Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Holy Blisters Batman

I was told that blisters are a part of the beginnings of barefoot running, but oh man I had no idea. Running with shoes I would get blisters on every run over 4 miles, so I thought no big deal I am use to blisters. Well let me tell you, the blisters I was getting with my shoes just do not compare to the blisters I am getting without shoes.

Yesterday I ran two whole miles barefoot and it felt great. After about a mile I could feel some hot spots on my feet but just ignored them because it felt so great to just be running. After I finally stopped running and got to my car I realized that my feet hurt worse than usual. I checked my feet out and found a huge blood blister starting on the bottom of my right foot. I then came home and after getting cleaned up started to do some more reading on beginning barefoot running. I found that once again I am pushing too hard to fast. Blisters are normal as my feet get use to feeling the ground again, but blood blisters are from pushing too much.

So here I sit with feet that hurt to walk on them much less run, hoping that they heal up quick so that I can get out there and run some more. However I think for a few weeks I will try and run with and without shoes. You see I really want to run and just going out to do a mile or two is not enough, but my poor feet are not ready for more so the only solution is to throw in some miles with shoes on. I am seriously debating whether or not I should continue to run in my heavy stability shoes or if I should bite the bullet and get a pair of VFF’s. If any of you have an opinion on this I would greatly appreciate your advice.


TraceySig

13 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't get them much anymore but I drain blisters and keep the skin trimmed. Go slower. Land with your feet under your center of gravity. Try not to push off.
If you run in shoes you run in shoes. Its only a transition to different shoes. I say keep doing what you are doing and burn that energy off in a different way if you have to. Try running tomorrow or the next day. Only do your 2 miles and pick a focal point like your footfall.
Try thinking of landing softly and a midfoot landing. Use your run to meditate and don't think of going fast or long just breathe and think of your footfall and see how it goes.
As you have experienced sometimes feeling too good can cause problems too. Slow, easy, mellow. You get the idea!

Unknown said...

I forgot to add the I believe, from experience, that you build your distance up first and the speed will follow on its own. Don't worry about going slower.

Anna said...

Ouch Tracey! U really rock for pushing thru. U r one addicted runner. Hope ur feet heal quickly or get nice and caloused! ;-)

AM! said...

Glad Barefoot Angie B commented, as I see her as 'an expert' with this.

Very cool that you're venturing into the barefoot running world. Looking forward to reading how it goes!

tara said...

Dude I am just so impressed. Not sure I am up for this barefoot thing, but dang it sounds great. Good luck and super happy you are back up and running.

KovasP said...

I was going to incorporate some barefoot running this summer, but now I'm worried. :) Blisters are no fun!

Bethany + Ryan said...

i've just started doing some barefoot runs but i don't go far enough yet to get blisters, thanks for bringing this up, and thanks barefoot angieB!

Tracey Kite said...

Thanks so much Angie. I am going to really pay attention to how I am landing and see if that helps. At least the pain in the feet usually goes away within 24 hours :)

Kovas, if you start out slow and walk first the blisters won’t be so bad. I just pushed too hard, and truthfully the next day I don’t even notice the blisters.

Tracey Kite said...

Bethany & Ryan, I totally agree Thank you so much Angie.
If it was not for Angie I would not have ventured into the barefoot world. And even thought I am getting blisters it still beats shin splints and stress fractures :)

Lindsay said...

Oh my gosh that sounds so painful!!! Sound like you have gotten some great advice though!

Sherri said...

I am jealous of your leap into barefoot running. It totally interests me, but not enough to do it yet! Although, I did try to run a mile on the treadmill barefoot, and YES! My feet were covered in blisters! I am excited to hear of your progress!

Janice said...

I am also transitioning to barefoot running. Right now I start out running barefoot, carrying my Vibram Five Fingers. When my feet get too sore, I stop and put on the Vibrams. I think I'm probably trying to do too much too fast in my bare feet. I had a nasty blood blister after a run where I landed hard on a rock where my foot was already sore. I've really only just started healing this week & went too far barefoot again tonight! I would recommend Vibrams. I own a pair of KSOs and Classics. The Classic model is the best. It goes on quick because there are no straps. It stays on comfortably and feels like I'm running in a dance slipper. Good luck with your barefooting:)

Anonymous said...

Genial fill someone in on and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you seeking your information.