FIXING YOUR FEET E-zine
Volume 6, Issue 2, February 2006
John Vonhof, Footwork Publications
Copyright, February 2006, All rights reserved
THIS ISSUE IN SUMMARY
My editorial talks about basic foot care and why it is your job. There
is one foot care tip, a great bad feet photo, and one non-feet good
stuff item. It also explains why there has not been a newsletter in a while.
PURPOSE
The Fixing Your Feet E-zine is published twice a month to inform and
educate athletes and non-athletes about proper foot care skills and
techniques, provide tips on foot care, review foot care products, and
highlight problems people have with their feet.
EDITORIAL: Basic Foot Care – It’s Your Job
Last month I had the opportunity to serve on the medical team at The Coastal Challenge, a seven day, 150 mile stage race in Costa Rica. There’s not a better way to see a country than on foot. There were 51 athletes from around the world out to experience the trails and roads, and beaches and rainforests of a beautiful country. The people were warm and very friendly. The food was great. The scenery was fantastic, wildlife colorful and exotic, and the weather hot and humid. We had great fun.
Of course I was there to patch feet—so that’s what I did. I learned a bit of new stuff—that I will add to the 4th edition of Fixing Your Feet. I made some observations over the course of seven days. What I want to share here is pretty basic—but what many forget.
When you are starting an adventure, whether a backpack, a 50-mile run, a fastpack, a walking vacation, or an adventure race, you are responsible for your feet. Not me. Not the medical crew, if there is one. It’s your job. Let me explain.
You need to come to an event prepared to manage whatever your feet toss at you. That means having a foot care kit appropriate for the length (both in miles and days) and type of event. Having a foot care kit means you also know how to pretape to prevent hotspots and blisters, repair any blisters you get, apply any patches you have, care for your toenails, and manage calluses or any other unique features of your feet.
The medical staff doing foot care at Costa Rica had lines every evening. There were three of us patching feet. We had a lot of materials—but quickly went through a lot of the stuff. It is difficult to patch feet in the evening, and then be expected to, patch feet at the aid stations the next day, and then again that evening. We would have run out of stuff in a few days. Fortunately, some of the runners had their own materials and patched their own feet. I commend them. They really helped us.
You also need to some into an event with feet that are properly prepared. That means calluses reduced. I know, I know, you really like your calluses. Then at least reduce them so they aren’t as thick. The little calluses on the bottom of your toes can quickly become bothersome. Those on your heels can ruin your whole event. It also means working on your toenails so they won’t create toe blisters and black toenails. See the Foot Care Tips section below for more on toenails. It also means pitting the miles on your feet to condition them for the rigors of the event you will be doing. Doing 20 miles a week will not prepare you for effectively doing a 150 mile, seven day event. It also means having quality shoes and socks—not ones that are worn down.
Bottom line, it’s your job to be prepared. It is not the job of the medical staff to patch you up every night and every morning, and at every aid station—especially when your feet are not prepared coming into the event. Many times we can work small miracles, but please work with us. Then watch us as we work and take the time to learn so the next time you can help us out. We’ll thank you for helping.
SOMETIMES LIFE TOSSES YOU A CURVE
Life is not static. Sometimes we move from day to day in routines in which we are comfortable. In January I was tossed one of life’s curve balls when a health issue became a major concern. Over the next few months I have some major decisions to make and treatments to undergo. This may also continue for several years.
This is the reason there were no newsletters in January and early February. Until this is worked out, I will try for one newsletter a month, maybe around the middle of the month. Please bear with me as I work through this. Thanks for your support.
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FOOT CARE TIPS I can’t emphasize enough the need to work on your toenails. Well-maintained toenails will not work against you in your runs or other adventures. Toenails that are too long will catch on socks and hit against the front of your shoes. Long toenails can also push backward leading to pain at the cuticle. Toenails that are too thick can hit against the top of your shoe’s toebox. Learn how to use a nail file to take off the rough edges. And a word for ladies: those fancy nails are pretty, and I love them, but file them shorter before an adventure. File nails so as you run your finger over the front edge, you will feel next to nothing.
BAD FEET PHOTOSLisa de Speville of Johannesburg, South Africa is a frequent contributor to this newsletter. Here’s what she write about this photo. “Check out the gunk in the syringe! The poor lass was in PAIN. Both big toes too. Some of this was from spider bites. Big time swelling. Toes and also a few fingers. Another team-member too."
See past photos through August 2005 here. Just think; your feet could be featured in this e-zine for everyone to see! Submit your photo or short story by email or snail mail. Stories should be no longer than 250 words. Send them to me by email or by snail mail to Footwork Publications, 352 Fragrance Court, Manteca, CA 95337.
NEW HAPPY FEET BOOKLET
My booklet, Happy Feet! Foot Care Advice for Walkers and Travelers is in stock and ready for the walkers in your life. This booklet is 3.75 x 8.5 and 36 pages in length. In an easy read format, it gives advice on biomechanics and gait, buying footwear, fit, lacing, insole and toenail tips, skin care, powders and lubricants, blister care, sprains, foot care kits, and more. It’s a bargain at $5.00. Click here to read more.
GOT A STORY TO SHARE?
I am always on the look out for stories to share about their adventures with some type of connection to feet. If you have something to share, please send me an email.
NON-FEET GOOD STUFFTired of snot running down your face? Tired of wiping you nose on your sleeve or your bare arm? Try the Snot Spot. It’s a moisture resistant fleece worm over your glove or mitten (or I suspect over a bare hand). Check it out here.
THE HAPPY FEET BLOG
If you like to stay informed about foot care issues and information, check out my blog, Happy Feet: Expert Foot Care Advice for People Who Love Their Feet. This is different from this ezine. The Happy Feet blog will have a new short topic every other day.
READER FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS
Reader feedback to this E-zine and its articles is welcome and encouraged. Please email any foot care ideas or tips that you have tried and would like to share with others, or ideas for an article for the e-zine.
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ARCHIVED BACK ISSUES
Back issues of this E-zine (before September, 2005) are archived at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FixingYourFeetEzine/.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
You are welcome to contact John Vonhof by email about this E-zine or the book Fixing Your Feet. Snail mail is welcome at 352 Fragrance Court, Manteca, CA 95337.