Many Thanks copepodWhich parts of your feet are affected? The solutions will be different for eg heels, ball of foot, toes etc. Are there intact blisters or are they ripped open? Or merely red skin? When you explain problem areas and exact condition of skin, I'll write a proper reply, as I have lots of experience of treating other people's blisters on long mountain races eg Dragons Back Race 2012 and will be at DBR 2015, Steve Birkinshaw's Wainwright Challenge etc. See http://www.dragonsbackrace.com/ http://stevebirkinshaw-wainwright2014.blogspot.co.uk/
You should be tapering training now, so there's time to get your feet in better shape by start line of Brighton Marathon.
Part of the solution could be changing the way you lace your shoes, the types of socks you wear - perhaps consider socks with toes eg injingi toe socks are the best known brand, come in various thicknesses and length up leg, and probably the easiest to acquire quickly.
Cheers mom is my manWill bow to @copepod and their wisdom but, would like to add that you should consider increasing your magnesium, zinc, vitamin D and Vitamin C intake.
All the best for Brighton.
Also, consider replacing your running shoes after the marathon - seems like they're not right for you if you're getting blisters - perhaps worn out? Have you had a gait analysis? Bear in mind it's probably too close to marathon to change them now though. Hope you get sorted.
Many Thanks copepod
I could send a picture if it doesn't offend - but the state of them yesterday probably would! All blisters ripped open - some have been there longer than others - all clean and in relatively good shape.
Problem areas are 2 toes on right foot - solution (small compeeds for cusioning) and zinc tape - working well.
Area of most concern = (think they are called insteps) curve of inside foot. Line of 3 to 4 5 pence piece sized blisters.
Yes tapering and making final decision on which shoes to wear sock etc. Would live to hear about lacing - suspect a bit of extensor tendinitus in left foot and have adjusted the lacing to take pressure of the top half accordingly but there may be a better way.
Looks pretty hardcore that challenge - I'm up for the LDWAs white cliff challenge after the marathon so wouldn't mind a bit of foot advice.
Cheers in advance.
Cheers elydave I will look into these.DEfinitely go down the injinji toe socks route, I've worm those for eight hours in the wet with no issues.
Also for the toes and arches I've used durapore tape successfuly as well.
Wow. Many thanks copepod I will look into all these. Have a really comfy pair of trail shoes but will try with the socks mentioned.Toes: Assuming you don't need to wear your running shoes, and have some other shoes which don't rub the same places, then for now, I'd aim to leave the ripped areas on your right toes undressed, so skin can dry out.If you need to dress, then you'll have to remove dressings before shower / bath to avoid sogginess, which means skin gets damaged a bit each time. If oozing a bit, then, assuming you can keep feet clean ie indoors, not in a muddy field, then I'd leave them uncovered, wearing sandals only. I'd try injinji toe socks for race, washed once, not worn straight from packet, assuming skin is in OK state by start of marathon.
Insteps: again, if possible, leave uncovered if you can keep them clean. Skin will dry and can be trimmed off in next few days. As blister will probably reappear during marathon, I'd suggest getting some film dressings eg Tegaderm to place over area, covering generously, but without creases, so you'll probably need to extend round both sides to top of foot - much less likely to peel off if the edges are in non pressure areas. You will probably need to trim a large dressing, originally eg 10 x 15cm, to 5 x 15cm and trim corners so all are curved, like the originals.
Lacing: a question of experimenting, but often a single overhand knot, to keep lower foot lacing relatively tight, then continuing lacing for rest of foot and tieing at ankle, can work well, Many shoes have double holes at ankle, so you can double back and have knot at 2nd from top holes.
I don't work for Accelerate running shop in Sheffield, but do know several of those who do, through friendships founded in volunteering at / competing in adventure racing, fell running, navigation challenge, adventure film festival etc. So, this webpage may help you:
http://www.accelerateuk.com/magazine/article/61/Injinji-socks---tested/
Plus a couple of articles about foot care for adventure races, which often include many hours of running, usually not on roads:
http://nyara.org/athlete-foot-care/
http://www.planetfear.com/articles/The_Hardcore_Approach_to_Foot_Care_607.html [be warned, lots of gorey photos]
Are you doing 18 miles or 53 miles of LDWA White Cliffs? You've got time to get the right shoes, socks, lacing combination by end August. Remember to only buy shoes in afternoon, when your feet have swollen from morning minimum.You'll need trail shoes, rather than road running shoes, and expect lots of shortish ups and downs. Many people use walking poles on such challenges, so might be worth considering.
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