Oh The Shoe Irony...

Irreverent heels and skull socks
There's something ironic and slightly irreverent about being a minimal/barefoot runner and wearing heels. The first time I wore heels was at my high school graduation where I nearly fell flat on my face accepting my diploma because my foot rolled inwards walking up the stairs to the stage. I'm pretty sure I barely escaped a catastrophically embarrassing moment. And I didn't even wear heels at my wedding choosing to be comfortable and safe rather than feeling like I was teetering on the edge of a cliff all day. 

So I don't know what possessed me to buy a pair of calf-length boots that had a decent sized block heel about six years ago. My ankles have never been very strong, my feet pronated leaving me horribly unstable and just the thought of my neuroma flaring up with that extra pressure on the ball of my foot has been enough to turn me away from even the cutest of shoes that didn't meet my minimal requirements. In fact, my daily go-to shoes are either these:
Or these: 

I bought these boots during what had to have been a delusional shopping haze. In fact, I don't even remember buying them. And I have only one not-so-fond memory of wearing them. Yeah. One not-so-fond and very PAINFUL memory. I wore them for about four hours to a baby shower and tore them off of my feet as soon as I got home and banished them to the back of my closet never to be worn again. 

Until last night.

The weather was wicked cold and rainy last night and I was rummaging through my closet looking for something that would be warm, comfortable and acceptable to wear to a 50th wedding anniversary party. I was lamenting that my flat summer sandals were just not going to cut it with the skirt I was wearing and the weather. Let me just say right now that I hate buying shoes and my closet is not filled with a lot of dressy options so this was downright frustrating.

Then I saw them. Those old knee-high boots I shoved in the back had about a quarter inch thick layer of dust on them and needed a good cleaning, but I was tempted to give them a shot with little to no other options available. So I did. I wiped them down and put them on. I was still dubious. I thought to myself...I'll give them an hour and bring along my vans (I know... a total fashion faux pas) but hey... I needed a plan B. Everybody needs a plan B.

So we headed out the door and guess what I left behind.... My comfy Vans. Oh well.

I wore those heels for a good three to four hours and guess what? They weren't half bad. In fact, I might even say they were downright comfortable. I felt very stable in them. My neuroma never piped up and they looked pretty hot (at least that's what my husband said). So I felt pretty pleased. And, funny, I had my barefoot running to thank for this pleasant heel wearing experience. 

My feet have definitely gotten stronger since I've been running bare and minimal. Even Seth commented on the transformation last time I saw him. He saw my feet before he taught me how to run pose years ago and he watched me walk barefoot again about a month ago. He was amazed to see how much my pronation has been improved. It was pretty extreme years ago so the difference is pretty obvious. In general, all the muscles in my feet have gotten stronger and even the pads and balls of my feet feel less sensitive to my neuroma which doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but, hey... I'll take it. When I started barefoot running I thought for sure it would aggravate my neuroma or plantar fascitis, but apparently I was wrong.

I can't say I would go out of my way to wear heels from now on, but if the occasion demands it I'm ecstatic to know that I now have options. Options which didn't exist before. That being said, I still wish they made a really hot looking minimal boot.
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Comments

  1. I have a pair of boots like those, in fact I've got heels I can't wear. I HATE how they make my feet feel now. I live on my Luna's or VFF's that's about it! It's kind of a prb when I have to dress up(thankfully not often!)

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  2. Dude I have those same skull socks!!!!

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  3. Angie - Nice! I love those skull socks. I'll bet you rock 'em!!!

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