FIXING YOUR FEET Ezine
Volume 5, Issue 9a, September 2005
John Vonhof, Footwork Publications
Copyright, September 2005, All rights reserved
PURPOSE
The Fixing Your Feet Ezine 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.
THE NEW FORMAT
This is an exciting change. After fours years of sending out a text ezine every month, I am changing the format. At issue was how many readers actually received each issue. In today’s world of Spam, many readers have blocking software on their computers. However hard I try to eliminate the risky words, there are still words left that might send it to your junk file.
So the decision was made to covert the text ezine to a blog based newsletter. The immediate benefits are many. First, there will be two issues each month. I will divide the material in half. The 1st of the month issues will include the Editorial, Tips and Hints, and Non-feet Good Stuff. The mid-month issue will include the Feature Article, Featured Foot Care Products, the Bad Feet Contest, and Reader Feedback. Over time, it will hopefully evolve into a fixed format. Secondly, each issue can contain photos and images, color and style that were impossible in the text based ezine. And third, it can contain sidebars of related stuff: a calendar that shows all posts, the 10 most recent posts, photos, etc.
You’ll still get an email from Yahoo Groups each time I post a new
newsletter. It will contain a link to open the new issue. Click on the
link and you will be taken to the FixingYourFeet Blog webpage. It’s
simple and uncomplicated. No download, no PDF file, and no more having
to read only boring text. And, yes, it will contain the mandatory links
to subscribe, unsubscribe, privacy, etc.
You also have the option to subscribe right at the blog page to
get updates directly. I am using FeedBlitz to manage the subscription
service. You’ll see it at the top left side of this page. The update
will go right to your in-basket.
You’d be smart to add this website to your favorites list. That
makes it easy to check it out anytime. There may be a few bugs to work
out, but it’s a giant step forward. I welcome your feedback.
THIS ISSUE IN SUMMARY
The feature article is “Is There a Pedicure in Your Future?” Teko Socks
are the featured product, and the Bad Feet Contest has a great shot of
macerated feet.
THE HAPPY FEET BLOG
In July I started a new service to fill another need—a blog, "Happy
Feet: Expert Foot Care Advice for People Who Love Their Feet." This is
different from this ezine. Whereas this ezine will have full length
articles and in-depth information, the Happy Feet blog will have a new
short topic every other day. You can check it out at Happy Feet. Just like this ezine, you can subscribe to get update via email.
SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER
This newsletter has 1697 subscribers. Please take a moment and forward
this issue to a friend or two and encourage them to subscribe.
FEATURE ARTICLE: Is There a Pedicure in Your Future?
by Denise Jones, the Badwater Blister Queen
Is there a pedicure in your future? Why would a runner consider getting pedicures? Surely 
such a lavish
bubbling foot treatment in a spa or salon might sound way too frilly
and out of the ordinary for such a sport. Think about it this way, your
feet get you there in ultras. If your feet are in bad shape, they can
prevent or greatly hinder your long distance adventures. [Editor’s note: I just had to share this picture!]
Consider getting a pedicure for the health of your feet, not just
for the esthetics. You may think the callus you’ve developed is your
insurance and a means by which your foot protects those friction areas
better. Quite the contrary, callus is never normal. Rather, it is a
sign of poor biomechanics or ill-fitting footgear.
Unless callus is troublesome, most runners tend to ignore it. Once
you have experienced a deep blister underneath callus, you are more
likely to rid your feet of them or at least minimize them. So, consider
getting pedicures. Also, warn your manicurist/pedicurist that you are a
runner and you do not want your callus shaved off, but rather you’d
prefer having them gently removed a little at a time with a pumice
stone, or even better a buffing pad. Getting feet in better shape is a
process, not instantaneous.
Additionally, problems can arise from poorly filed and trimmed
toenails. Many runners have paid a high price for untrimmed nails,
where an edge can catch on the sock and thus cause the entire toenail
to lift after enough miles. Not only is this painful, but most of the
time, it’s preventable. So, get those toenails in good shape too, with
a pedicure. Then there is the foot massage. Ahhhh, it is therapeutic
and just plain feels good! Until I get a good foot massage, I don’t
even realize how sore my feet are.
This is what to expect when getting a pedicure. Guys, ignore the
part about polish and ask that your toenails be buffed to a great shine
naturally. Steps for the pedicure itself include:
1. You’ll be seated at the manicurist’s station. There are two types of
pedicure 
stations – a standard rolling cart that the manicurist sits
on, with a bar in the front your feet rest on, or a large chair with a
basin at the feet. Generally the latter style is reserved for higher
end salons and spas, and is often called a “spa chair”.
2. Your nail polish (if any) is removed off of each toenail.
3. Your toenails are often cut and shaped before being soaked; however,
some salons do this after soaking. Large nail clippers and emery boards
are used to trim and file your toenails to a nice shape. You can select
the length and shape you wish (square is preferable). Make sure, as a
runner, you get those toenails short enough, and filed down smoothly.
4. Your feet will be soaked in a large basin of warm water, often with
a small vibration to it. Your feet should soak for at least five
minutes before they start work on your cuticles.
5. One foot is removed from the water, and a cuticle lotion is applied
to the edge of the toenails. An orange stick (a long wand with a
squared off end) is used to push back the cuticles from the toenail.
6. A Cuticle trimmer (which resembles a tiny metal wire cutter) is used
to trim off the dead skin around the toenail edges. No live skin is cut.
7. A little dot of oil is applied and rubbed into each toe, and the foot is returned to the basin of warm water to soak.
8. The other foot is removed from the water, and the cuticles trimmed. The second foot is returned to the water.
9. The first foot is removed from the water, and a rough piece of rock
called a pumice stone is used to remove calluses and dead skin from the
base of the foot. Some salons use metal scrapers to slough off dead
skin; however, most salons have stopped doing this due to liability
issues.
10. The foot is returned to the water for a final soak.
11. The second foot is removed from the water, and the pumice stone is used to rub off the dead skin and calluses.
12. Both feet are removed from the water, and patted dry with a clean towel.
13. The nails are buffed to a nice smooth shine with a nail buffer.
This step may occur in conjunction with the nail trimming but is often
saved until near the end.
14. Lotion is applied to each leg and foot, and rubbed in with a massaging motion.
15. The toenails are cleaned with a final drip of acetone (nail polish
remover) on a clean cotton ball to remove any oil or lotion.
16. The feet are patted totally dry, and cotton or foam forms are inserted between the toenails to keep your toes apart.
17. Nail polish is applied to each toenail. Typically you will have two coats of colored polish, and one coat of clear topcoat.
18. You will be asked to sit for 5-10 minutes with your feet in front
of a fan to allow your toes to dry completely before leaving.
19. Your manicurist will check to make sure your toes are completely
dry before removing your toe dividers. If you’re in doubt, ask her to
check before you put your shoes back on!
20. Carefully ease your toes into your thongs or sandals, being careful
not to scrape your new polish. Your toenail polish may take up to
another hour or more to dry fully, so don’t plan on putting an tight
fitting shoes or socks on for at least this long!
Additional resources:
Beauty-Free-Tips.com
eHow.com on How to Give Your Mate a Pedicure and How to Give
Yourself a Pedicure
Hooked on Nails
FootSmart products
If you have an opinion on this article, please share your views via email.
FEATURED FOOT CARE PRODUCTS
** Teko socks are made for those who prefer socks made with the lowest
ecological 
impact. I challenge you to put these socks up against any
other socks. Made with the usual Merino wool, nylon, and Lycra, they
also contain Ecopoly and recycled polyester—two products friendly to
the environment. They contain no harmful or toxic materials, and use
low-impact, environmental friendly dyes. In fact, Teko uses wind
electrical power. Even the package is made from 100% recycled products.
With a tag line of, “Best socks on the planet, best socks for the
planet.” they received Backpacker Magazine’s Editors’ Choice Green 2005
award.
I wore the Merino Wool Quarter Cut Sock multiple times and like
them a lot. Good colors, a nice line of styles and thicknesses, and an
obvious high quality. They have a nice seamless cuff, a flat toe seam,
and Lycra arch support, and are vented on top of the foot. Teko also
makes Organic Cotton, Ecopoly, and EcoWash Wool socks. With a one-year
return policy if you are not satisfied, give them a try. See them all
and find a dealer or order online at http://www.tekosocks.com.
FIXING YOUR FEET – The Book
“IMHO, John Vonhof is a god. I own his 2nd edition, and just ordered
the 3rd. I thought that I knew everything about my feet too – but I
think that his book is better than anything else out there for new
& tested ideas.” – Christine "Ceanothus" Kudija – PCT Hiker
“I have your latest copy of Fixing Your Feet. You should see it now,
full of turned corners and yellow highlighter.” – Jürgen Ankenbrand,
the Ultra Kraut
The 3rd edition of Fixing Your Feet: Prevention and Treatments for
Athletes has been out for a year now and is still the book of choice
for athletes. It can be ordered through your bookstore, sports store,
or visit my website for autographed and personalized copies at
Footwork Publications. I offer the book at 20% off, autograph it,
and mail it either by Priority Mail or Media Mail (to save a few
dollars). It can also be purchased from Amazon.
BAD FEET CONTEST!
Want to see a great pair of macerated feet? Look no further. Lisa de
Speville of 
Johannesburg, South Africa sent in this photo submitted by
Fabio Venturi. Fabio wrote: “"Check out these feet, from the 2005
Cederberg Challenge. They belong to Rob Sunter’s team and I took them
after the 45KM hike section. They are the result of wet weather with
poor shoes and no replacement socks." This is a great example of what
can happen when you cannot change out of wet shoes and socks. Many
runners with such feet tell me it feels like the whole bottom of the
foot is a giant blister. Trust me, once you have feet like these,
you’ll work extra hard to avoid them in the future. See past 2005 photos by clicking 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.
READER FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS
Ron Hamilton wrote, “Congrats on your 4 years with your E-zine! I have the 2nd edition of your book and it has really helped.”
“Ground Pounder” Bill wrote, “Hi. Just got Fixing Your Feet, 3rd
Edition. A friend gave me a Barnes & Noble gift card so I’m ready
to read. Just got 2 huge blisters yesterday doing 4.5 miles in my
sandals, now to fix them. I have a month before my vacation and I don’t
want anything slowing me down. Remember, Be Prepared. PS: I don’t
remember ever having blisters in the Marine Corps!"
Reader feedback to this ezine 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.
GOT A STORY TO SHARE?
I am always on the look out for stories about adventures with some type
of connection to feet. If you have something to share, please send me an
email.
SHARE THIS ISSUE & SUBSCRIBE
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CONTACT INFORMATION
You are welcome to contact John Vonhof about this ezine or the book Fixing Your Feet.
