Huntington Beach man is gearing up to run across America "barefoot"

43-year old Paul Both is a simple man who loves running. He loves it so much he'd do it for four and a half months straight if the opportunity presented itself.

On February 9, 2010 it will.

Both will average 20-30 miles per day as he makes the Run for Liberty from Surf City to Liberty Island. His friend, colleague and cameraman Chris Swenson will join him to document the trek on video while also talking to people along the way about liberty and the Constitution.

Why would they want to talk about something so boring? Because for Both it's a serious matter. His income tax situation has him feeling like Sisyhpus pushing the boulder up the mountain only to watch it come crashing back down on him. The Run for Liberty, inspired by Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty, is a way for Both to cope with his seemingly futile situation and get his message out that the tax situation in this country is not right.

While it may seem like running it barefoot is crazy, Both sees it a a logical decision. Both's 22 year-old daughter Brittany was inspired by Barefoot Ken Bob and started barefoot running a year ago. This prompted Both to learn that it was the safer way to go because it avoided the damaging heel-strike caused by shoe padding. Both started running in his Vibram Five Fingers three months ago and trained to make the Long Beach Marathon his first barefoot race.

With 103 days left Both's focus now is on sponsorship for his self-preservation venture. It remains to be seen which is the bigger challenge--funding or 3,124 miles.