Blisters, Blisters and now black toe nails!!!
I have been training for 5 weeks now and my best day has been 13 miles in 4 hours. Today , I went to get what use to be decent looking feet are now Hooves! Underneath my polish, two toe nails have turned Black!!!.. Vanity I know , and I was able to cover them up with even more nail polish.. but is this to be expected? all worth the cause.. For every step my mother will not be able to take in the future, I will take for her!!! I love you Teresa Ramirez!!!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Laurie Francis on -
Teresa,
REALLY IMPORTANT!!!!
STOP wearing cotton socks. You need to go to a sporting goods store and buy a couple pair of socks that are made for running. They should have padding on heels and ball of toes, as well as fibers that wick away moisture instead of keeping it next to the skin. The blisters and the "jungle rot" you are experiencing are due to the moisture, and you could end up losing nails, getting infection and not being able to finish the walk!
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Permalink Reply by Rachel B on -
also, make sure your shoes properly fit! they should be 1/2 to a whole size larger than you normally wear! if they are too small, this can cause toe bruising and other issues! when we walk this many miles our feet expand.
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Permalink Reply by Jean Rosa on -
I agree - at least 1/2 size bigger. Also break in two pairs one for each day.
Toe Socks! REI sells them. I wear those and then another pair over them. Keeps the toes from rubbing on each other and more cushion in the front.
Glide! Vasoline ruins your socks and isn't all that slick. Rub Body Glide all over your foot and then the socks above mentioned. At 12 miles, new glide and new socks.
My biggest challenge was blisters deep in my heels. I paid the $$ for good inserts that get moved to each pair I wear and now no blisters any where. This will be my 6th year walking and it's great when the feet feel good.
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Permalink Reply by Karen Rosenzweig on -
Check out a blog post I wrote last year about blisters and black toes... http://amberstang.wordpress.com/2009/08/29/the-agony-of-da-feet/
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Permalink Reply by Beccie Price on -
I, too, have suffered with the black toe nails. I actually lost two toenails, one in December and one in April after the Houston walk. They are growing back but are still in the ugly stage. I think I lost mine due to the nails being too long or my shoes too short. They really bothered me at first, but eventually you just ignore it. I did buy my next shoes 1/2 size larger and have not had the problem since. My seventh grade students have a macabre interest in them!
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Permalink Reply by Beccie Price on
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Another thought - those aqua bandages are absolutely wonderful. When you get a "hot spot," just place one of those over it. My kids' basketball coach let me have more than I can use in the next 3 years, but I think you can buy them at drug stores and sporting goods stores.
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Permalink Reply by Laura Phillips on -
@ Jean Rosa,
What are the inserts that you mentioned? This my first time doing this walk any other suggestions that would be helpful? I would appreciate the suggestions from my seasoned walkers.
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Permalink Reply by Sharon Gries on -
Agree with all on shoe size, Glide and wicking socks; anotehr tip for blisters deep in the heel pad is to start with moleskin on the heel and change it a couple times during the day; it made a big difference last year
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