It finally happened....I was told at the local YMCA that I must wear shoes on the treadmill, after more than 4 years of nobody saying anything (I run in SNOX socks that have a tiny bit of traction on bottom). This probably happened because I went during “grumpy old people time”. I commented to my wife as we entered that I have never been to the Y in the middle of the day like this. Anyway, I got someone to agree that if I have a doctor’s note saying I need to run without shoes I would be OK but my Doctor is a hard NO on that, without a legitimate medical reason, which I do not have. I think I’m going to call some podiatrists though....maybe I can be a trailblazer instead of a whiner. Seems unlikely but I’ll give it a shot!
Well, the first Podiatrist I called was nice enough to bypass the evaluation and simply say they will not write a note to go against the rules of Big Broth...errr....I mean the YMCA. What gets my goat is that I’ve been running on the treadmills in socks for years at this location. I’m a little tempted to go back with my Xero running sandals and start to REALLY make a scene! Edit - but honestly, after some thought maybe I’ll get something minimal and stop rocking the boat! I certainly understand everyone’s position which is basically dictated by insurance companies. So if I really want a rational explanation for this foolishness, and somebody says “for insurance purposes”, then that is a perfectly rational argument. C’est la vie, right?
You could try negotiating ... go dressed as Borat in a pair of huaraches. During grumpy old-folks time, of course, and when they complain, suggest the Snox as an alternative.
@BFGD What if you go back, wearing your usual footwear, but not during grumpy old people time (go at your traditional time)? Perhaps no one will notice.
