Blisters and technique

Ok, have got up to 10 to 15 mins barefoot but thats it- I then have to stop because I get blisters on the bottom of most of my toes. I know it must be my technique but can't figure it out. I think I am curling my toes up slightly before landing and am trying not to push off of my toes but its still happening. Obviously between then treating said blisters and allowing them to heal my training is then very hit and miss. I intend to carry on with the barefoot, maybe get down the track and get myself videod and I may spot something but I am getting frustrated and having to stop my training in the meantime so am going to buy some barefoot footwear so I can continue to run. I am thinking of the Vivobarefoot Ultras - I got my daughter a pair and she loves them - likes running in just the sock too!

Unfortunately there are no shops local that sell them so I would be ordering off internet - anything i should know about the sizing and what do you folks think of them?
 
Hi Terence, I'm also just learning at the moment but I've noticed that to avoid blisters or scuffing, I really need to keep my feet landing under my hips and keeping a slight forward lean from the ankles up; this means that if I glance down, I probably can't see my feet (or much of them) landing if I'm doing it right. If I can see them, the are landing ahead of my centre of mass, and then it is much harder to transfer my bodyweight forward without applyign pressure on the feet, likely the toes. I also think when lifting off, I am more likely to have some sideways movement in the foot (leading to blisters/scuffing) if I have landed ahead of my centre of mass/hips.

A warmup exercise that helps me is standing in place, feet just hip width apart, knees lightly bent. Then, try to peel each foot off the ground from the heel, then replace, then peel the other foot, then replace. Repeat for about a minute. This is a ChiRunning exercise slightly similar to the 100-up exercise, just with less range of motion. This basically aims to help your body learn: a) where your feet should be to be under your hips when they land; b) how it feels to lift and place your feet without applying pressure.

as for the Vivos, my experience is that their various models all size up very differently, so trying them on is essential. at least Vivo have a good returns policy!

Hope this helps.
 
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I used to have this problem of blistering on the toes. For me, I tended to "grip" the road with my toes. I would just slightly lift my toes before landing and then my toes wanted to grab to road for traction I guess. This is fine on trails but out on concrete and pavement this chews the toes up bad. I had to learn to relax the toes immediately upon landing. Now I only on occasion have problems with this, usually when I've run off road and then switch back to running on a road or sidewalk again.
 
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Hi Footsie

thanks for the advice on both the running/drill and the Vivos. I will definitely try what you have suggested. I have actually been doing the 100up drill for a few weeks now - it as helped allow me to get some running like exercise while suffering with blisters.
 
I used to have this problem of blistering on the toes. For me, I tended to "grip" the road with my toes. I would just slightly lift my toes before landing and then my toes wanted to grab to road for traction I guess. This is fine on trails but out on concrete and pavement this chews the toes up bad. I had to learn to relax the toes immediately upon landing. Now I only on occasion have problems with this, usually when I've run off road and then switch back to running on a road or sidewalk again.
Thanks for that Nick ,its something I hadn't thought about, as I said I have been taking care ( I think!) to slightly curl up my toes before landing and try not to "push off" on them but never thought about them overgripping the road surface and crating extra pressure in between those 2 phases. Will try and see if this is what is happening and correct it!
 
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