Podiatrist - Scottsdale
South Scottsdale Office
North Scottsdale Office
So you have made up your mind to run the marathon. I see a lot of patients in my North and South Scottsdale office that want to start training for a marathon like the PF Changs Rock and Roll marathon. There are many different reasons why might an individual make such a decision, like personal fitness, feeling of accomplishment, or emotional release. I can relate to that personally, as I crossed the finish line at the PF Changs in 2010. However, regardless of what each runner's reason might be, there are certain criteria everyone must keep in mind to reduce the risk of any potential physical harm. These major guidelines include complete physical health, proper training, proper attire, and most importantly proper shoes.
As some of my favorite podiatric students found working at the podiatry tent at Chicago marathon this past weekend, foot and leg problems are the most common cause of discomfort and extreme pain after reaching the finish line. Caring for your feet and a quest to reduce any risk of injury starts by supervised training.
Of course a pair of new running shoes are one of the most crucial gadgets you'll need to reach the finish line. However, coming up with properly fitting new shoes takes more than just picking it up from a store one day before the race.
Buying a proper pair of shoes starts from the pair of socks that you must purchase before buying shoes. It is recommended to go with wool or synthetic material socks that will reduce perspiration, the number one cause of painful, bloody blisters in runners. Instead of going for traditional cotton athletic socks go for socks made specifically for long distance runners.
When going in to purchase your new shoes, take your socks with you and make sure that the shoes you are about to buy feel comfortable to your foot type in those socks. If you usually wear custom made orthosis or over the counter insoles make sure they work well with the shoes you are about to buy. A comfortable shoe must allow enough space between your longest toe and the shoe to wiggle comfortably without any of your toes getting cramped. Do not rely on shoes getting stretched.
Race day is not a good day to break into your shoes, so start working on this step early. Shoes tend to lose a bit of their shock absorbing property at around 200 miles. The best way to get used to your new shoes without overusing them is to start your training in them 3 weeks in advance for about an hour or two each day.
If you have any podiatric problems, such as calluses, ingrown nails, and shoe fitting problems, take care of them well in advance. Some treatments might require a grace period to heal before any major physical activity. A pre-marathon consultation with your podiatrist is also highly recommended. They can teach you all the little techniques, such as lacing, nail care, blisters and athlete's foot prevention to help you keep your feet healthy all through the race.
Happy Running :)