Blister help

[Raenstoirm]

Grr. My skin is so friggin sensitive! I ran/jogged/walked 7 miles on wednesday. It was hot, so I did it on the treadmill (so no extra foot swelling or sweating). My shoes are 3 or 4 weeks old (adidas boost) and I had on my normal running socks (thor-lo). This combo has not caused an issue till that run. About mile 4, I started to feel the pain of a blister on the side of the foot on the bone below the big toe (where a bunion would be, but i dont have bunions). A little while later, I felt the same pain in the exact same spot on the other foot! Each time I landed I got a sharp blister pain in both feet, so the last 2 miles I mostly walked or ran with really bad form and hit full foot or even heel first (that wasnt as painful and I wanted to get my full 7 miles in). I got home and lo and behold I have two huge blisters on each bone and disturbingly the toenail on my middle toe is all black and might fall off (it never hurt during the run. Not at all). I havent run for two days. I wanted to run 8 miles today, but I cant wear anything more than flip-flops right now and the act of walking has become painful.

A) Any idea what happened, except that my skin is a PITA?
B) How do I prevent this? I plan on slathering on blister block from now on, but I have a 1/2 marathon in 6 weeks and I am having visions of having to quit halfway because of blisters!

Oh and I guess should mention that I had horrible blisters in my last pair of running shoes and actually had to throw them out, but that was the standard heel blisters, not these funky ones.

 

[cewait]

So many things to consider...

I wonder if your shoe box area was laced tight enough. The sliding and banging of a loose toe box could explain the issue. Also, look at that point in both shoes for a seam or other issue inside the shoe. It can take a few miles for a high spot in a shoe to finally become an issue.

Likewise, if I remember correctly, Thorlos (at least certain models) have a toe seam that ends in that area. You may want to consider a different sock. Possibly to a sock that is a little more moisture wicking.

Runner's lube should work, try it and see what happens. Moleskin, Duct tape and toe caps are also alternatives for addressing areas that constantly blister.


Good Luck



As a note on heal blisters.. there is a laciing technique that stops the loose heal issue creating most heal side blisters. It can really lock down the heal without making the rest of the shoe overly tight.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Good Luck



As a note on heal blisters.. there is a laciing technique that stops the loose heal issue creating most heal side blisters. It can really lock down the heal without making the rest of the shoe overly tight.

I will check for the seams in the socks and shoes. Thanks for the heads up on that. There is a sort of plasticy pattern near my toe that might have easily rubbed and actually looking at the shoe that design might have rubbed the sides of the feet too. Hmm.

What does one do about that?

Oh and I do use the "heel lock" lacing technique. My skin is so friggin sensitive, I use every trick I can find! The other shoes just didnt fit right, so I tossed them. These were feeling good.......

 

[cewait]

I can see a second layer of material in this and other photos.

Try other methods of prevention to see if they help. With a few miles, the roughness (if any) in the area should work itself out as the shoe continues to be broken in.

On other thought... pedicures can be a little counter productive for runner's feet (if you get them). The calluses produced through running help prevent blisters in the long run.

Keep working through it and you will find a solution soon.

 

[mousekeKATE]

I had the same problem. I have very sensitive skin and was getting blisters in the spot you describe around mile 5 of every run. I tried everything! I tried thinner socks, padded socks, taped my feet, re-laced my shoes, ugh! I was getting blisters on top of blisters and lost a toenail to bruising. Then I went to a different (much better!) running store. After a gait analysis I found out I was in the wrong type of shoes and a seam along the side of my foot was only exaggerating the problem. They fit me for a new pair of shoes and my feet has been blissfully pain-free ever since! Hope you figure out a solution, I know how painful those runs are!

 

[DisFam95]

Are you getting properly fitted or just buying what looks good off the shelf? I only go to a runners store and I never pick off the shelf. I tell them my issues, they watch me walk and they pick the shoes that will best fit me based on their knowledge.

I would always get blisters every week then have to cut back for a week to heal then work out again and repeat. I finally got properly fitted, used BodyGlide every single time and do the lacing technique.

I actually went to a thinner running sock which made no sense to me. I used to wear the giant thick Thorlos's too (which the store sold) but they suggested some others.

Good luck - I feel your pain!

 

[Raenstoirm]

Are you getting properly fitted or just buying what looks good off the shelf? I only go to a runners store and I never pick off the shelf. I tell them my issues, they watch me walk and they pick the shoes that will best fit me based on their knowledge.

Nope, professionally fitted at Fleet Feet. I had to run up and down the sidewalk in front of the store 100 times as they adjusted the shoe selection. Didnt seem to matter.... I did a 5k race today, same issue occurred. (I have not run at all in 1.5 weeks to let the blisters heal, so these are new blisters). Although they arent bad this time, I can see the redness that would have become a bad blister if the race was anything more than a 5k. I am less than 5 weeks from my half. I guess I am off to the running store again tomorrow to try and fix the issue again.

 

[bumbershoot]

As of my next run I'm going to start using Body Glide on my toes. The way I run causes my toenails to dig into the sides of the toes of my left foot (no matter how short the nails are), and I don't need blisters on top of that!

 

[cewait]

As of my next run I'm going to start using Body Glide on my toes. The way I run causes my toenails to dig into the sides of the toes of my left foot (no matter how short the nails are), and I don't need blisters on top of that!

Look up Injini socks. They help many with toe on toe blistering

 

[bumbershoot]

Look up Injini socks. They help many with toe on toe blistering

I will, thanks!

 

[RangerPooh]

As of my next run I'm going to start using Body Glide on my toes. The way I run causes my toenails to dig into the sides of the toes of my left foot (no matter how short the nails are), and I don't need blisters on top of that!

What's Body Glide? Is it like an anti-chaffing lotion?