Race Day Tips: Before and After

Are you ready to run your race this season? If you’ve been training for a marathon or are considering joining one, there are a few things to consider about your foot and ankle health. From your shoe choice to training tips, each of these details matters to ensure you take the best steps toward a successful race.

The doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center are here for you on your fitness journey or if you simply enjoy running as part of your leisure time. Watch for common foot conditions that can become a problem, from bunions to blisters to breaks. Here are ways to treat your feet before and after the race:

Pre-Marathon training

  • Choose your shoes wisely and check in with a podiatrist. Remember, experts recommend that you don’t wear new shoes on race day. The training shoes should be the race day shoes.

  • Stretch – and stretch again. Regardless of how many times you have run a marathon, stretching will always be a requirement. It’s one of the best ways to reduce your risk of injury.

  • Address foot problems before you add more miles to the books. If you have painful corns, bunions, or even blisters, contact your podiatrist. Running more miles will only worsen these conditions and make steps painful.

Post-marathon recovery

  • Congratulations on completing a marathon. Now, it’s time to rest. Soak your feet in warm water and Epsom salt. Sign up for a massage or a pedicure, too.

  • Take a break. You may be tempted to begin training for the next marathon but allow your body time to rest and recover.

  • Check in with your doctor. Schedule an appointment with your podiatrist to make sure that your feet and ankles are in great shape for future marathons.

If you’ve set your sights on a marathon in the future, we’re ready to support you. We hope you take along some of our tips and share them with other runners. Regular foot and ankle maintenance offers the best opportunity to run your race in great condition. Contact us today to learn more.

Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience with addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.

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