Hi there, someone who has done the walk before told me it was a good idea to put vaseline on your feet, then put on your socks to absorb the sweat during the walk. This sounds a little crazy to me, however I've never walked 60 kms.;)
Has anyone else heard of this? I'd LOVE some opinions!!
Hi there I have heard that this works but have not tried it. This will be my 6th year walking and have found that double layered socks with some baby powder or foot powder in them are the best method of keeping your feet dry. Another good thing which sounds even weirder than vaseline for preventing blisters is to soak the bottom of your feet in cold tea. I usually start doing this a couple of weeks before the weekend I have found that the tannins from the tea toughen up the bottom of your feet. Yes, your feet do get stained a little from the tea but it wears off and is much less painful that blisters. Good Luck and enjoy the weekend! Heather
I have a friend that's done the walk twice, and both times she did the vaseline thing. I've never tried it, but she said it worked for her. I didn't like the idea of the greasy feet. :) I've also heard of the tea soaking, but haven't tried it either. The first year I had no blisters whatsoever, and I didn't have the really good socks either. I think it was all because of the shoes I wore. I should have bought 5 pairs when I bought the one pair, because I can't find anything that fit as nice as them. The past two years I've worn a different pair of shoes (the same pair for the past 2 years) and each year I've gotten a blister on the bottom of my right toe (the one next to the baby toe). I'll be looking for new shoes this year. :)
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Team: The Travelling Ta-Tas
2011 will be my sixth year walking, but it will be Ottawa this year.
The vaseline works the same as the bodyglide but much cheaper - just prevents chaffing....I also thought I wouldn't like the greasy feeling but it really saved me in the end
these are all great tips...the only other thing i would recommend (besides Vick's Vapour rub!) is to begin trying them now, rather than wait until the event. this way, you'll have lots of time to figure out what's best for you!
I use Vaseline on my feet everyday as part of my daily routine, keeps my feet nice and soft I've run, walked and cycled without any problem. My recommendation would be as others have mentioned, spend the money on your socks and shoes you will not enjoy your journey when you're in pain.
Just a note - I tried vaseline a few years ago and didn't have much luck - instead I've been useing antiperspirant(sp?) the last couple of years and it really seems to do the trick for me!
Vaseline can be quite greasy and can ruin your clothes if you use it in other areas other than your feet. I use Body Glide on my feet, my boobs, and slather is on the straps of my bra, on the underside of my arms (especially if wearing a sleevless top) and you can put it on your thighs if they have a tendency to run. I also put it around my waist where my shorts sit. It won't ruin your clothes. Yes, it is slightly more $$ than vaseline, but way less than having to replace a piece of clothing. I think I paid $8 the last time I bought it, so not crazy.
Yes, my girlfriend told me this, we are praticing the walk and i started to get blisters. She told to apply vaseline before bed with socks. This prevents any futher bursting. Elisabeth
Bodyglide from the running room - comes in a "deodarant" style applicator so you don't get anything on your hands. Spend money on quality socks - I went for a compression sock and they help to keep the swelling down. Las year was my first walk and only two small pinky toe blisters!
Vaseline is the way to go. This is my 6th year walking and I was given the tip after my first year because my blisters were so bad. It is great, prevents the friction of the socks rubbing on your feet. I do it every year now, lather up.