The Running Thread - 2016

[surfde22]

QOTD: How do you deal with blisters besides appropriate footwear? What socks do you recommend?

I very rarely get blisters, but if I do it's almost always on the back of my right heel. I always drain the blister to relieve the pressure and then let it dry. Usually I don't have to skip any runs.

 

[roxymama]

ATTQOTD: I only recently started getting a blister in the same spot on both feet. I think it may either be due to the extreme temps lately = sweaty feet...since it is only happening on my afternoon weekend runs lately. Or it could be the toe box is a little big on my new shoes...I've tried to make sure I'm tieing the laces a bit tighter. I had no issue on the treadmill last night but I did 3 miles...the blister tends to start forming at the 4.5 to 5 mile mark lately. I may buy a second pair of shoes (my runner up from last shopping trip) and see how that goes.
My blister is on my upper inner arch area right below the ball of my feet.

 

[opusone]

All my super tri friends keep talking about how to upgrade gear to be more aerodynamic and save a few grams of weight to improve their cycling performance. I'm over here like "hey, I can improve performance by shaving a few kilos of weight from the engine."

Though, that response usually just gets them talking about rotating weight.

 

[dis_or_dat]

A couple of thoughts:

Caffeine has been proven to improve performance in races, and it helps most runners focus during tougher points in a run. You may not want it, but the benefits outweigh the negatives (scientifically speaking). I am sensitive to caffeine, so rarely use it in running, but when I do its benefits are immediately apparent to me.

Keto diets, like any other diet, are not for everyone. For health or lifestyle reasons, we are all different. We all need to find our own balance.

Finally, for some people eliminating carbs and sugars from their diets would risk their health. If you don't want to consume these things, great. No one is asking you to do so. But to suggest that others try this type of extreme diet without consulting their doctor first could be risking their health.

So, we should all remember that we are all an experiment of one. I love the suggestions and ideas, but we all need to keep in mind that what may help us may not help - or, worse, it may harm - another.

Well said! Couldn't agree more.

ATTQOTD: What a timely question! I've discovered that I only get a blister during a half race, which seems to be common because of the speed/sweat/duration. It's only on the ball of one foot and I've been draining it for 2 days! I have balegas and brooks socks but blistered through them. I was thinking about the wrightsocks, but @IamTrike didn't have much luck with them. Maybe taping it?

 

[RunDisneyDad]

ATTQOTD: For the most part I'm lucky when it comes to blisters. I tend to get them on my achilles when breaking in a new pair of shoes. For training I've found Thorlo's work well for me and on race day I like a thinner tighter sock. Last year I ordered some Kinvara Running Shoes online but the company sent me a women's pair (oops). So, to make up for their mistake they sent me some Saucony Kinvara socks which I really liked and ended up using on race day.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

ATTQOTD: I got new running shoes earlier this month and discovered the socks I was wearing with my old running shoes were too low for my new shoes and therefore causing blisters on my heels (and a speck of blood on the inside of my new shoes.... bummer!). I bought a package of socks with little padded blister tab on the back and they work like a dream. No more blisters!

 

[whaler8]

QOTD: How do you deal with blisters besides appropriate footwear? What socks do you recommend?

Like @Ariel484 I run in Balega socks and have never had a blister from running in them. When I have had blisters from other circumstances I will sometimes cover them with moleskin if I need to otherwise I just leave them alone and let them heal on their own.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

QOTD: How do you deal with blisters besides appropriate footwear? What socks do you recommend?

I only seem to blister around the tips of my toes and under my toe nails. This only happens once/year, and always when I am building my base. It seems that my form gets sloppy when I get too tired while building my base, which leads to me braking when running down hills. The braking leads to my toes rubbing in ways that they are not used to rubbing along the front of my socks and the inside of my shoes. The result can be blackened or lost toe nails or simple blisters at the ends of either my big toes or second toes (my longest toes).

Fortunately I have learned what types of shoes and socks help me avoid other hot spots, so no blisters there. And for some reason I just don't seem to blister any more when my feet get soaked - maybe because they are used to it from all of the trail running that I do.

 

[ZellyB]

I get the vibe that bringing this up again may be beating a dead horse here, but I had a question I would like to ask. Excuse my ignorance about the diet regiment (keto??) as I haven't researched it, but I am wondering how do you fuel for your runs that exceed 2 hours in length or 3 hours? My limited understanding in this matter is that the body first use simple carbs as fuel because it is easier to convert and after a while will start burning fat as a fuel source, but isn't as a efficient method to simple carbs. For those reasons, gels were developed to give the runner a quick surge of fuel to get them through the last few miles, and then later they added caffeine to some of their products for an additional boost.

Again, not trying to stir up more than has been done, I am just curious how it all works and what does one do to supplement a "carb loading meal" that is common the night before a half marathon, marathon, or a distance in-between as a training run...

Also not a keto expert, but have experimented with a keto diet as has my husband. There's lots of more in depth detail out there, but in it's simplest form it's a ultra low-carb diet that substitutes a much higher percentage of fat into the diet. When we were following it faithfully, we stayed below 50g of carbs a day and really tried to stay below 30g. We got into it some from a friend who has been eating keto for several years and has run several ultra races. It's most decidedly NOT for everyone and while I found it pretty easy to manage, I did miss carbs. We're no longer being as strict with it, but I did find once I sort of got off the carbs, I still eat far fewer carbs than I used to and found I require less fuel on runs (but I have gone back to more standard running fuel on longer runs). My husband now typically doesn't even bother to fuel for runs up to a marathon. He does drink a lot more and hits electrolytes a lot more than he used to however. Once keto-adapted, the body will more quickly and readily turn to fat as a fuel source and due to the adaptation the body can access that source nearly as readily as it can carbs. Fat also provides tremendously more fuel when burned than glucose does and even very lean runners have ample fat stores to provide fuel for long runs.

In terms of substituting for a carb-loading meal, we don't and frankly just have never really subscribed to the idea of a carb loading meal. We just eat a good meal of whatever sounds good to us the night before a race and it's always worked well for us.

ATTQOTD: I don't have a lot of trouble with blisters, but when I do I'll drain them if necessary and then usually bandage them hoping to get the skin to adhere and harden. I usually wear Feetures socks.

 

[IamTrike]

All my super tri friends keep talking about how to upgrade gear to be more aerodynamic and save a few grams of weight to improve their cycling performance. I'm over here like "hey, I can improve performance by shaving a few kilos of weight from the engine."

When I was shopping for an upgraded mountain bike a while back that was my same thought.

 

[Keels]

QOTD: How do you deal with blisters besides appropriate footwear? What socks do you recommend?

My strategy and blister methodology is mostly pre-emptive rather than reactionary. I have pretty sensitive feet (thanks a lot, surgical scarring), so I've dealt with callousing and blisters on abnormal parts of my foot - just based on how it was reconstructed - for most of my life, so I've got the routine down pretty well.

I try to get a pedicure - even just a basic one - at least every 4-6 weeks, and definitely the week of a race or REALLY long run (16-plus miles or a sim weekend like for Dopey). I also overmoisturize my feet on a daily basis - slathering on lotion before I put on socks or shoes for the day, and in some cases, moisturizing and sleeping in socks. I also use really oily scrub on my feet, so the residual moisturizer helps too. Plus, it makes my feet look nice and feel soft - I wear flip flops almost exclusively and nobody likes to see TrollFoot.

On race day/long runs, I slather in between and around my toes in Vaseline and then put on socks (Balegas or Feetures). I've noticed I swell really bad in California, so for Cali races I'll use wide blister Band-Aids as a pre-emptive measure on places like my left heel.

 

[LSUlakes]

Not running related, but yall are my go to all things Disney related for answers. I may have mentioned earlier that we are making the trip to WDW with a check in date on 11/14 and check out 11/20. I was following my plan from last time in which we stopped in Gainesville on the way to sleep. We did this to save a little $ since that room was much cheaper than WL and it worked out better for the marathon plan. Well, this time we do not have a running even to be focused on and I just assumed that the plan last time was the way to go. However, on this trip we are staying at AoA, and the cost per night is basically the same as a normal hotel room. Once I figured that out, there isn't any rooms showing up at AoA for 11/13. Having said all that, I would like to ask the following:
Should I just keep checking to see if something changes online or should I call to see?
The other idea is POP is just on the other side of AoA, would getting a room their really make it that big of a deal to switch over the following night when we get in from the parks. I guess just a overnight bag for POP to keep loading unloading to a minimum... POP currently has rooms available for the day we need one, so should I just book it now? I think I would be much easier to get one at AoA even though it would be on separate reservation numbers I would think they would allow us to stay in the same room throughout? We used a TA for the bulk of the trip so I don't think I can personally add a night to that existing reservation. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[Keels]

Not running related, but yall are my go to all things Disney related for answers. I may have mentioned earlier that we are making the trip to WDW with a check in date on 11/14 and check out 11/20. I was following my plan from last time in which we stopped in Gainesville on the way to sleep. We did this to save a little $ since that room was much cheaper than WL and it worked out better for the marathon plan. Well, this time we do not have a running even to be focused on and I just assumed that the plan last time was the way to go. However, on this trip we are staying at AoA, and the cost per night is basically the same as a normal hotel room. Once I figured that out, there isn't any rooms showing up at AoA for 11/13. Having said all that, I would like to ask the following:
Should I just keep checking to see if something changes online or should I call to see?
The other idea is POP is just on the other side of AoA, would getting a room their really make it that big of a deal to switch over the following night when we get in from the parks. I guess just a overnight bag for POP to keep loading unloading to a minimum... POP currently has rooms available for the day we need one, so should I just book it now? I think I would be much easier to get one at AoA even though it would be on separate reservation numbers I would think they would allow us to stay in the same room throughout? We used a TA for the bulk of the trip so I don't think I can personally add a night to that existing reservation. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated!

I would give them a call - it's showing that there are rooms available at AoA when I log in (at least for Annual Passholders, but there is inventory). If they can book you a room, just ask them to link the reservations. This will help the room assignment team know that you're there for more than one night. In most cases, they'll let you stay in the same room - just make sure you drop by the front desk at check-in to guarantee that.

 

[Baloo in MI]

QOTD: How do you deal with blisters besides appropriate footwear? What socks do you recommend?
Todays QOTD is another excellent question suggested by a fellow poster.

I rarely ever get blisters. Hopefully I have not jinxed myself! I don't buy any specific brand of socks, but I do look for a sock that breaths and allows for moisture to wick away (does that make sense?). I will also use Glide on my feet, toes, heel and between my toes when I am going to run long distance or expect to get my feet wet. Lastly my shoe fit is really good, I spent a lot of time at my local shoe store working out the right type of shoe. All of this has helped I guess because I remain pretty blister free.

So of course I am sure I will be hobbling around next week with multiple blisters after my planned trail run this weekend. I am going to immediately go knock on wood!

 

[Slogger]

Not running related, but yall are my go to all things Disney related for answers. I may have mentioned earlier that we are making the trip to WDW with a check in date on 11/14 and check out 11/20. I was following my plan from last time in which we stopped in Gainesville on the way to sleep. We did this to save a little $ since that room was much cheaper than WL and it worked out better for the marathon plan. Well, this time we do not have a running even to be focused on and I just assumed that the plan last time was the way to go. However, on this trip we are staying at AoA, and the cost per night is basically the same as a normal hotel room. Once I figured that out, there isn't any rooms showing up at AoA for 11/13. Having said all that, I would like to ask the following:
Should I just keep checking to see if something changes online or should I call to see?
The other idea is POP is just on the other side of AoA, would getting a room their really make it that big of a deal to switch over the following night when we get in from the parks. I guess just a overnight bag for POP to keep loading unloading to a minimum... POP currently has rooms available for the day we need one, so should I just book it now? I think I would be much easier to get one at AoA even though it would be on separate reservation numbers I would think they would allow us to stay in the same room throughout? We used a TA for the bulk of the trip so I don't think I can personally add a night to that existing reservation. Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated!

Think it's worth a phone call to see if any AoA rooms open up. Worst case you could take the POP and be right next door and maybe AoA might still open up before the 13th?!!! (side note...we stayed at AoA last year and my 2 teenagers LOVED it......we stayed in the Cars-themed room. Lots of space!)

 

[JulieODC]

QOTD: I also rarely get blisters. However, a few weeks ago I bought new Superfeet to put in my shoes, and on my first run with then, started to get some blisters going on my arches. I was really bummed because I need arch support, and have used Superfeet in the past without issue. I decided to rest a day or so, and try again -- and luckily, no issues since -- almost like my arch skin just needed to toughen up a little. Meanwhile, my knees are super happy to have the added arch support!

 

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD-about blisters and socks.

I used be a frequent foot blister member but I changed socks and moved up a shoe size and problem has gone away.
I use Wrightsock, but have tried other brands too and no issues.

I do agree with @BuckeyeBama about sloppy form causing issues when you are tired.

Lastly... @Ariel484 and @dis_or_dat......draining blisters?!! That is definitely Ewww. Wonder if someone has done that and posted on YouTube?

 

[keahgirl8]

Personally, the reason I don't provide fuel advice (other than things/brands I like) is because what works for me may not work for everyone else. Just like how you can't understand why people want things like caffeine or glucose in their fueling supplements, people may not understand why you abide by a strict keto diet and don't intake sugar.

I understand where you're coming from, but if I can be honest - in my opinion, you're coming off as judgy of people in what they choose to do. Of the people contributing on this thread, you're one of about a half-dozen that I know follow a keto diet - I'm familiar with the in's and out's of the lifestyle as one of my BFFs follows the same diet, so I am familiar with it and the science behind it. That said, I think your input would have more weight to it if you would describe how it fits in to your diet versus just blanket statements that people shouldn't use certain things.

For example - telling a person that they're eating enough carbs in breakfast pastry, maybe they should have a chicken sandwich or something different for dinner. Some of us understand what you're saying, but those not familiar with fueling or even alternative lifestyles and diets have no idea what you're talking about other than it's different than what they've learned elsewhere about a carb-load.

Agreed. I usually have a disclaimer with any advice I give. "This is what works for me, but you have to find out what works for you through trial and error..." Everything (shoes, fuel, hydration, belts, etc) is so subjective.

A couple of thoughts:

Caffeine has been proven to improve performance in races, and it helps most runners focus during tougher points in a run. You may not want it, but the benefits outweigh the negatives (scientifically speaking). I am sensitive to caffeine, so rarely use it in running, but when I do its benefits are immediately apparent to me.

Keto diets, like any other diet, are not for everyone. For health or lifestyle reasons, we are all different. We all need to find our own balance.

Finally, for some people eliminating carbs and sugars from their diets would risk their health. If you don't want to consume these things, great. No one is asking you to do so. But to suggest that others try this type of extreme diet without consulting their doctor first could be risking their health.

So, we should all remember that we are all an experiment of one. I love the suggestions and ideas, but we all need to keep in mind that what may help us may not help - or, worse, it may harm - another.

This would be me. Bad things would happen if I did that.

Like @Ariel484 I run in Balega socks and have never had a blister from running in them. When I have had blisters from other circumstances I will sometimes cover them with moleskin if I need to otherwise I just leave them alone and let them heal on their own.

Another vote for Balega! I have never had a blister. *knock on wood*

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

ATTQOTD: If I ever get blisters, it's usually when I have worn socks that are past their prime. A new pair of athletic socks always feels great to me, but I will add my support to Baleagas alone with @keahgirl8 and @Ariel484 I have a few pairs that I received as gifts from my in-laws and they seem to be holding up so well! I have been wearing them fairly consistently on runs for over a year now, and they have not stretched out at all.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

QOTD: How do you deal with blisters besides appropriate footwear? What socks do you recommend?

I almost never get blisters, including Ironman which was 9+ hours worth of biking and running in the pouring rain. Every now and then when I do get one count me on the drain train. I'll get a needle and thread and leave the thread in to do the slow drain...works every time. My wife gets blisters and she has used baby powder on her feet as a pretty good preemptive measure...a lot of pro triathletes will also load up their running shoes with baby powder in transition as they run without socks. Can't speak to the results personally, but it seems to work for them.