Blisters

[gingerwtfish]

Yup compeed is the way for me.
It usually takes until my O shoes start falling apart until I stop getting blisters.
So compeed on each heal before the race usually works, although I have finished a race running in my socks cos my heels were bleeding but that was a long time ago.
However once you've got the blisters the only thing i've learnt is to not leave them covered up, even if they do sting, because then they take ages to heal.


On the subject of achilles problems, its what put me of damned V-J's.
i just dont see the point of that ridiculous heel!

apart from to give you nice blisters and kill you achillies

[banney]

Tatty
Are the blisters still full of liquid or have they burst?
If they're still full get a needle and sew through the skin with a piece of darning wool then leave the wool in the skin - this allows the liquid to drain out through the wool (Bloody painful - but it works!)

Best thing for blisters is to coat your feet with pure lanolin then carefully put your sock over your foot without wiping it off. Vaseline gave me blisters but I've raced 100 miles (once) and 100km several times non stop without any problems using lanolin.
The lanolin is not that easy to get hold of, however you can get it direct from producers online
or NK Chemicals Ltd 01924 444849 (ask for Martin Gunson)
you ask for anhydrous lanolin
Hope this helps
Banney

[Tatty]

Thanks for the tip Banney (who are you on real life?)
The blister actually burst as I pulled off about 2 inches of skin from my heel when I took the compeed off after the Relays on Monday!! Since then they have gained scabs around the edges and across the middle. The whole area is very sore all the time despite wearing no socks/shoes etc. Major problem is every time I sit still for more than a few minutes the skin seems to harden up and so when I do move again it is very painful, sometimes enough to stop me getting my heel down on the floor. Have had strange looks at the gym working out in sandals, but at least have still been able to go on the cross trainer and bike. Just want to clear them up. Good job I'm a teacher so not at work this week!!
Any more tips gratefully received.

[helen]

my blisters seem to be almost healed now, just from having the same compeed on it for 3 days. the compeed i used at the jk each day came off and with them took more skin, then i left them open to the air for a day, but as you said, if you sit still for 5 mins they harden up and then you cant move again. try putting compeed on and leaving it on for as long as poss, its much less painful and im pretty sure mine are healing well.

[Guest]

On the subject of achilles problems.
I suffered for years with achilles tendonitis and did find a wonderful solution. The tip came from my dad (an ex national level 800m runner) who got it from the Aston Villa physio many many years ago.
To get rid of the tendonitis (this is where you have developed knobbly bits on the tendon - mine were very nasty) you apply a Kaolin poultice to the tendon. Tubs of Kaolin are still readily available on pharmacies - the Kaolin paste is thick sticky and grey.
You pop the tub in a pan of boiling water on the stove until it is thoroughly heated through. You then spread the paste onto a piece of lint folded two or three times to make a poultice about 5x8cm. Put it paste side down onto your achilles. This is hot and will blister your skin - so let it cool sufficiently so that it doesn't blister but still makes you dance around the room going ow! ow! ow! Then quicky wrap the whole of your ankle in clingfilm and then stuff your foot into a sock.
This should be left on for 18hours. I think the principle is to get the tendon sheath hot and keep it that way, anyway at the end of 18hours it will feel a whole lot better and your knobbly bits will be very much reduced - repeat if necessary. Believe me this works beutifully.

However, that just treats the tendonoitis which can be self perpetuating even if the original trigger has been removed. You have to find out the cause of the tendonitis to prevent a reoccurrence - so yes, cut up those heel tabs, do the stretches, see a podiatrist - best money I ever spent as my muscle imbalances were quickly diagnosed resulting in a quick manipulation and a few exercises.
Also tendon pain (as distinct from an inflamed tendon)can be referred from higher up in the calf so you do need to get it properly diagnosed. My most recent bout of achilles pain turned out to be caused by knots in my soleus (inside calf muscle) caused by a change in my running habits, once these were massaged out (ouch!) and a suitable stretching program followed, my problems went away and have not returned.

[Tatty]

As the compeed came off each day will try, when I'm next brave enough to put on shoes for Oing, to fasten down with micropore tape. It obviously needs to have longer fixings than the size of the largest compeed which won't even cover the blister on one foot!!
Thanks for all the advice guys!

[FatBoy]

Bit late - not been near a computer.

Advice for running with blisters - don't overdo the padding as it will actually hurt more as it effectively makes your shoes smaller. I always get rid of as much loose skin as poss then leukotape direct to the wound, then vasaline over the top. Hurts like hell when you take it off but because you've already removed the loose skin it doesn't do it then.

Advice for after/between running with blisters - use iodine, salt water, surgical spirit or really extreme hydrogen peroxide to dry it out. All of these will sting loads. Leave it to the air as much as possible which will help it dry too.

[Tatty]

Cheers Fat Boy! I'm almost tempted to have a try tomorrow at the Brmy Relays. Might chicken out and wear my old O shoes or terrrain trainers. will assess again in the morning. Still hurt like hell when I've been still for more than 10 minutes.