Running On Grass for the Ultimate High

By Bob Deakin

I’ve been running for decades and grateful for the ability to do so. It works out the body, mind, and soul in one shot. Five miles, 45 minutes, done. Save for a few pulls, I’ve never had a chronic condition. 

Three years ago, however, I realized I can’t keep pounding my bones on asphalt and expect to run forever. So I began running on grass. Not high on the stuff, mind you, but on real grass. 

It took a while, but when I ran my first barefoot strides, I wondered, Why haven’t I been doing this all along? Right away I noticed the difference. Softer landing and better workout. We weren’t born with shoes, were we?

It took two weeks to get back to the five-mile range and was easier than expected (or told on running sites). It’s been two years now and seems as natural as two-factor authentication.

Soccer fields or large, well-maintained fields are my surface of choice to avoid the monotony of running in circles. Of course, I’m conscious of stepping on sharp objects, but I promptly developed the habit of scanning the ground in front of me.

It took two weeks to get back to the five-mile range and was easier than expected. I’m now two years in, and it is as natural as two-factor authentication.

Since I’m barefoot I can call it grounding. Or Earthing, since that’s what people ask me if I’m doing. I feel smarter because people notice. 

Earthing, in holistic and wellness contexts, is physical contact with the Earth’s surface for health benefits. Grounding, in scientific terms, is making an electrical connection between the Earth and the body. I like when people say I’m well-grounded. If they only knew.

Earthing and grounding techniques include walking, lying, or sitting barefoot outside, or even using indoor simulations like mats if you can suspend disbelief.

My neighbor has it down to a science. She walks barefoot and strategically places her hands on trees, leaning and stretching at the same time. She can put herself into a spellbinding zen state and completely lose her sense of self.

Whenever I see her in action, I know she’s in a good place and don’t dare interrupt. If I catch her later, it’s therapeutic to listen to her describe it. She is well-grounded.

For those looking to meet me halfway, there are barefoot, minimalist, and grounding shoes for a closer-to-Earth feel, but I consider barefoot to be shoe-less. Their names and descriptions are ambiguous.

FYI, I wear cheap sandals to and from the park: Easy on, easy off. 

Running barefoot on the beach is the ultimate runner’s high, but I live inland. On the beach, the sand exfoliates your feet and the salt water cleanses them. Also, you jump in if you’re hot and sweaty. 

My workout is the closest thing to runner’s heaven on Earth. Unless I’m running on concealed nuclear waste sites, I trust it buys me more time. Furthermore, people think I’m the most grounded man in the land, spellbindingly zen with the cleanest mind and dirtiest feet ever.

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