail running shorts with Polygiene® odour control
€39,99 €44,99
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Koulin Trail 3/4 Tights [Mens]

3/4 length trail running leggings with stash pockets.
€39,99 €44,99
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Koulin Trail Tights [Mens]

Trail running leggings with stash pockets
€44,99 €49,99

Koulin Trail Vest [Mens]

Wicking and fast-drying trail running vest with Polygiene®
€27,49

Koulin Trail Long Sleeve [Mens]

Wicking and fast-drying 100% recycled technical tee with Polygiene®
€34,99
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Koulin Trail Long Sleeve Zip [Mens]

Wicking and fast-drying long-sleeved zip neck base layer with Polygiene®
€39,99 €44,99
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Vayper Short Sleeve [Mens]

Ultralight, silk-feel from 100% recycled fabrics and Polygeine®
€39,99 €44,99
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Vayper Long Sleeve [Mens]

Ultralight, silk-feel from 100% recycled fabrics and Polygeine®
€44,99 €49,99
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Gravitas [Mens] tf

Gravitas [Mens]

Ultralight and breathable waterproof 3-layer protection when moving fast and light
€229,99

Morphosis [Mens]

Highly breathable hybrid windproof jacket with grid fleece panels
€119,99

Kantju

Running gaiters to reduce blisters and hot spots
€29,99
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Draught Excluder

It is a hat, a scarf, an ear band…
€5,99 €6,99

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