A Photographer and a “Wannabe” Trail Runner and my Joy of Barefoot Footwear
My Xero Genesis Sandals
Hiking and trail running with a camera for me is more than just a physical activity; it’s an opportunity to make a connection with nature, alleviate stress and all the while capturing nature’s beauty through photography. As long as I can remember, I’ve had this affinity with nature, developed through contact with Whites Hill Reserve as a child, and having a parent who came from a rural background.
Trail running started on a little over two years ago as a way to get more exercise after a short period of illness. I can’t recall why I embraced trail running per se, but remembered it began whilst on a day hike and for some reason decided to try running. The experience was one of pure joy (if not a little out-of-breathlessness) over and above just pure hiking.
I had tried jogging on the footpath and roads, and frankly hated it! So it comes as a surprise that I got hooked on trail running. The changes of surface, the undulations and even the nearly invisible roots and stones that litter the path and can result in an unceremonious face plant helped build that feeling of joy and connectedness with nature.
“Barefoot Footwear”
As a photographer for over 40 years, it took me a while to fully develop my appreciation for both the trails I wander and the art of documenting them. This appreciation which led to trail running consequently led me deeper down the trail running rabbit hole and on a tangent I discovered and started to explore“Barefoot Footwear”.
The journey began when I went in search of trail running shoes, which led me to a nearby trail running specialty store The Trail Co. Here I found the most comfortable shoes (for me at least) they had in stock were a pair of Altra Olympus 5 shoes. But after a while I found them a little “too comfortable,” being heavily cushioned (but I still treasure them) but I craved was to be able to feel the bumps, the textures, including all the other ouchies and the “ooooh” factors. Soon enough along came my soon to be faves the Xero Sandals. I still use the Altras for longer journeys in less familiar terrains, but intend to fully transition to more “barefoot” attire!
Unlike the usual shoes or hiking boots, which make me feel detached from the environment, barefoot shoes and moreso the sandals gave me the minimalistic feel I craved. This in turn gives me better ground feel and enhanced the feeling of being in nature… including to odd stone, twig “enhancing” the experience. Apparently the word I am looking for is “proprioception.” But the upside was I was able to feel and react to potential ankle twisting hazards quicker than being fully shod.
Photography
As a photographer, I am finding each journey is like opening of a new chapter in my own story, and the camera gives me the ability to record that story through imagery. For the trail running, I generally only carry an iPhone the quality of which I have found to be wonderful.
The iPhone fills a gap, which due to the “bouncy” nature of trail running precludes the use of a heavier, less pocketable camera. This easily fits in to a pocket of my Salomon Active Skin 12 Set or Salomon Adv Skin running belt
The hiking/trail running route allows me to capture the small details— whether it’s the delicate patterns of leaves, rugged rocky terrain, the shadows cast by the flora or the surprise of encountering any number of the local fauna. Combined these create the visual narrative of each journey.
The combined aspects of hiking/trail running, photography, and through the barefoot footwear create the experience I am looking for in the outdoors. With barefoot footwear, every step feels “real” and reiterates to me that I am a part of this natural world. Photography allows me to capture the beauty I see, deepens my appreciation for the natural world and share it with people around me.
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