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Cold & Wet Feet
This is from Kevin Sayers (thanks) web site and will be helpful to those that want to know about what to do in the wet & cold. Be sure to check out Keins web site; listed in the links area. Ray Zirblis #1 "My feet get cold..." You probably know this stuff, but... You might try some of the wool blend socks like Smart socks. Also, try a light wool or poly pro hat and gloves, even if you are just in a T shirt and shorts. Sleeves or legs from old long underwear help me, kind of like those warm up footless stockings dancers wear. I can scrunch them up when I'm hot and extend them out fully when cold. or try putting on another light layer, or wind vest. Bottom line: when my feet are cold, I put something on (or eat something.) This may seem crazy, but here's a weird one if you want to experiment: Mountaineering and on fishing boats, before the high tech foot gear of the past 20 years, we used to rub chili powder on our feet. I occasionally do this in below zero weather runs now. It's an odd feeling, definitely warm, though. My guess is that stream crossing might wash it off, but it seems to be absorbed and might work any way. It isn't advisable for feet with cuts, raw areas (ouch!) and it sure does funny rainbow things to socks already stained by shoe-dye bleed, etc. If you play around with this, be very careful. One grain of chili powder left on your finger and gotten in your eye, tongue, etc. will sting. By the way, is it possible that your shoes are laced too tight? Will Brown #1 Jay asked about keeping wet feet warm at Hardrock, and Ray Zirblis suggested wool blend socks. I have a problem with one foot that had reconstructive surgery on it 10 years ago. I wore Smartwool merino wool socks at the Uwharrie Trail 40 in February here in North Carolina. There were frequent stream crossings and the temperature was in the high 30's. My bum right foot didn't get uncomfortable, a rare occasion in the winter. Smartwool has thicker models than the UltraThin I was using, which presumably would add warmth. Merino wool socks are really comfortable, and I think they wick better than synthetics. They're part of my blister prevention solution, which is working so far. Unknown Mountaineering and on fishing boats, before the high tech foot gear of the
The copyright of the article Cold wet feet, part 1 in Distance Running is owned by . Permission to republish Cold wet feet, part 1 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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