[pct-l] Foot ready, are you?

[Minda Fraser]

Hi JP! Sounds like you've been really contemplating a foot saving strat! If you want to quickly build up your feet. Start wearing flip flops! Everywhere! No more cozy socks and closed toe shoes to keep your toes soft and pretty! I'm not saying mine are gnarly! The opposite! But they are well maintained and tough with solid heel and ball of foot calluses. First get a pedicure. Make sure your nails are very clean and short. If you have a beach you can walk on do it barefoot. Get the skin tougher. Then Put on the socks and shoes you plan on hiking in then put on a weighted pack and go walk 4 miles with it. Then go again the next day for 3 miles. And the next day maybe 4 then 6. Or whatever is a good beginning distance with a pack for you. If you have to get up earlier to have the time to do it. Then wake up earlier! Lol. By now you should have found any hot spots your shoes will give you maybe on the heel or maybe toes. If you feel a blister forming you stop what you are doing and let it heal up for a day. Rub your feet down nightly with a nice soothing salve like vitamin E oil or Shea butter or coconut oil. Or Bonnie's balm. Make sure you get between the toes and all hot spots. If you aren't ready for lots of mileage elevate your feet at night. Keep them well maintained and aired out. I like to do ankle calf raises to stretch my feet and legs out. And build strength. Just keep going out there with a weighted pack. Be aware of your hot spots and keep on top of any blister formations. If you don't want to stop to heal up be ready with tape or moleskin. You can toughen your feet up over time to lessen the impact but no matter what we will all feel pain lol. These are just ideas to show you what I've been doing and have done to maintain tougher feet and reduce unhappiness. Also look into orthotics! - I've been using a blend of smart wool socks as well as new balance thin running socks. I heard good things about those injinji toe socks but haven't tried them out. Take care Minda aka Levity. 

Sent from my iPhone

> 


> On Feb 7, 2014, at 10:19 AM, Joshua Walsh <jpwalk38z at aol.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Wow, as a newbie I can see how foot problems stop soooo many hikers.
> 
> After I read many PCT desert trail journals, there appears to be difficulty with foot problems past the first 200 to 400 miles.
> 
> Any Solutions or advice?
> 
> To begin with, I was thinking of only hiking max of 15 miles/day the first 100.
> 
> Secondly, pre-training months before the start date as follows:
> 
> In consideration of these factors: Heat, Friction/Pressure, and Weighted Pounding..
> 
> 1. Battery Heated socks with sand paper inserts covered by.. (Waterproof Socks)
> 
> 2. Waterproof thick socks, wrapped with.. (Ankle Weights)
> 
> 3. Ankle weights, slowly increasing the amount of ankle weight and mileage over time in an attempt to partially mimic backpack weight without straining the back. Adding a weighted hip belt might also prove helpful.
> 
> Sounds a little crazy?
> 
> Tentative Plan:  start with milder everyday use (not at work) and slowly increasing the time and intensity. Build up over a few weeks to a month until I can jog up and downhill with the above preparation on a daily basis. Full training time may vary depending on my personal progress and adaptation.
> 
> My personal belief is that some of us require more time for our skin layers, muscles, tendons and foot bone structures to adapt and grow stronger overtime. Hopefully I can avoid the micro-foot fractures and shin-splints with this progressive approach.
> 
> Please respond with comments for or against. Any constructive advice is welcome!
> 
> JP
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