I HATE FEET
Thanks again for filling in yesterday's survey If you didn't get around to it and can spare a few mins, here are those 4 questions again. 1. What was the last running related thing that you bought? 2. If time and money were no object for your next race, what would you buy to help you prepare? 3. What DON'T you like about training for an event? 4. Think back to the best training run that you have had. In 3 words, can you describe how you felt during/after it? Your answers will really help me with these articles in terms of making sure I continue to put out useful hints and tips I HATE FEET which is quite ironic really, considering how much time I have to spend with them, on them, looking at them, touching them..... yuk. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's because they look like out of place hands on the end of my legs?!! Whatever it is, I try and spend as little time as possible looking AT my own. However, that's not to say I don't look after em and this was a question posed recently: Q: "Mike, how should I look after my feet?" A: As runners, we've GOT to! In terms of looking after them, I'm talking about:
keeping toenails cut short, as long talons are never a good look nor sock friendly when we're out pounding the miles out
looking out for blisters and nursing them as best as possible in terms of keeping them clean and letting them naturally heal rather than popping them (sorry if you're eating breakfast whilst reading this!) which is a last resort
giving em a regular warm soak and then slapping on foot moisturiser (cucumbers on the eyes are optional) at night to keep the skin soft and supple. the constant contact can quickly dry them out on the points of contact with the floor which can lead to painful cracking of heels etc
making sure their completely dry after showering, as you don't want moisture building up between your toes which are conditions conducive to itchy athletes foot
rolling them on tennis balls to knead out any aches and pains
using stretchy bands and balance exercises to strengthen the ankle joint
So even if you hate em too, you gotta keep em in check so give any of the above a try! If you've got any other ways you look after your feet, let me know so we can share it to all the readers.
Have a fab saturday and looking forward to joining everyone at the Great North Run tomorrow! Wish us luck! Mike p.s. keep your questions coming!