In both Once a Runner and Again to Carthage, JLP mentions over and over and OVER again that Quinton Cassidy runs without socks. In the first book I thought it was funny. When it happened again in the second book I was pretty baffled.
Is this a 70s thing? Were socks back then just that bad for running and everyone did without? Or is this just another QC habit that’s supposed to be quirky and droll and all that jazz
no socks was a big thing in the late 90s/early 00s. Webb didn't wear socks when he was in high school. no socks feels fantastic but leads to stinky shoes.
it's a fictitious book?? If it said Cassidy ate jello every morning before a run, would you be asking why runners in the 70's ate jello before their runs?
I think it's so much more comfortable. I've tried really expensive running socks but I just like the feel of going sockless better.
I started running in the early 70's and a lot of guys did it but remember, there were virtually no hobby joggers back then.
Once a while ago- early 2000's someone posted a picture of every competitor in a world or Olympic 10,000 (Maybe Sydney?) to look at their foot strike and someone noticed that very, very few were wearing socks.
Many great runners, including Parker Valby, sometimes race sockless. Deal with it.
Hey pal, I race sockless in my spikes all the time! I get that 100%. Every time it’s mentioned in the book though (other than the marathon trials, like someone said above), it’s after a standard mileage run. I love racing sockless, but a long run? My dogs would be barking by the end, I’m sure of that. Then again, I’ve never done 60x400 barefoot, either, so I suppose it’s apples to oranges if we’re talking foot toughness.
I appreciate all the legit answers. I feel marginally wiser, but I think I’ll stick to my Costco Puma socks for now.
Pretty much based on Gainesville, UF, Florida Track Club from early 70’s.
One of Shorter's autobiographies mentions Parker multiple times. It sounds like the author not only was in the area but hung out extensively with Frank and his gang. However, I've read another, earlier Shorter autobiography (don't know how many reworkings of his story have been published or how many more he will churn out while still alive) in which Bachelor and some other guys are mentioned but Parker is not. So, although it is hard for me to say how involved he was in that scene. I certainly wasn't there. Was JLP? I tend to believe....