I want to share the new Foreword to the 5th edition of Fixing Your Feet. With the planning for each new edition, I struggle over who to ask to write the Foreword. Is famous better then credibility? My choices have always been someone who brings something new to the table. A perspective that is new. I met Brian Krabak through emails and his work at some of the Racing the Planet six-day races. I think you will enjoy what he wrote. Thanks Brian.
The Foreword to the 5th edition of Fixing Your Feet
Whether you are participating in a 5-kilometer or 150-kilometer race, all athletes need to train appropriately to hopefully avoid injury. Train correctly and you can experience the wonders of the outdoors or the thrill of competition. Train incorrectly and you may sustain a significant injury that will not allow you to compete or obtain your goal. In extreme situations, where athletes are out in the wilderness, these injuries can have deadly consequences. Good athletes train appropriately and prepare for whatever obstacles might come their way.
Spending years competing as an endurance athlete, including adventure racing and triathlons, has taught me the importance of preparation and prevention. I can remember finishing 24-hours races having crossed several river beds, hiking over mountain passes and through slots canyons – thankful that my feet, though sore, were fine. Unlike the poor soul I passed at a checkpoint tending to a horrific blister requiring him to drop out of a race, I’ve learned the importance of taking care of one of the most important parts of our body, our feet. It’s our feet that connect us to the surrounding terrain, propelling us toward our next destination. Take care of your feet and the world is yours to enjoy. Ignore your feet and life can be a miserable experience.
I’ve witnessed the impact of injuries to the feet as Medical Director for RacingThePlanet. These ultra-endurance running events challenge athletes to cross over 150 miles over seven days through some of the harshest terrains around the world. My research has identified that for the majority of athletes who experience some sort of race injury-it’s an injury related to their feet. Yet, almost 25% of these athletes will not need medical care. How can that be? The answer is training and prevention. Fortunately for those with injures, most are blisters that can be managed appropriately if identified early. In fact, our medical team spends a good amount of timing reminding athletes to protect their feet. Strategies include the use of lubricants, changing of socks, checking of skin for hot spots, staying well hydrated and well nourished. However, mismanage these blisters or other lower extremities injuries and most athletes experience some serious illnesses including skin infections that causes them to drop out of the race.
That is why Fixing Your Feet is such an important resource. The comprehensive book provides some of the most detailed information regarding your feet and how to prevent or treat injuries from one of the experts in the field. Looking through the pages, you’ll learn about the basics of footwear, including new information regarding minimalist and barefoot running verses shod or traditional footwear. Preventive strategies focus on the role of clothing, compounds, taping and impact of various extreme conditions on your feet. Treatment recommendations will help manage the typical foot injuries relating to skin, muscle and ligaments. Throughout, practical tips will help you no matter where you go. It’s why I will typically recommend the book as a resource for any medical personal helping with an ultra-endurance running event or wilderness expeditions. So whether you are an athlete competing in a race or part of the medical team taking care of an athlete, I recommend you keep Fixing Your Feet close by.
Brian J Krabak, MD MBA
Sports Medicine Physician
University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital
Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Medical Director, RacingThePlanet 4 Desert Series
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I already have decided who I want to write the Foreword for the 6th edition! That’s a long ways off and may never happen, but I remember back in 1997 when Fixing Your Feet was a self-published book done on a shoestring – and a lot of hope. Now, 15 years later, Fixing Your Feet has earned it place in foot care history (if there is such a thing).
Thank you all my faithful readers and followers. Thank you all those who have shared their ideas photos. I pray you enjoy the 5th edition and it saves you pain and discomfort. You are the reason I do this.
