Lynne Allbutt

Unshodden update - race day is nearly here!

Well it’s nearly here ... my Barefoot Tree-athlon, for ‘Trees for Cities’ in Battersea Park and the reason I kicked my boots off back at the beginning of the year. 
It’s been a tricky path to negotiate and admittedly the boots have been back on much of the time – especially for work.  Landscaping, dry stone walling, and tiny-holding chores don’t lend themselves to bare toes.
I started the year well, despite the cold.  Walking across the moors in January seems so long ago though I can still remember the pain, not from whatever went underfoot but from the cold.  It was the cold and car parks that were my main obstacles.  The cold for obvious reasons but car parks are just so ‘dirty’, with a daunting covering of grit and glass; tarmac is also extremely cold in the winter. 
Other possible obstacles were overcome with enthusiasm and nervous energy – obstacles like visiting supermarkets, restaurants, giving talks and presentations, Radio Shows and even just walking down the High Street.  I only encountered positive comments and encouragement; it was enlightening, especially as I expected confrontation particularly in Public places.
Moving up a gear and progressing from simply being barefoot to running unshodden was another interesting level.  Running barefoot on the mountain moss or grass is exhilarating and liberating; running barefoot on tarmac is unforgiving and abrasive ... initially.  Persevere and it too can become exhilarating and liberating although it is easy to underestimate the effect of sole-on-road.  Imagine pumice-stoning your feet and times it by 100.  Some days have been much easier than others which I put down to emotional and hormonal states!  Sensitivity has a whole new meaning when you are shoe-loose and fancy free.
I met the Barefoot Doctor for lunch a few times and he was incredibly supportive .... and shod!  He is an amazing guy; insightful, authentic and humble .... all words that came up a lot whilst I was barefoot.  There is a definite spiritual shift once you skip shoes for any length of time.  I’m sure most of us have experienced it at the beach or in the park briefly but the longer you are ‘sans shoes’ the more ‘aware’ you become – of everything. 
You are obviously more focussed from a practical viewpoint simply because you have to look where you’re going; that in itself is like a permanent walking meditation and stills that constant inane chatter in our heads.  You are also more aware of your surroundings simply because you are literally more connected to them.  I didn’t want to eat meat; I meditated more; I talked less and listened more; I became more assured and authentic; and these are just a few of the organic changes that I noticed.
Toward late spring, it became apparent that although being barefoot required one to be hardy, being without my steel toe-capped boots in my area of work was fool-hardy.  I still chose to be unshodden as often as was safe and sensible but it wasn’t as often as I’d have preferred. Whereas I could see the benefits of being barefoot, unfortunately my Bank Manger couldn’t.
I have continued to train without trainers and am feeling confident about running the 5K barefoot on Saturday.  It is my intention to continue to indulge in barefoot bliss as often as I can and also to continue to promote the advantages of being unshodden at least occasionally -  in particular as an ideal way to encourage people to re-connect with Nature; another of my projects. 
I’d like to thank all the people who have supported my unshodden journey thus far; from friends, Vibram Five Fingers, celebrities, Charity hosts  and even more random corporate kindness like that of the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel who will be welcoming me for my pre-race night.
My barefoot experience has already led to many unexpected opportunities and I am sure will lead to many more.  I am a great believer in each one of us having a Divine Path, as described by many great teachers like Florence Scovel Shinn,  and I highly recommend at least part of it be travelled unshodden.   http://www.abergavenny-chronicle-today.co.uk/News.cfm?id=33648&headline=Lynne's%20running%20wild%20for%20charity

Back to barefootin' .....

Time has been sprinting past me over the last few months and I have felt more and more like the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland than ever (and in more ways than one).
The landscaping business has been busy (thankfully), the stone and slate engraving is getting busier (thankfully) and I have had some lovely commissions for engraving small memorial stones that can be left on the side of a footpath that had been a favourite walk of a loved one, I have recorded a couple of pieces from ‘the Tiny Holding’ for BBC Radio Wales, created a Labyrinth with the fabulous dowser John Flavell, been looking after my bees and also recently delivered 24 pet piglets (more details on www.pepperpotpigs.com or @PepperpotPigs on Facebook and Twitter) ..... and I HAVE been endeavoring to keep up my ‘barefootin’.  Though I must admit I have often been too tired to put one foot in front of the other - shodden or otherwise!
It’s been tough going at times and I must admit that I am no longer shoe-loose and fancy free for most of the time; whereas I had some lovely ‘spiritual’ experiences whilst unshodden the security of my steel toe capped boots has proved pretty essential over the last few months, given what I do on a daily basis!
However as I still have my barefoot 5K to run in September in Battersea Park,   http://www.treesforcities.org/get-involved/tree-athlon/   I have had to keep up some barefoot training.  I have been out for walks as regularly as possible unshodden and mostly on tarmac as a more effective way to harden up the soles of my feet.  Yogi the terrier-ist has become quite accustomed to our late night unshodden walks and even the odd unshodden run over the mountain road in the early hours of the morning.  These runs are now going to have to become a little more frequent to be effective and to prevent blisters and sore feet in September.  Now the 3 little pigs have farrowed, I am planning to run shoeless a little more often and maybe even do the odd ‘warm-up’ barefoot 5K or long walk beforehand (or before foot).
I apologise if you have popped in to see how I have been doing and wondered where I had tiptoed off to;  it all started so well early in the year and I loved it ... but now I’m back – barefoot training and blogging about it.
 And if there is someone who is interested in sponsoring me to make barefootin’ a more regular occurrence in the future, let me know!

Still Shoe-loose and Fancy Free

  It's been a while since I've blogged barefoot or rather blogged about being barefoot but rest assured,  it's not due to a lack of unshodden experiences, more a preference of being barefoot than of blogging!.   I spent a fabulous 3 days at the RHS Flower Show at Cardiff as a barefoot bee-keeper (although Health and Safety insisted my digits were wrapped in steel toe caps for the building of the garden – and that's fair enough.)
The Show was a huge success and as well as promoting Be-friending Bees, I had a huge amount of support for my unshodden journey.  I also persuaded Welsh tenor, Wynne Evans (who plays Gio Compario of Go Compare fame) to dress in a bee-keepers suit as The Sting for a competition …. and he was also ‘papped’ barefoot.

The brilliant Claire Raikes  http://www.claireraikes.com/ stood in for me for a few hours whilst I went to a ‘posh’ lunch at one of Cardiff’s top Hotels – in my beekeepers suit and barefoot.  I sat next to Radio 2’s Lynn Bowles who was particularly impressed and promised to share with her listeners the fact that running without shoes uses 4% less oxygen.  
And as only a true friend could – Claire stepped into my shoes by kicking off  hers and spent her time at the Show barefootin’ too.   The unshodden movement may be about 'baby steps’ but there are huge strides being made ...
I have been back on the Radio, on TV and given numerous talks unshodden and have  become fabulously un-phased about it.  Whilst being shoeless is not particularly getting easier (grit has become the enemy), it is feeling more normal.  I have only had encouragement, praise and interest; no negativity whatsoever. 
The primary school children I spoke to during their Eco-week even showed their support by removing their own shoes and socks to listen to me.  That was special!
Next week I am speaking to 200 women at a Ladies Luncheon Club in Stratford upon Avon.  They have told me they will all be wearing hats, to mark the Royal Wedding, and have asked that I wear one too.  I readily agreed, adding quickly that I will also be barefoot ….. it'll be first (for them and me) ….... big hat and bare feet.
On a practical level, I am going for little barefoot walks every evening, just up and down the country lane which is fine until a car comes and I have to step into the hedge! 
And another footnote -  walking downhill shoe-loose and fancy-free is trickier than walking uphill; as I walk down the hill, the contents of my feet kinda scrunch up into my toes, it’s weird and comical at the same time.
I still have to get a pair of Vibram 5-fingers but am struggling to decide on the design and would really prefer to try them on before I buy though can't see how that's going to happen as there are no local stockists.  I also want to get a pair of those little 'roll-up' shoes that will fit into my back pocket.  It will give me a bit more confidence to walk a bit further afield.
Another unexpected challenge has been hot tarmac.  As difficult as the cold weather made my unshodden steps a little while ago, walking barefoot on hot tarmac has proved equally as tricky.  I was reminded of my chiropodists words, “We may well have been designed to be barefoot but not on tarmac and concrete slabs!”  Give me cool moss and wet grass anytime; walking unshodden through puddles and wet grass has definitely proved to be one of the unexpected perks to getting my pinkies out – try it, it’s bliss. 

Still unshodden ...

I am reminded of a saying “I try to take a day at a time but sometimes I get hit by a week at once “, well I seem to get overtaken by a week at a time ...
Despite not managing to have blogged about being barefoot for a little while, I have nonetheless managed to be barefoot for a lot of the time.  It’s still proving to be as liberating as ever and I did indeed smile when I recently read the following, “Imagine you are walking barefoot on the Earth.  Ten to one (like me) you will be smiling at the thought.  That’s no accident!  When we touch the body of our planet we, in turn, are restoring our ancient connection with it.  Incidentally, walking barefoot has proven to be highly beneficial for our health (but choose your spot with care, away from dog walkers).”
This is taken from a fabulous book that I was given for my birthday, “Energy Secrets” by Alla Svirinskaya. http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Secrets-Ultimate-Well-being-Plan/dp/1401907075 It is quite amazing, the 

Barefoot bee-keeping at RHS Show in Cardiff

 

I have just agreed to design and create an inspirational garden for the Cardiff RHS Show in April, with just 2 weeks to sort it all out I’ve earned the nickname of last-minute-lynne.com

I’ll be promoting bees and how you can help their plight, either by keeping them or simply by feeding them by introducing bee-loving plants into your garden.  No matter how big or small your garden is there are many ways you can befriend the bees.

I will also be ‘barefoot’ at the Show as part of my Unshodden journey (as seen on my website) so I’m looking forward to the rather unconventional aspect of barefoot bee-keeping and of course, being ‘Barefoot in the Park’.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Show-Cardiff/2011/What-s-new

See you there!

Lynne x

Unshodden Chiropody

I am a practical person; therefore as I take baby steps along my unshodden path it made sense to me to go and call in on a Chiropodist en-route. 
I did consider walking into his ‘surgery’ barefooted but it seemed a little bit ‘forward’, a bit like taking the engine to the mechanic rather than letting him see the whole car.  So I decided against it – I would tread lightly and just bring it up in conversation.  I was intrigued to get a ‘professional’ view on my quest, and as a professional presumably he would say ‘don’t do it .....’
To the contrary.  But first, I have to say what a ridiculously nice guy he is.  I use the word ‘ridiculous’ in the ‘incredible’ sense of the word;  you could tell he didn’t even have to try to be nice, he just was.  A man obviously happy with himself, his life and his work.  A good start ...

Unshodden Shopping

  I have to admit that this morning’s first unshodden shopping trip, was made more by default than design.  It was a foul morning weather-wise, the type of morning you wouldn’t even put a milk bottle out in;  and after working outdoors for the last couple of days that wasn’t an option again today, not even in my own garden.  House work? Not an option either.  Period.  And as the fridge was empty, it seemed like the ideal time to venture into a supermarket ..... unshodden. 
I anticipated a confrontation or at least a questioning. 
Before doing anything remotely ‘challenging’ barefoot (or shodden for that matter), I tend to indulge in a little visualisation – just to get clear on the outcome I’d like.  This morning was no exception.  Before leaving, I pictured myself wandering along the supermarket aisles, picking up the food I wanted, going through the checkout quickly and cheerfully and driving back home feeling rather pleased with myself, all barefoot and blissfully easy. And that’s precisely what happened.  Despite believing completely in the power of manifestation, or segment intending as Esther and Gerry Hicks describe it, I am nonetheless rather shocked!
I chose Asda’s as I wanted to get my brother a DVD and they have the best choice.  Plus, secretly I was confident they would be the least likely to be upset with an unshodden shopper. 
Driving barefoot is now absolutely dreamy.  Negotiating the car park barefoot was a nightmare.  I picked my way from the truck to the front doors like a kid trying not to step on the cracks of a pavement   - and just as conspicuously; and yet no one said anything.  It was tipping down with rain though, so not ideal conditions to stop and find out why a blonde was picking her way barefoot through the supermarket car park on a Saturday morning in torrential rain at the beginning of February.
Just outside the entrance, a woman kindly passed me her trolley and looked directly at my feet – perhaps that’s why she gave me the trolley - but still nothing was said.  Once through the doors, I sloped off to the DVD section and busied myself looking for a specific DVD, to give myself time to adjust to my environment ... was it hostile or friendly?   Hmmm, indifferent so far – time to mix with the Natives then, so I tiptoed around men’s clothing and straight into the ready meals.    Wow, it was busy; too busy maybe?  I thought about leaving; not least of all because I felt it was inevitable that someone was going to step on my foot and my fellow shoppers were not exactly feather-weights. 
I talked myself into the safety of the fruit and veg aisle and relaxed a little in the familiar and quieter surroundings.   After a few minutes, overwhelmed with courage and confidence, I asked a guy, replenishing the banana box, if he would mind taking a photo of me helping myself to courgettes.  “OK,” he said, taking my phone,  “do you want all of you, like your feet as well?”
Ha – he’d noticed. “Yes please, particularly my feet” I smiled, throwing down the gauntlet
“OK” he said and took the photo.  As he handed me my phone back he said casually, “That’s probably the maddest thing I’ve been asked to do since I’ve been here” and went back to his bananas.
And that was it! No questions, no queries, no chastising, no Manager called, no problem!
The rest of the grocery-gathering went by equally as uneventful though I didn’t brave the cake and biscuit aisle as that was a bit of a Scrum.  I made my way to the till, packed, paid and left ... unshodden and unchallenged. 
Once back at the truck (note to self – negotiating car parks barefoot may have to be re-considered), Yogi’s little face inspired me to tiptoe over to Pets at Home to do her shopping.   Brimming over with bravado, I bought her treats and asked the guy on the checkout to take another photo for me. “No problem,” he said, “but you’re not from Health and Safety are you?  They wouldn’t like this.” “Do I look like a Healthy Safe person?”  I retorted; he shrugged at this obvious oversight.  “I’ve just been into Asda’s,” I continued, “they didn’t mind."    "They wouldn’t” he laughed “but you won’t get into Tesco.  I used to work for them and they’re mad keen about Health and Safety; you’ll never get into Tesco’s.”
Sounds like a Challenge to me

Lynne Allbutt

Cold Feet .....

It may seem as though I have been dragging my (unshodden) feet recently, with regard to blogging about being barefoot but to be honest it's been too damn cold to get my toes out.  Last week I only managed to be unshodden four times. 
Once whilst launching Marie Curie's Swimathon at Cardiff International Pool and to be honest, everyone else was unshodden too …... obviously! 
The second time was for (another) lunch meeting at the infamous Bear Hotel in Crickhowell with the Barefoot Doctor (who, incidentally, was snuggled up in socks and Crocs) and I've also managed to squeeze in two barefoot workouts at the gym. Oh and you know what, I also went out to a Chinese Restaurant for dinner barefoot too and had to walk a ridiculously long way to and from the car, on cold wet pavements. 
Actually,  I seem to have been unshodden more often than I initially thought; I wonder if that means it is becoming more 'normal'?  Wow.
I was also close to tears more than once last week, whilst working outdoors in temperatures of -5 and not even being able to feel my feet (or hands) despite them being safely wrapped up in two pairs of socks and neoprene boots.  The cold can be cruel; it's also exhausting.  And true to form, the harder it is to do something, the stronger my desire to do it.  The steeper the climb, the stronger my desire to see the view from the top.  I can’t wait for the better weather so my unshodden journey can really pick up the pace!
I have been doing a little barefoot footwork; I have decided to go to a chiropodist, just to get the ok, to give my feet the best start they can have on this barefoot path; I've researched the Vibram Fivefingers http://www.primallifestyle.com/  – a kind of foot glove (and will be investing in a pair as soon as I can decide which ones); I've checked out different types and styles of folding and rolled up shoes which will be sensible to keep in my pocket once I start stepping up my unshodden status (and will be investing in a pair of those too, as soon as I've decided which ones!)
But despite being a little indecisive about footwear,  I seem to have been 'finding my feet' in other areas of my life.  Being barefoot is like dropping a mask; I am already feeling more comfortable in my skin; being barefoot suits me.  I'm loving the paradox of feeling 'free' and yet connected.  Light and yet grounded.  Authentic yet unconventional. 
Since working with the motivational coach Anthony Robbins,  I have always been conscious of the importance and value of  'stepping up'; I just never thought I'd be taking my shoes and socks off to do it.!

Lynne Allbutt

From Walking on Air to Talking on Air

I finished my last Blog admitting I felt as though I was walking on air; well, his week I have been talking on Air!
A huge heel-felt thank you to Jason Mohammed and his team at BBC Radio Wales for sole-y supporting my unshodden journey.  I had half been expecting the Security at BBC Wales to be the first recipient of my Hard Sole Award for not let me over the thresh-hold with bare feet.  To the contrary, they were all absolutely fabulous.  John, the Security guy on the desk didn't even raise an eyebrow, not even when two other visitors felt it necessary to point out the fact that I was barefooted, as though I didn't know.  John was cool and simply side-stepped the whole issue by asking after Yogi (after seeing her on the CCTV) and share stories about his dippy Doberman and feisty terrier.  He also shared his love for a rather unconventional garden sculpture and even went onto the internet to show me the website. http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Montclaire-Moors-Sculpture/dp/B001M2AIIE
So there I was behind the desk at BBC Wales looking at Zombie Garden Sculptures with the Security guy and without shoes and socks.  Surreal moment No. 12. (at least)
The Phone-In team were intrigued and asked all sorts of questions as waited to go into the Studio and then, live on Air, Jason shared my whole unshodden status with the listeners.  I have to hand it to him, he is one cool cookie;  he simply said, “Lynne, all the interaction we have had via emails you have always signed off with 'Boots on….', ironically you arrive here at the Studio with your boots off and your feet out! What's it all about?”
So I explained; a whole unexpected, unrehearsed, unconventional, unshodden confession, LIVE.  It was bloody great.
Great and humbling; people are being so supportive and just so genuinely 'interested'.  A fellow guest on the Phone-In Panel, the Deputy Chairman of Glamorgan Cricket Club, was suited, booted and not only impressed with my unshodden status but also complimentary about my feet!  Another first. So, it transpires, not only do I have the face for radio but also the feet …..
Despite the compliments, I have been 'mostly shod' for a couple of days as I have been making the most of the non-extreme weather and catching up with work on-site and in my own garden but I will be launching Marie Curie's Swimathon event at Cardiff with Duncan Goodhew on Wednesday 26th, so have the perfect excuse to get my feet out again; ironically I obviously won't be the only bare footer poolside.
I'm looking forward to it; it's for a great cause and I first met Duncan, who is lovely,  a couple of years ago but I must admit I am whiter than Casper the Ghost and not at all thrilled with the idea of baring so much more than my feet! Unshodden is one thing, undressed is quite another …....... 

Lynne Allbutt

Unshodden and Unforgettable

I have just got back an unshodden run across the mountain.  And I am busting with excitement.  It was amazing.  I am soaked though, my feet are tingling, I am splattered with mud and I have the biggest grin on my face.
The weather is filthy; it's pouring with rain and blowing a gale, the sort of weather you wouldn't even put a milk bottle out in.  That's why I went – I guessed there wouldn't be too many other people walking on the moors.  I was right.  Just me and Yogi (the terrier-ist) and she's never queried anything I do as long as it involves her and a good walk.
The ground is still cold, really cold.  It's supposed to be around 14 degrees today but there is no way that is ground temperature.  That still surprises me, just how cold it is underfoot.  But wasn't long before my feet were tingling again and this time the cold, wet moss and heather was far more bearable than my last barefoot (and brief) tiptoe through the icy snow. 
I didn't intend to run unshodden outdoors today.  I had a barefoot workout at the gym this morning and had promised Yogi that we'd have a barefoot walk afterwards, on the way home.
My unshodden gym workouts have actually become really enjoyable.  Running trainer-free on the treadmill has turned into a treat – I kid you not!  It just feels so natural; it's far easier and more enjoyable than with trainers and I'm grateful to Ian, the owner of Keepers Fit in Abergavenny, http://www.keepersfit.co.uk/  for being so accommodating - “each to their own”, he simply shrugged.
The rain on the mountain was horizontal in the strong blustery wind; my leggings were soaked before I'd even finished rolling them up.  'Oh well, skin is waterproof ' I reminded myself as I started walking in Yogi's wake.  After the initial 'ow-ow-ow-cold-cold-cold' mantra, I found myself naturally breaking into a light jog.  Oh my God it felt good.  The moss is springy and just the perfect medium to run on and the fact that it was so wet made it seem even more 'naughty'.  I splashed and squelshed along happily for  10 or 15 minutes, enjoying the feeling of mud and moss squishing up between my toes.  My feet and my heart felt as light as a feather.  The sense of freedom is awesome.  Shoes may not actually weigh that much but the 'anchoring' effect they have is enormous and hard to believe, until you throw them overboard.
Within just 20 minutes of unshodden running in the rain, I am wetter than an otter's pocket, splattered in mud and extremely uplifted.  I drive home barefoot and after the usual routine of wiping Yogi's paws, use her towel to wipe my own feet.  They are filthy and I even have mud under my toenails.  That's a whole new experience in itself.  I'm looking forward to a bath but not before I share this latest unforgettable unshodden step with you. 

Lynne Allbutt