Long distance running: Preventing blisters

[NEwherebutA&M]

I've been reading some good things to do for blisters, both preventing and healing. Just wanted to see if anyone here has any good advice. Has anyone tried friction block lubricants? Supposed to be like adding a second layer to your most prone spots for blisters.

I've always been a sprinter, but have been doing a lot of long distance lately and prepping to run the Tough Mudder (10 miles) in two weeks from now. I don't have a huge blister problem, but they do slightly start to form in a few spots.

[TOR]

If your shoes fit and you lace up right, and have the right socks, you shouldn't be getting blisters.


ps, check out 'other sports' forum for the marathon thread; probably where this one should be

[Beau Vine]

Sounds like either your shoes don't fit right or you're wearing cheap socks.

Get some Thorlos:

[knoxtnhorn]

Not sure if this applies to running or even if it might make it worse, but I stopped getting blisters in soccer as soon as I started wearing two pairs of socks w/ my cleats.

[mgnhorn]

socks are a huge part for me. if i do over 3 mi in anything other than my good running socks - any kind that wicks away the sweat - I start to get blisters on my arches.

[NEwherebutA&M]

My shoes actually fit pretty good, and I haven't had great socks till a month or so ago. I got some Nikes that are designed for running, have good/extra padding and whatnot and definitely seemed to help. I never get bad blisters, just that I can tell that it's starting to get a little raw in a few spots, and just want to make sure I don't get them before I run this race. I've been trying to focus on the way I'm running too and that has seemed to help.

And I've read about wearing two pairs of socks, might try that tomorrow.

[Eric cartman]

the socks mentioned above should help.Be careful with 2 pairs of socks.

Something that I did for every marathon and many of my long runs was to take vasoline jelly and cover my feet completely up to my ankles.Never had a blister and that includes a couple of marathons in the rain.

[HRMaddie]

I've been running for a few years now and I've never had a blister. Shoes and socks, like everyone else said above. I've never used vaseline or body glide on my feet, either, I just think your feet would slide around. Maybe they don't, but I've never tried it.

[Horn Chick]

Your running shoe should be about a half size larger than your regular shoes, so that you have about a half thumb's width between your toe and the end of the shoe. This is because your feet really swell in distance running and your foot needs room. If you go too big though, you'll have blisters from that too.

I would think two pair of socks would cause blisters. Some of my favorite socks are the Asics Kayano socks, which are made specific to your right or left foot. I think that specific fit helps prevent blisters because your sock isn't sliding around on your foot. If you're going to use some sort of blister shield on your foot, body glide or sport shield is better than Vaseline because Vaseline won't let your pores breathe.

[chuychanga]

If I'm not proactive I get terrible blood-filled blisters for anything over 10 miles or so. But if I just follow two simple steps I never get them. Wear thin synthetic socks and rub the Body Glide all over my feet and toes (and in between them). I just ran 23 miles last Friday and didn't have a single hot spot.

Yes, your feet squish around a little bit but since they are lubed up they still don't blister. You get used to it. I've been using Body Glide for years to prevent chafing, but the first time I rubbed it on my feet was simply to help slide my wet bare feet into my cycling shoes for a triathlon. It's great for that but the added benefit was that I got no blisters for the first time in a race. Since then I use it for anything over 10 miles. No blisters ever.

Beau Vine, you have run a couple of Bostons and I have not, so I respect your running advice, but those look like hiking socks. Thorlos are thick and tall and hot. I know they are synthetic and wick away moisture but I prefer a thin lightweight synthetic ankle sock. Maybe they make a thin running sock too and I just haven't seen it. I regularly run De Feet, Under Armor, Nike, or Asics fitted socks. In my case, none of them are any better than each other, but all are infinitely better than anything with a single thread of cotton in it. No cotton at all (NCAA!).

[bentleybrau]

I've been running for a few years now and I've never had a blister. Shoes and socks, like everyone else said above. I've never used vaseline or body glide on my feet, either, I just think your feet would slide around. Maybe they don't, but I've never tried it.

Me, too. I wear some non-high dollar Under Armour synthetic socks and lace my shoes up so that my feet don't slide around. I've never run more than a half marathon though.

[Beau Vine]

http://www.thorlo.com/running-socks.php

[chuychanga]

I assumed you knew what you were talking about, but I was too lazy to look around. Thanks for the link, I'll try a pair next time I see them.

[utexas_61]

You entire shoe, inside and out, will be caked with mud.


That should prevent blisters.

I am more concerned about nipple chafing.

[MilkmanDan]

Academy has the Thorlos. They've worked very well for me, although I'm just starting to get over 6 miles with any regularity.

[MyQuick=FrenchToast]

Boston always wears his socks inside out. He says it prevents the seams giving him blisters. It works for him so it's worth a shot.

I'm a sprinter also. I get bored with anything long distance.

[MyQuick=FrenchToast]

You entire shoe, inside and out, will be caked with mud.


That should prevent blisters.

I am more concerned about nipple chafing.

Get the glide stuff.

[MilkmanDan]

I am more concerned about nipple chafing.

Use some mascara to fluff up your chest hair.

[Beau Vine]

Get the glide stuff.

That's what she said!

[utexas_61]

Will 4 loko pre-race help?

[Lazarus Bocanegra]

FTW

[pmg]

Blisters are mainly caused by heat and wetness.
If you're going to wear two pair of socks, I would make sure the inner is a poly or syn liner. If you already know where your potential trouble spots are, your hot spots, cover them preemptively with moleskin or tape.
I used to wear two pair but just wear cheap cotton socks now from Academy.

[Nero]

or you can go oldschool and make sure your trouble spots are good and calloused before a big race.

I'm a huge fan of moleskin, but as others have said it's the proper shoes and socks that are most important.

[Victorious1]

My wife used to get blisters all the time when running and she wore Nike running shoes, she just thought she had bad feet. About three years ago she went to a running store and had her stride analyzed and they put her into Brooks running shoes and she hasn't had blisters since. Not saying it will work for you but if you get blisters regularly you should probably have a running expert look at what you're wearing.

[NEwherebutA&M]

The bad part is our feet will be wet pretty fast (not by sweat, fully under water).