questions on pedicures shoes timing and blisters

[treehugnmama]

have you guessed i am new to this

1) Is a pedicure a bad Idea this close to the princess half??

2) I will need new shoes anytime now but how close to the race should I get them? I was thinking 4 weeks before.

3) My feet hurt!!! I walked my 7 miles today (mfm) and my feet feel like they are either going to be blistered or anymore steps and they will be.

So what do I do next week for my 8 mile? How do you avoid blisters?

My 7 miles today was the farthest I have ever walked I am 90 pounds over weight my times were:
mile:
1 16:20
2) 16:32
3) 16:33
4) 16:37
5) 16:30
6) 16:47
7) 17:37 ( I was so done if I had`t had to keep going to get home I wouldn`t have)

So will my times get faster and do I still have enough time left in training for that to hapen

thanks in advance for the help.....I did buy a garmin on the reccomendations of some kind folks on here and that is what I timing with

 

[Kira G.]

I can help with your blister question!

Buy some Vaseline or body glide (I always just use Vaseline) and spread it all over your feet and toes before you put your socks on. Make sure to get between your toes! Then after you put your socks on put a little more on the outside of your socks for good measure - concentrate on the places that were giving you problems. You may still get some blisters (I get them with runs longer than 14 or 15 miles), but it will be much less of a issue. Actually I still have a few blisters left over from last weekend's marathon, but they aren't hurting at all.

4 weeks before the race is good timing for new shoes.

I am interested in how people respond to your pedicure question! I really want to get one myself, but I am concerned about them being too rough on my feet, which have become nicely calloused in all the right places!

Hope this helps!

 

[TEK224]

I'll 2nd Kira's suggestion of vaseline/body glide. I've gotten blisters for the three years I've done the WDW 1/2 & full. This year was the first year I got no blisters - 0, zilch none!
I did 13 miles on Sat. and 18 on Sun. and not one blister. I put the vaseline on and then my socks. This was the first time I wore Wrightsocks and I am now hooked. (note: I know I shouldn't try anything new on race day, but these socks worked out great!). They were the double-layer socks. I've tried numerous other supposed "blister free" socks, but these were the first that worked. It could also be that the "slightly" colder temperatures played a part, but I'm gonna stick with these socks and see how they work in warmer temps.

Terri

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I read several months back that if you strengthen your quads you can improve your speed. I started using equipment at the gym to target my quads. Sure enough, I got faster!

If you don't have access to a gym, there are exercises you can do w/o any special equipment. Lean against a wall and slide down until you are in a "sitting" position--but w/o a chair. Your feet should be about shoulder width apart. Hold this position for 30 seconds to start. Do the exercise 2-3 times. Try to increase the amount of time you hold the position.

 

[Goofed98]

Another thing you can try for blisters is just turning your socks inside out. Putting the smoother side against your skin can help out immensely.

 

[tippy77]

Last year I got a pedicure 10 days before the half marathon and I was fine. I told the nail tech that I was a runner and not to go too crazy filing my feet. I didn't have any problems at all!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Make sure to clip your toenails about a week or so before the race. Personally, I would save the pedicure as a treat after the race. But that's just me being paranoid about infections and other things.

Body Glide and the right pair of socks will help to prevent blisters. I like SmartWool and Asics socks (not together). But also make sure you're fitted for the right type and size of shoe - you can get this done at your local running store.

Good luck on the Princess!

 

[cewait]

I read several months back that if you strengthen your quads you can improve your speed. I started using equipment at the gym to target my quads. Sure enough, I got faster!

If you don't have access to a gym, there are exercises you can do w/o any special equipment. Lean against a wall and slide down until you are in a "sitting" position--but w/o a chair. Your feet should be about shoulder width apart. Hold this position for 30 seconds to start. Do the exercise 2-3 times. Try to increase the amount of time you hold the position.

Actually a well balanced leg will give you more speed. Try squats, lunges, stepups, calf lifts. Focussing on quads only will lead to over use injuries such as runner's knee.

 

[treehugnmama]

thanks for all the info so far it has been so very helpful. I think I will hold of on the pedicure.

The runners store I go to usually needs to order my shoes so I will go in and order them and pick up some new socks. I have used the two layer wright socks but I was told they were for cold weather so I didn't think they would be apropriate for Orlando.

so wall sits are ok as long as I pair them with lunches then? Excuse my ignorance but what are stepups? I do not have a gym membership so I am trying to do things at home.

 

[mla1977]

I got a pedicure the Tuesday before the half last week. I only let her do basic filing with a pumice stone, none of the extra stuff and I was fine.

 

[swim-mom]

thanks for all the info so far it has been so very helpful. I think I will hold of on the pedicure.

The runners store I go to usually needs to order my shoes so I will go in and order them and pick up some new socks. I have used the two layer wright socks but I was told they were for cold weather so I didn't think they would be apropriate for Orlando.

so wall sits are ok as long as I pair them with lunches then? Excuse my ignorance but what are stepups? I do not have a gym membership so I am trying to do things at home.

I just got a pedicure today, and my feet look amazing and my sore shins thanked me and I plan on getting another one before the princess too - as I want nice pretty feet so when I tear off my sneakers after the princess people wont be scared of how they look!!

Keep in mind you can always tell the person doing your pedi, to either do something or not do something! I always ask for an extra 5 min rub to my shins

 

[dsnyfan21]

I pedicure 4 weeks before Princess should be fine.
I also recommend cutting your toenails about a week to 5 days before. Keeping them as short as possible!
Yes, please go ahead and get your new shoes, you need time to make sure that they are not going to cause any issues.
I too tried the double layer socks, but I ended up with more blisters than ever, so maybe that is true that they are cold weather socks?? have no idea, but I live in South FL so my feet do sweat. I use BodyGLide all over my feet, why this and not vaseline, well the vaseline kinda gets all stuck in your socks and sometimes the regualr washing won't get it all out. It does tend to ruin your socks after awhile.
Yep, doing some home exercises to cross train on the days you are not walking/running would help to strengthen you legs and hel you to gain speed. I agee with Charles on this. Look up the exercises he was talking about on the internet, maybe even youtube.
Good luck and please come by the monthly team thread and let us know how you are doing!
-Tracy

 

[escape]

Blister Queen here....

I tend to get more blisters and "hot spots" when it's hot and muggy out vs. the cooler weather although I still get them at every event I do (or longer runs than 10 miles). I've tried almost everything and combinations of everything. The one thing I haven't done is try turning my socks inside out. Someone else suggested this to me the other day and I will try it.

A note about pedicures...

I usually get a pedicure about two weeks out if I know I want to wear sandals at some point during an event weekend....but I use caution. As you build up miles by walking and/or running, your feet will build up calluses. The thickened, callused skin serves as blister protection for your feet. If the calluses are removed, you'll be more at risk for blisters. On the other hand, excessive, rough calluses can cause blistering as well. So, what do you do? Instead of removing your calluses, and as others have said, ask the pedicurist to lightly smoothen/buff the calluses to get rid of some of the excess, rough skin (if any). Always use caution. Maybe have the pedicurist spend some extra time massaging your feet and calves. That always feels nice.

To help prevent "hot spots" (not quite a blister but feels a little raw) and blisters: As others have said - blody glide, vaseline, mole-skin, duct tape, etc. If you have a blister/hot spot already, I like using Spenco 2nd Skin dressing as a treatment to help prevent further blistering.

You just have to experiment with what works best for you. And, it can be an ongoing process....I'm proof positive.

 

[Ronda93]

Another vote for Wrightsocks. I found them years ago when looking for socks to prevent blisters when touring Disney parks. When I started running they were a natural choice. They double layered, but thin. I wear them year round. I have the quarter sock and plan to get some of the crew style to wear with tights.

I get a pedicure about once a month. I caution them not to tak off too much and never let them come at me with that razor thing My last one before the half was one week out. You'll need to trim them anyway, wait and be bossy.

To run fast you have to train fast. Do some intervals where you really speed up and push yourself.

Good luck,
Ronda

 

[fashionista311]

i'm glad i'm not the only one worried about getting a pedicure right before the princess i always neglect my toes in the winter, but i'm sure im going to want to bust out the open-toed shoes and spend some time at the pool in the florida sunshine...but they definitely need pre-trip tlc! i think the scrubbing/filing should be ok as long as they don't go overboard...i just hope the polish doesn't get too smudged up during the race

 

[mjrosso]

[
3) My feet hurt!!! I walked my 7 miles today (mfm) and my feet feel like they are either going to be blistered or anymore steps and they will be.

I got some blisters during a 9 mile run and decided to try new socks before investing in new shoes (like you, I should be needing new ones about a month before the half, I'm hoping that this is good timing... seems it would give enough time to break them in but still have them relatively fresh?). Didn't get any blisters during the 9, 10, or 10 miles I did since then, or any of the shorter stuff in between. So new socks may be a help! I got some microfiber gold toe ones from target (they come 3 to a pack for about $6) on a recommendation from a friend who also runs and they seem to work pretty well for me.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Actually a well balanced leg will give you more speed. Try squats, lunges, stepups, calf lifts. Focussing on quads only will lead to over use injuries such as runner's knee.

Good point. I have been doing several of those in my training sessions as well.

 

[wtpclc]

Pedicures - I often do thes a 2 weeks (or even a few days) before a race. however, I always tell them not to take off too much callous. over 6 weeks out should be fine, just don't let them go wild. I'll let them scrape a bit but that's all.

 

[treehugnmama]

I think I m going to book one for this weekend....I am in bad need of one.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Actually a well balanced leg will give you more speed. Try squats, lunges, stepups, calf lifts. Focussing on quads only will lead to over use injuries such as runner's knee.

Ditto for sure. Also what was mentioned about speeding up one of your training days (Look up Tempo run).

Pedicure, I've enjoyed one on the day of the event. Heavenly. Otherwise, I trim the week befor and then go to the nail place and have them apply polish. They will brush up on my trim and I'm out quickly. They always do such a good job.