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Middle/Long Distance Runners: Advice Needed

post #1 of 18
9/6/07 at 12:07pm
Thread Starter 
So, I've started doing a fair bit of running recently, but nothing too intense. I'm going 4-5 miles at a time, which is pretty good for a tall, slow guy like me. My question is: I'm starting to blister up pretty good, and I don't know how concerned I should be or what I should do about it. Basically, I don't want to risk infection or anything else by running on feet covered in popped blisters, and I'd like to do everything possible to prevent a recurrence. Any advice?
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post #2 of 18
9/6/07 at 12:16pm
Better shoes.
Better socks.

Maybe not start off doing 4-5 miles... tone that down to 1 or 2.
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post #3 of 18
9/6/07 at 12:21pm
Band-aid sells "Blister block" patches that basically weld to your feet and help you cope with bigger ones. I'd give those a try.

But the most important thing is shoes and socks. If you haven't already, go to Pacers in Clarendon or Old Town and get them to look at your shoes, and pick up some high-tech socks. The key is to avoid friction and moisture.

Once you've been running for a few months, the blister spots should toughen up into callouses, and you'll be fine. But getting over the initial blister hump can be challenging for some folks.
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post #4 of 18
9/6/07 at 12:29pm
To elaborate on what Boomstick said (which is right), get some good running shoes if you don't already have them. I don't get blisters but a lot of callouses on my feet from running, which isn't so bad when I run regularly but sucks when I resume it after two weeks without it because I'm busy working. Then it's just painful and I have lots of skin peeling off my feet.

Your shoes may be too loose as well. In that case, either get bigger cushions or soles, tie your laces tighter and double knot them, or just get better fitting shoes.

Get thicker socks, and if you just started running, 4-5 miles per session is probably too much. Let your feet develop some callouses before going that far.
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post #5 of 18
9/6/07 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelo Mike
Get thicker socks, and if you just started running, 4-5 miles per session is probably too much. Let your feet develop some callouses before going that far.
There are also double-layer socks that help allow you to glide around a little in your shoe with less blister rubbing.

If you go to a real running store, they can put you on a treadmill, analyse your stride, and get you into shoes that suit your method of moving and your foot type (width, arch, etc).

The right shoes and socks make all the difference.
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post #6 of 18
9/6/07 at 12:41pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone. I think my shoes are a pretty good fit, but I was thinking that socks might have something to do with it. Looks like I was on the right path. Good call on Pacers, Joe, I totally forgot about that place. Looks like I'm headed there on Saturday.
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post #7 of 18
9/6/07 at 12:49pm
I used to almost every other day, but I fucked up my left foot so much I can't run more than a mile anymore.

My best advice is to take it slow and if you feel something wrong, stop and give your body ample time to recover.

Also, I would highly recommend getting a good pair of shoes and replacing them often. I hear some people replace theirs after a certain number of miles. It's cheaper to get new shoes often than having to deal with injuries or cronic conditions because your being a cheap ass on foot wear.
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post #8 of 18
9/6/07 at 1:08pm
Replace shoes every 500 miles or so. Or about every 6 months. I went too long with my last pair (about 16 months, at only about 20 miles a week), and I started getting some serious back pain. I bought new shoes and the pain ceased immediately.
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post #9 of 18
9/6/07 at 1:17pm
My roommate started using that for his nipple chafing.
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post #10 of 18
9/6/07 at 1:35pm
Because I know how tall you are, I wonder if there's some correlation between the damage to your feet and how long your freakish legs are.

But yeah, I'd say buying some good socks is a start in the right direction.
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post #11 of 18
9/6/07 at 3:05pm
Nipple chafing is horrific -- other than having both calves cramp simultaneously in mile 20 of the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon, it's the worst running-related pain I've ever felt! Lube them up!
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post #12 of 18
9/6/07 at 3:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Troy n
I replace my shoes every six months. They break down pretty fast. I'm really lucky (knock wood) I don't have problems with my feet but the guy at the running store I go to sure does. He uses a product called body glide. It's an anti blister and chaffing stick. He swears by it.

Worth a try.
Oh, yeah. Body Glide is a godsend. Also, you can use Certain-Dri if you have excessive sweating. Friends tell me it's definitely helpful if you have foot sweating issues and are going on an important long run.
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post #13 of 18
9/6/07 at 3:48pm
Is there anything to do to stop the chafe that doesn't involve using something that's obviously a dildo lubricant?
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post #14 of 18
9/6/07 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guttenberg Fan Club
Is there anything to do to stop the chafe that doesn't involve using something that's obviously a dildo lubricant?
"Spot"-style band-aids do the trick for me. Just be careful not to snag a chest hair.
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post #15 of 18
9/6/07 at 4:15pm
My hobbit nipples find band-aids to be unacceptable. It's lube all the way for me.
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post #16 of 18
9/7/07 at 11:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guttenberg Fan Club
Is there anything to do to stop the chafe that doesn't involve using something that's obviously a dildo lubricant?
If you're using a Body Glide stick on your dildos you need some serious help. And some Astro Glide.
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post #17 of 18
9/8/07 at 4:03am
Someone should make it a point not to give Belethedheliel a reason to mention the syllables Astro Glide.
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post #18 of 18
9/8/07 at 9:21am
I used chap stick or bag balm to keep the chaffing down.
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