Running shoe help needed!!!!

[javamoma]

Ok, I am training for my first marathon. I bought new shoes (at a running store) that caused blisters (the size of quarters and 1/2 an inch thick) on the botton inner sid of my heal. I went back to the store and they said my heal was narrow and slipping. We tried many other shoes and none of them worked on my heal. So, we tried new inserts in the shoes I originally bought. No slipping! Yea!

However, I still have these gigantic blisters. Last night my husband said they are going to stay filled with fluid until I drain them because I continue to train 5 days per week. So, we drained them and they felt great this am. I did 6 miles today but by the end they were tender and sure enough they had filled with fluid again. They weren't nearly as bad but there is still fluid.

What do I do? How do I get rid of the blisters while maintaining my training schedule?! Do I keep draining them? I feel like the shoes are working correctly now but my blisters are not going away. I do cover them with mole skin to protect the tender, abused and mutilated flesh!

Please help. Any suggestions are welcome (except to quit training !

 

[SAHDad]

The current advice (which I admittedly do not follow) is not to drain the blisters, but to cut a doughnut-shaped piece of moleskin to go around the blister and provide cushioning. (Me, I still pop 'em - and have a tendency to cut them open and expose the new skin to air as much as possible. I wouldn't advise it though, but it's something I learned years ago in XC.)

You didn't say how far off your marathon is. If it is six months off (or more), then you could cut back to running 3x/week and cross-train (on a bike or elliptical) for a week or so, and it wouldn't set you back any. Heck, some people only run 3x per week during the peak of training. If nothing else, ease back a little on the duration and intensity of your runs, and they should heal fairly quickly.

 

[tylerdavis88]

I agree with the advice- I too tend to pop mine. If they get too bad you will have to take time off of your training schedule so be careful. Maybe buy another pair of shoes and rotate them?

 

[javamoma]

Thanks guys. I kind of thought that was the case (everyone says don't pop them but everyone does).
I am on a tight training schedule for an early april marathon. So, time off is not an option. My husband suggested making a slightly bigger hole so that it will continue to drain.
They must be getting better because I am no longer in excruciating pain
Thanks for the help!