Okay, so in order to get in better shape I've started running a lot recently. But whenever I run over 3 miles I get a blister on the bottom of my foot, on the inside of the arch. This only happens on my right foot. I recently got some new running shoes, but it doesn't seem to be solving the problem.

Any suggestions? I haven't done anything about it yet, but am thinking about maybe wrapping my foot a bit with an ACE bandage to make it tighter down there. I mean, make no mistake, my shoes are already tight, so I don't understand where this rubbing is coming from.

Help would be appreciated!

2/21/2006 11:11:37 PM

better socks. go get some coolmax/ultramax socks.

They have COMPLETELY eliminated blistering on my feet. Never run in cotton socks.

2/21/2006 11:14:12 PM

when playing baseball i had a similar problem

they got me to wear 2 pairs of socks, one tight one close to the skin, and a slightly less tight pair over them

it worked

2/21/2006 11:16:39 PM

since ive started running 20 miles/week my shin splints are so bad that when i walk to class in the morning it feels like a tiny dagger stabs me 30 different places every step i take. no sympathy from me.

id take a blister any day.

[Edited on February 21, 2006 at 11:18 PM. Reason : -]

2/21/2006 11:17:41 PM

Quote :

"I recently got some new running shoes, but it doesn't seem to be solving the problem. "

New shoes doesn't always mean its not the shoes. Make sure you are fitting them right. I had to go through several pairs before I found the ones for me. There are some running stores (like "The Runner's High" down here) that will suit you up with the perfect shoe.

Also, thick cotton socks hate feet. Make sure you are using good socks.

[Edited on February 21, 2006 at 11:21 PM. Reason : .]

2/21/2006 11:20:55 PM

^^you are probably running on your heels or out of proper stride then.

2/21/2006 11:24:43 PM

that plus a lot of other stuff

2/21/2006 11:25:37 PM

I'll try out some different socks. I am currently using cotton, so maybe thats it.

2/21/2006 11:28:35 PM

Speaking of runners, I saw a runner take out a bicyclist today. It was awesome.

The bicyclists where I live are assholes, never look for pedestrians, blow through red lights.

Guy running was wearing headphones, proceeds to cross at the intersection when given the signal to cross. Bicyclist wearing his homo-tights and no helmet comes out of nowhere and the guy running speeds up before the signal to cross expires.

So the guy running fast nails the biker Terry Tate-style... It was a spectacular sight.

/bad story

2/21/2006 11:37:41 PM

^6x You're that one-upper guy from the beer commercials aren't you?

[Edited on February 21, 2006 at 11:38 PM. Reason : YOU!]

2/21/2006 11:38:21 PM

More like Debbie Downer.

2/21/2006 11:41:10 PM

Quote :

"since ive started running 20 miles/week my shin splints are so bad that when i walk to class in the morning it feels like a tiny dagger stabs me 30 different places every step i take. no sympathy from me."

I've had this problem too. But I was told that it isn't shin splints from my old volleyball coach. He said that he thinks I have pulled my Skleris(sp?) muscle that runs parallel to your shins. Mine hurts to walk to class too, or walk anywhere besides upstairs. Not worth the cost of an x-ray though, so I'm just trying to rest them as much as I can-thats what the coach said to do. But I really wanna go run!

2/21/2006 11:48:06 PM

Shin splits is a vague term used to describe general pain.

It doesn't tell us anything. It could be anterior, posterior, medial or lateral. Even then, you can get even more specific.

TKE-Teg, do not run in cotton. Yes, it just might be the fabric of our lives and breathable, but there is a reason why all socks designed for endurance athletics are not made from cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture and heat, and does not wick it away quickly enough.

Socks that are designed to prevent blisters are expensive but they're worth it. Which brand? To be honest, they're all the same really.

The blister location sounds like the arch of the medial post might be too high, and when you pronate it may cause a problem. I can't tell without actually examining it in person. It's just a guess.

Quote :

"I mean, make no mistake, my shoes are already tight, so I don't understand where this rubbing is coming from."

Your shoes aren't supposed to be too tight. Some slight movement actually prevents blisters. Just have a nice fit, don't cut off circulation.

If the socks don't help, try BODYGLIDE - http://www.bodyglide.com/

If that doesn't work, get new shoes, and make sure the arch isn't too high.

2/22/2006 12:28:41 AM

how do you find out if its anterior, posterior, medial or lateral

2/22/2006 12:51:31 AM

I started running about 9 years ago. I just had shin splints one time last year. It was just on one. I think it was because of the running surface...part of it was gravel, part rd(ran around my old middle school) I kinda felt it when it first started bothering me, i think landed wrong in the gravel. It took like 2 months to get rid of it, hurt like hell when i first started running, then it kinda went away when i was running...then i stopped, and barily could walk. Took calcium pills etc, and started running on a solid surface...slowly went away.

2/22/2006 2:04:58 AM

I don't think nearly as many people suffer from shin splints as they do underdeveloped tibialis anterior muscles. You start running and speedwalking all of a sudden and you get a pain in your shin-- after you've built it up it'll go away. Give it 2 or 3 months. If your shins are actually splintering you're running the wrong way.

2/22/2006 7:07:31 AM

^^^^thanks for the advice.

So do you want me to take a pic of my foot? lol, that would probably tell ya where it is

2/22/2006 1:27:28 PM

Duct Tape. seriously.

2/22/2006 1:29:12 PM

haha i had to use duct tape for the last two days of a hike due to blisters from the first. worked fine. hurt like hell pulling it off tho.

2/22/2006 1:33:18 PM

Well, I'm going straight from work to the gym today, so that blister just might pop

But I'll be sure to grab some socks soon. I dunno if I have any duct tape laying around the apt.

2/22/2006 1:47:52 PM

Quote :

"since ive started running 20 miles/week my shin splints are so bad that when i walk to class in the morning it feels like a tiny dagger stabs me 30 different places every step i take. no sympathy from me. id take a blister any day. "

He's not asking for sympathy, he's asking for suggestions to help with a problem so he can keep running.
Good for you running 20 miles a week. No sympathy here, either.

2/22/2006 2:58:13 PM

if you feel sure the shoes are a good fit try using athletic tape. I think adding socks is a bad idea - and will just end up with more rubbing. One pair of thick socks and athletic tape and you should be good to go.

2/22/2006 3:00:26 PM

i cant really help in this thread other than to pad, cause i use to run 6 miles a day(2 different 3 mile runs) and my shins were fine, and i wore cotton socks, and i had an 80 dollar pair of nikes

never got any blisters either

2/22/2006 3:07:53 PM

have you tried moleskin? I don't know if it works for running, but for hiking I stick moleskin on my blister-prone areas before going out and it always helps.

you could also wait until the blister turns into a callus, but that might take a while

2/22/2006 3:19:01 PM

Quote :

"haha i had to use duct tape for the last two days of a hike due to blisters from the first. worked fine. hurt like hell pulling it off tho."

heh, yeah that's where i got the idea... hiking...

same with ^ and her moleskin.

2/22/2006 3:43:24 PM

Quote :

"you could also wait until the blister turns into a callus, but that might take a while "

Haha, thats what I've been thinking of hoping to happen

Well, if I don't get some of those socks.

2/23/2006 12:02:45 AM

try lacing your shoes differently. particularly, add a ladder in the set of eyelets above the rubbing. it will tighten it up in that spot independently of the rest of the shoe. here's a good website on different ways to lace. http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/lacingmethods.htm

2/23/2006 12:09:11 AM

yo try to run on water like jesus

2/23/2006 3:45:11 AM

antipersirant on your feet. eliminates blistering on a majority of people who don't run 50 miles per day.

2/24/2006 2:41:46 PM