Blisters under calluses

[Langley-Loper]

With two weeks to go before my HM, my shoes (Ride14) fell apart so I bought new ones (Ride 15). All good until this week, in fact yesterday, when I developed blisters under my calluses on the outer side of my big toes. I could feel them throbbing in bed last night and they are tender to the touch. With just 10 days until the HM, I guess my options are limited. I won't be piercing them. Any lotions or creams that anyone knows of to speed recovery/ ease the pain? Ibuprofen gel? Compeed blister plasters, or is it too late for them, now the damage is done?

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Ugh! Total sympathy. I get the same thing but at the inner edge of the widest part of my foot. While it is super tender I use compeed plasters to stop shoes and sheets (!) rubbing painfully. Mostly though I leave the skin free to dry/ harden and toughen up again.When I run I put a single layer of Rocktape over the tender spot - it sticks better than anything else. It forms a protective layer, but I still blister. Running with compeed pasters doesn't work for me as they just don't stay in place.

Running a half with blisters is no fun unfortunately. You'll just have to embrace the burn, but you absolutely have my sympathy. Good luck.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

The times I’ve had calluses I use moleskin, wrapped around twice to give extra cushioning and then for races or longer runs I’ve used two Compeed plasters. Unlike linda9389 ’s experience they don’t budge on me. I always take extra in my belt just in case I need to stop mid-race.

Ten days is a decent length of time for your blisters to heal so fingers crossed you could be ok for the day 🤞

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I think it may be because the area I need to cover is so curvy, but I did also read a few articles from long distance runners who said compeed made matters a whole lot worse when actually running so I have steered well clear (besides, rocktape is cheaper 😀)

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

in addition to the excellent advice of linda9389 and Irishprincess , if the blisters have arisen because of new shoes it might be worth going back to the shop and seeing if there is a better shoe for you. Or maybe try different socks.

Personally, I’ve never suffered blisters from running shoes, just fashion wear, but can imagine the pain on an HM.

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Having done some reading, it could be that I am over pronating a little. Maybe the 15th incarnation of Saucony Ride offers less support than the 14s or 13s that I loved.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Langley-Loper]

Why do they keep changing and tweaking shoes? I love Saucony Ride and am on 16’s at the minute. The big difference I feel is how light they are!

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

it sounds like it was a big change between 14 and 15.

fleetfeet.com/blog/shoe-rev....

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

That's the Guide, I've got the Ride. Maybe I should have gone for Guide as that's the support version of Ride. You think you've found a shoe that suits you, then they update it to make it "better". If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Langley-Loper]

Whoops sorry. Yes might be worth trying both in a running shop and see how they compare. I’ve got to wear supportive shoes too.

[misswobble Marathon]

I’ve taped my blisters on my last two runs, and I’m using Epsom salts in the bath They were much better this morning

Ten days should be enough to get them sorted out.

Good luck 🙂👍

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

I used compeed plasters for a quick fix after super advice on here. They worked well for me in that area with same problem. BUT now I'm using .... wait for it .... udder salve for cows to soften the callouses that caused the blisters! Works brilliantly. Bizarrely it was a couple of hikers that recommended this - not something I knew from the farm!!

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

That’s amazing Cowladyrunning , I love it 🤣

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon]

I did parkrun with ibuprofen gel and thicker socks. Certainly no worse. Sadly I have thrown my old holey shoes away so can't use them one last time. Today I will use plenty of vaseline and try and straighten my feet out. I know a week before a HM is not the time to try and adjust your natural running style 😂