I haz nasty feet

WORKOUT -

Ran outside in Homer, AK

8.0 miles/1:06

My first run in exactly 2 weeks.  Suffice to say, I felt amazing, like an Olympic gold-winning marathoner.

yeah, right.  I felt so slow, cumbersome and out of it, I probably wouldn’t even be called a real runner by some.

ha, I’m funny.

Most of the middle miles were in the 8:20s bookended by a 8:58 starting mile and a 7:47 ending mile.

“My” boat office yesterday while we ran from Kenai to Homer:

My dad named this boat after me so I like to remind my brothers (or anyone, really) from time to time.  They seem to really like it when I do.

The trip from Kenai to Homer takes about 90 minutes by car and around 6 hours by boat depending on the tide.

Tommy Hilfiger shirt circa 1998.  It’s hard to be this cool.

Our back deck used to look like this:

And now it’s empty:

We took off all the salmon gear and it’ll be replaced with halibut gear today.

RUNNING TABOOS

Reader Moni asked me to talk about some of the more “taboo” running topics so my first post was about was bacne, and this one is about fungus feet.  It just keeps getting better and better.

Runners are known for their gross, black toenails (if they have any at all all), blisters, gnarly toes and calluses.  My feet are disgusting and I’m usually always short a toenail or two; that’s why I wear black nail polish.

If you’re putting in the miles, I don’t think you can completely avoid runner’s feet – it’s just all part of the deal, like man calves and a closet full of Dri-fit and techie gear.

But to avoid blisters and lost toenails as much as possible, make sure you’re wearing a big enough shoe.  When I was first fitted for shoes, I went up an entire size to an 8.5.  Your feet swell when they’re hot so make sure you’re not jammed into too small, too narrow or too tight shoes.

Also, wear running-specific socks that don’t have many seams, don’t bunch or chafe and wick away moisture.  I wear one of two socks: Drymax Running Lite Mesh socks or compression socks.  I buy my Drymax socks on Amazon  for about $8 but they last a couple years with heavy wear.

You can also coat your feet in baby powder to keep them a little drier or rub Vaseline/Body Glide/anti-chafe cream on any “hot spot” areas.  There’s products like moleskin and friction block to avoid blisters; I’ve never tried either but have read good things about them.

Saving the best for last, athlete’s foot.  I have it on one foot and it is awesome – it’s a virus that never goes away so it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

I usually buy over-the-counter athlete’s foot cream, but I’ve also had a prescription for Ketoconazole, a topical cream that really works well.  I think it also might come in pill form.  I don’t remember it being expensive but you have to get it from a dermatologist.

To avoid outbreaks, change out of your sweaty shoes and socks immediately after your workout.  I find that wearing open-toed sandals helps… much to the dismay of everyone around me.

Also, let your feet dry after a shower before putting socks on.  The key to preventing a lot of feet issues is keeping your feet dry.

And then if all else fails, own it.  So you got runner’s feet.  Better than having couch sitting open sores, right?

Any foot tips or tricks besides sawing them off that I’m missing?

Tagged as: alaska, fishing, gross out