If you’re currently feeling the burn after preparing for the upcoming London marathon, you’re not alone. Thousands of people each year take part in the event and, for many, it’s one of the great sporting achievements of their lives. While recovery from running any long race can take as much as a month, you can improve your chances of actually getting round the course on the big day by taking a little more care of your feet, not only after running the marathon but also while you are training.

Common injuries from running including knee pain and Achilles heel damage, which can be caused when the foot pounds constantly onto a hard surface. Most experienced runners will have suffered heel pain when standing in the morning after a long training session the night before. It’s part and parcel of the sport.

Here are our top tips for making sure your feet, and your body, stay in the best shape for the big day:

After you finish a training session, it’s important that you have your shower and then dry your feet properly.

• You shouldn’t be wearing the same old trainers if they are not doing the job – experts say you should replace them every 500 miles, give or take, especially once the support goes and you stop getting the cushion effect that helps prevent injuries to the joints and problems such as shin splints.
• If you do start suffering from discomfort, such as pain in the knees or problems with your Achilles tendon, then a trip to a podiatrist should be top of your list.
• It pays to invest in your footwear so make sure you go to a specialist supplier or store who are tuned into what runners need. Your trainers should fit properly, neither too small nor too big and provide sufficient cushioning.
• One thing people tend to get wrong is socks. Choosing good quality ones can help reduce fungal infections and the prospect of blistering. Never put the same old socks back on when you have finished running – a fresh, clean pair is the order of the day, every time.
• And finally, always make sure you warm up properly before you start running and, when the training session is finished, it’s equally important to warm down.

Following their exertions, lots of London marathon runners will be applying icepacks to their legs after the onset of delayed muscle soreness.  Many will also be making sure their feet get plenty of recovery support. That could mean paying a visit to a local foot care specialist to make sure there are no immediate problems that need to be remedied or having a foot massage and treating common problems such as blisters.

26 miles and 385 yards is a long way to run when your feet aren’t in tip top condition. Add in all the training to get yourself in good condition and the chances of your feet coming through unscathed are pretty bleak unless you look after them properly.

Getting the right advice is clearly important. Most professional athletes have a whole range of staff to help them stay fit including physios and podiatrists who can advise and treat as needed. If you are an amateur, unfortunately, you have to make your own arrangements.

Visiting a podiatrist or a chiropodist every so often will ensure that your feet get the regular MOT that ensures you stay on track for your marathon adventure. You can also get great advice about whether your trainers are right for the job, how to avoid putting too much pressure on your feet and how to recognise and deal with potential injuries and foot problems.

Booking in at Beauchamp Foot Care for regular check-ups, treatments and great advice can give you the head start you need to run your best race.

Give us  a call today on 020 7225 0794 or use our contact form.