Discussion: swelling

I empathize sincerely about the swelling!! I've worn sneakers for the last couple of weeks, including all runs through the mud and all orienteering sessions. Even though the rate of falling and slipping has increased drastically, at least my feet don't hurt. I would always get blisters on the back of my foot when wearing my spikes and these would distract me (especially painful when going uphill) and make it quite difficult for me to concentrate on navigation. Sadly, I don't really have a solution to this problem. I just put on lots of plaster, wear thicker socks, and try not to wear shoes that hurt me...

I've had blisters on the backs of my heels when using newish O-shoes, but that hasn't been too much of a problem. A Compeed (special blister plaster) helps to stop them forming and heals them quickly when they do form. Eventually my feet and O-shoes get used to one another and the problem goes away. But this time, it seems to be something under the skin. It looks all healed up on the surface, so there seems to be little benefit in sticking a plaster on it, but I may get some newer socks to see if that makes a difference.

I prefer not to run O events in trainers/sneakers, as the trainers I have slip and slide on mud quite a lot and can be mud magnets at times. It's not easy running in shoes that are twice as heavy as they should be! The AP discussion thread on Heel Pain has also been quite useful.