Blood Blisters

[dylanj08]

I went running today for the first time in my KSO's. I loved the experience while it lasted, but not even a mile into my run I began to notice an irritation on the bottom both big toes on the medial side. I took one shoe off and didn't notice much except the impression of the edge of the inside of the big toe on the bottom, so I put them back on and continued to run. I decided to run intervals because it didn't hurt for the first few strides, but when it would hurt I would stop. A few hours later and I now have what appear to be two deep seated blood blisters, one on either toe in the same place. My toes are now tender to walk on, should I take a pin and drain them before they coagulate? Also, how do I prevent this from happening again? I really want to get back out there asap. Thanks!

[jasonsong]

wear socks? I ran my first time today. wearing socks. no problem at all.

[Chris]

I had the same thing happen on one of my jogs, about half a mile... I know it's pathetic but I'm just starting out.  I thought it was due to my lifelong calluses on the outside of each big toe (my mom has them forever too.)  I assumed the jog caused the calluses to pound the rest of my toe enough to result in damage.  I left them alone for a few days until something in the area started to peel, at that point I was able to clean out everything. 

I was able to walk fine the next day with a little soreness and felt normal at the end of that day.

[TomZ]

 

Had a similar experience the first time I wore my KSOs on the treadmill. Drained them afterward. No further issues. Of course, have not run on the treadmill since.

[kuo34]

I had pretty decent calluses on my big toes before I switched to VFF (longtime "traditional" runner).  I developed some deep blisters in the first couple weeks, but otherwise they've been healing up fine.  I've attributed mine to having a diagonal step while running (worked well in regular running shoes) and pushing off with toes, so even with a Pose/Chirunning technique, these two things where putting a ton of pressure and friction on the outside of the big toe.

Your mileage may vary, but I'm almost willing to bet that's what the cause is.

[dylanj08]

Kuo34, that sounds kind of like what I may doing. I ran today a half mile (this time on a treadmill) and it felt better. I tried not to run on my toes as much, and more so on the balls of my feet. I'm thinking I was on my toes more than I should have been my first run? It seemed today that the faster I would run the more I would prefer my toes to the balls of my feet, so I kept the speed down and focused on landing on the balls and running quietly.

[hippierunner]

Do some barefoot.  You'll quickly feel the hot spots and adjust.  You don't even have to run barefoot, just walk outside for 1/2 mile.  After some barefoot, VFF are cake.

[kuo34]

I think Hippierunner is right, but frankly I'm scared of running out on the road with nothing but skin on my feet.  I guess I'm more than halfway there already.  Maybe a short run today that way.

dylanj08, I find that the faster I try to run the more pressure I put on the balls of my feet and the more I push with my toes.  I've been paying attention to my foot alignment for the last few days walking and running and it's a really strange sensation since it's always been that 45 degree vee for standing still.  I spend a lot of time on my runs reminding myself to simply pick my legs up and to land on my feet instead of pushing with them.  The faster I go the harder it is to accomplish this.

I will try some true barefoot today.  Maybe VFF in hand for the walk home.

[huntmol]

I think that it's just because you pushed too hard when starting out VFF running.

When I started I just ran a half mile at a slow pace. From there I simple increased the distance by about 10% each week. Now I'm up to 5 miles at a very quick pace four times a week! (I'm no marathoner)