Duct Tape, A Runner’s BFF?
by carlywen ~ February 14th, 2011. Filed under: Running.
Ajhfkadhfaksjfhasd. That is how I feel right now after just running 12km. I threw myself on the floor when I got home pretending to stretch when really I was just playing dead. (Don’t worry, I actually did a proper stretch.)
The route was pretty insane. From the LadySport on 4th and Alma to the Burrard Bridge, over the Burrard Bridge then along Pacific and Beatty to the Cambie Bridge and over, then all the way along 2nd back to Alma. I ran past where I used to work in Yaletown in the summer… I ran past BC Place… I ran past a whole whack of places I never thought I would run past starting out in Point Grey.
I want to take this time to sincerely apologize to my feet. They’ve been through a lot and tonight they decided no more. In the span of 80 minutes I managed to form and pop two blisters in identical spots on both my feet. Again, I apologize for the TMI, but one can’t talk about training without mentioning a blister or two… It’s quite possibly one of the worst places to get a blister on your foot, right at the beginning of the arch under the big toe. Every time your foot strikes or pushes off you feel it.
The worst part was that I even thought ahead tonight! I put tape on the spot as I’ve had some issues in previous runs, but the tape was utterly useless. After some extensive Googling, I have found what I hope to be some useful solutions. One solution is buying double layer socks. Essentially, it’s one sock inside of the other and it’ll set me back about $10 for a pair. Apparently BandAid has some blister blocking adhesives, but those cost around $8 for four. The socks are looking like a better option… But then I emailed the guy who runs the clinic and he suggested something cheaper, a DIY solution he swears by: Second Skin and duct tape. Just spray the Second Skin on the areas more prone to blisters then cover it with duct tape. Is there anything duct tape can’t do???
March 6th, 2011 at 9:48 am
Not sure if you’re going to get to read this, Carly, but getting blisters on runs all the time is not normal to training. You may have a problem with shoe fit, or you should be using a good pair of non-cotton socks, or you should be building up your mileage more gradually (no more than 10% increase per week). But blisters are not a normal part of training, unless you have ill-fitting shoes, run with cotton socks, or do too much distance when your feet are not ready for it.
Also, there was another post on keeping your feet warm when cycling. You don’t double up your socks… that would cut off the circulation to your foot and make you even colder. Instead, you can get a neoprene boot cover and if it’s colder than that, wear another layer of windproof material on top of the wool cycling socks and neoprene booties (a boot cover made of something like what they make backpacks out of: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442618318&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692723)