Question about taping... (Read 1045 times)

Mississippi (did I spell right?): When you do distance running, some blisters are inevitable. But if your shoes fit your feet correctly, you shouldn't have them too frequently. Think about prevention instead of dealing with them. Note where you get blisters; do you have "hot spots" when you get shoes? Do you choose your shoes based on brand, price, looks...??? Or actual fit, the model that worked well before (knock on wood, they still have that model!)...??? Look for a pattern where you get blisters (you mention "callus"; so do you get blisters on pretty much the same spot all the time?); dig into why you're getting those blisters on the same spot. Taping could work--I've noticed many people talk about duct tape. I've used regular old Band Aid IF I have pre-existing blister(s)... I'm quite picky with shoes and I guess I don't get blisters (or black toe nails) as often.

Michelle, I dealt with blisters and callouses for years until I finally found the right shoes. The last time I got a blister was when I ran the Rock n Roll marathon last year.

Mississippi: Finding the right shoes is very very important. Once you get them, seach some internet shop or mail-order shop where you can get a good discount (or find a local store who could possibly give you discount for purchasing several pairs) and get a half a dozen pairs (I used to do that as well). Wherever you may be gettin blisters/callous, I'm assuming it's on the base of your big toe???, you don't want any extra reinforcement or anything because that will most likely add extra bulk to it. If any of those reinforcement is wrinkling up, cut it up and saw it up again. I can even show you some images how to do it. The shoe should NOT have any pressure point; not just when you put them on; but when you go through "running action", meaning, flexing of your toes, etc. Even when you flex your foot (pointing your toes) because this is when the so-called Achilles tab would dig into your Achilles tendon. I know you're not having an Achilles problem (or are you?); but I'm just making a point. In regards to the issue of your right foot and left foot; you may want to consider cutting off a piece off from where you're getting a problem. You don't want to get shoes that's too big, trying to get a wider toe box. Bunions grow (?) if your shoes, for running or for non-running, are too pointy and squeeze your toes at the tip. You DO need some room on your toe box. I had a bunion problem once when the shoes that were provided to us (for a corporate team) had too pointy a toe box. As soon as I changed the shoe to wider toe boxed shoes, the problem went away. You can also practice spreading your toes (there's a simple spongy device at drug store) you can wear at night or when you're walking around at home. You can also try socks with sperate toes (Injinji, I believe, is the one in the US)--quite popular in Japan. Walking around barefoot also helps. For the actual blister problem, there is a product called Engo (from local MN company) that you can actually place inside the shoe to eliminate rubbing. This is a low friction adhisive patch. If you want, I can send you some samples--I don't work for them; I never gotten paid by them but I do believe this helps and I have helped them distribute this product at some ultra races in the past. If my e-mail address is not available (I'm not quite sure if I've done it right and if my e-mail address is available on the forum here...), it's nobby415@msn.com. Feel free to drop me your mailing address; I'll send you a few samples and see if it works. Like I said, you place this inside the shoe and it stays there--so you don't have to replace it every time you run (taping your foot instead).

Had a quick peak in your log and saw that you're currently running on two different shoes - the Asics Gel Nimbus 9 and the New Balance 1061. I noticed that the NBs are 1/2 size larger than the Asics. Could it be that the Asics are a bit tight? Would going up a 1/2 size make a difference? The Asics are notorious for fitting a bit small, in fact, many people have recommended buying 1/2 larger because of the narrow fit. By the way, how do you like Nimbus 9's? I am still running on the 8's. www.efootwear.com was clearing them out for $79.99, so I picked up a few pair.

Finding the right shoes is very very important. I know you're not having an Achilles problem (or are you?)... For the actual blister problem, there is a product called Engo (from local MN company) that you can actually place inside the shoe to eliminate rubbing. This is a low friction adhisive patch. If you want, I can send you some samples--I don't work for them; I never gotten paid by them but I do believe this helps and I have helped them distribute this product at some ultra races in the past. If my e-mail address is not available (I'm not quite sure if I've done it right and if my e-mail address is available on the forum here...), it's nobby415@msn.com. Feel free to drop me your mailing address; I'll send you a few samples and see if it works. Like I said, you place this inside the shoe and it stays there--so you don't have to replace it every time you run (taping your foot instead).

Thanks Nobby. I think that I've now determined that I still need to continue my search for the perfect shoe. I am not having Achilles problems at all - and hope to never have them. The blisters I don't worry about too much now that I've gotten into the habit of buying a shoe with the bigger toe box. Thanks for the offer though! Of course now that I've said this I'll be getting blisters all the time and then I'll come looking for your e-mail address to get some of those samples!!!

Had a quick peak in your log and saw that you're currently running on two different shoes - the Asics Gel Nimbus 9 and the New Balance 1061. I noticed that the NBs are 1/2 size larger than the Asics. Could it be that the Asics are a bit tight? Would going up a 1/2 size make a difference? The Asics are notorious for fitting a bit small, in fact, many people have recommended buying 1/2 larger because of the narrow fit. By the way, how do you like Nimbus 9's? I am still running on the 8's. www.efootwear.com was clearing them out for $79.99, so I picked up a few pair.

I too am running the Nimbus 8's and have wondered about the 9's...also, I'm a 1/2 size bigger in Asics than in most other shoes.