Blisters: The Silent Saboteur!

Blisters can be your worst enemy in the Parish Walk but with the right preparation, you'll glide through all 85 miles like a machine.


The best way to get your feet race-ready is by starting early and toughening them up over time. You simply can’t replicate time on your feet. So, if you’ve been following my training plan, your feet should now be well adjusted to the pavement pounding.


Over the years, I’ve picked up a few extra tricks. Applying products like surgical spirit or Tuff Foot daily to hotspot areas a few weeks before race day can really help. And it’s essential to clock up your training miles in the exact shoes and socks you plan to race in we want no surprises on the big day.


Choose shoes with plenty of toe room Altra, for example, is renowned for its wide toe box. Pair them with breathable materials: pure cotton or, better yet, moisture-wicking, double-layered socks to banish sweat and friction. Before heading out on long walks (2+ hours), apply anti-chafe balm, Runner’s Rub, or Vaseline generously to your heels, toes, and arches. Pre-tape known hotspots with blister tape or kinesiology strips (KT Tape most chemists stock it). Make sure you regularly trim your toe nails, these are often forgotten and that extra mm or two, it can really make a big difference!


When I completed my first Parish Walk, I made sure my support car was stocked with all the essentials: dry socks, blister pads, a mini first-aid kit (complete with a sterilised needle), and homemade saline solution.


Your goal is to keep your feet cool and dry for as long as possible. If you feel the need to powder mid-race, do it. The golden rule? Don’t wait for pain. If something feels off stop and fix it immediately.


In my early races, I used to walk through blisters, plodding on and waiting for them to pop. The relief got me through. But now? I rarely get the because it's all about the prep work and consistent, quality training.


Smart foot care isn’t just about damage control it’s your enabler. It powers you through a pain-free race and lets you storm across the finish like a legend.

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