<p>Actually, if anyone is a racewalker that would be great but I didn’t think I would get any responses.</p>
<p>I was in a situation recently where I wore my racing flats, then my flip flops, for a long time. The bottom of my foot feels bruised - any advice on what to do? Can I continue training on more substantial running shoes, should I stay off it for awhile? Does Advil help? I have an important race in about 6 weeks and I don’t want to stop training - any advice from seasoned runners would help. Thx!</p>
<p>All of the above. You probably do have some minor bruising. I would wear very cushioned trainers for a week or so and take Advil- 3 (800mg) 3 times a day for about a week. You should be fine. When you aren’t training, also wear cushioned shoes- no thin sandals or heels.</p>
<p>This has been going on for a couple of days and I was continuing to train as usual. Friday I did a double session with a moderate pace in the morning and speed work at nite - Yesterday I was feeling pretty bad. Today is much better and I am going to wear my more cushioned shoes for all workouts, shorten workouts for the next few days, ice it & take some Advil - I also told DH that since I want to stay off my feet, he is welcome to wait on me as much as he likes - he is now at grocery store so this does have an up side :)</p>
<p>Whew…I can’t imagine how he does it! And at a fast pace. I did get a chuckle out of his diet - I am always sooo health conscious (and I do still have my teeth), but overall he is probably a lot healthier than most 60 year olds!</p>
<p>Well, here’s the thing - I am not a runner. I am one of those quirky, odd-looking racewalkers. I started as a lark a couple of years ago and overall I have found it to be very forgiving for aging joints. The great thing about it is that even though I am getting older, it is a lot like swimming in that improved technique can make a huge difference in times. So, at least for now, I continue to get more efficient. I rarely compete; there are very few judged racewalking events, but this race will have a very tough field and I want to be respectable ( I was going to say not look foolish, but that would be tough considering it is racewalking :)). The first time DH came to a race he was supposed to be offering support and some water. He started laughing so hard that in order to make himself less conspicuous, he started drinking my water. He has learned to control himself and actually appreciates the finer points of technique. </p>
<p>So - six weeks to go and just hoping the ol’ body holds up!</p>
<p>Take care of it before it gets worse, like mine has. No standing around in heels, no matter how cute you look at the party. No wearing cheap shoes with no arch support. Put a can of pop on the floor under your desk and roll it back and forth under your heel. Before you get up in the morning do a complete stretch of your foot and ankle, pulling your foot up and massaging underneath. Try not to sleep with your toes pointed.
If you can get DH to agree to reciprocal foot-rubs, that’s really good. For many reasons…</p>
<p>Talk about small world - Christopher McDougall interviewed DD for college. She loved her interview with him and said he was incredibly interesting and laid back. </p>
<p>Thanks all for the advice. I am hoping it isn’t plantar fasciitis - my heel doesn’t bother me, but it is worse in the AM. As a precaution, I am rolling my foot over a can of cold soda even as I type.</p>
<p>Plantar fasciitis doesn’t always present as heel pain, but can be general tenderness in the middle of the sole of the foot. The really telling sign is that once you walk around, first thing in the morning, and stretch the tendons, it feels better. Not well, but better.</p>
<p>Some people (including me) get relief wearing good clogs like Danskos (not for training, but for daily use :)- don’t go for a jog in them). It seems counterintuitive, but the good arch support and stiff sole seem to help. Not an over night cure, but might allow you to begin healing, and possibly continue your training. If you have Danskos in the back of the closet, give them a try. If not, they’re $100 +, and have that mom-shoe/70’s throwback look that my kids abhor. Oh well.</p>
<p>Last summer I had plantar fasciitis. The pain extended from my heel through the arch of my foot. I had a hard time hobbling out of bed in the mornings. I agree with riverrunner about wearing a supportive pair of shoes. In my case, I got a pair of Crocs…yes they were ugly and my kids made fun of me, but they were very inexpensive and made walking bearable.</p>
<p>Oh, please! Not the dreaded Crocs! Anything but the Crocs! If I have to wear those things it is because I am being punished for all of my snarky comments about them. :)</p>
<p>Danskos - yes, I do have a pair hidden away in my closet. I have put away my favorite flat sandals & I am mostly wearing my most supportive running shoe right now. Actually, I left my pair with the best arch support on a trip to NYC and so I am mailing a stamped self addressed envelope to get them back.</p>
<p>I swear by MBTs as my recovery shoes. WARNING-price shock. I also wear Vibram Five Fingers- including to work one day a week. Yes, I get strange looks.</p>