If you walk a lot on Vacation, Read This



This week's topic for the Friday 5 is about Vacations and whether or not we continue running on vacation. Most of my vacations are Race-cations so yes, there is running involved but for the times where a vacations is just that, VACATION,  I don't purposely run because I have to get a certain amount of miles in or because it's on The Plan.  If I run, it's simply because I want to or it's a great way to explore a new place.


However, where ever I go on vacation, I am certain there will be a lot of walking involved. I assume that a lot you like to walk as well so I put together a list of 5 products that can help prevent blisters from all that vacation walking.

I guess the first rule would be a no brainer, wear the right shoes. Yes, flip flops and anything with a strap that will rub (on the toes or on the heels) is the biggest culprit for blisters.

If you think you are blister prone, try these products.

1.  Vaseline: According to Alexandra Heminsley, author of Running Like a Girl, putting Vaseline on your feet before you put your socks on can prevent blisters.

2.  Blister Shield from 2Toms:

This is a powder that you simply pour into your sock and shake it around before putting your sock on. This powder does not stain, it's water proof and it helps eliminate friction.


But what if you aren't wearing socks?

3. I've tried this Blistop spray by Flexitol.
Spray it on your feet several minutes before you put your shoes on. A word to the wise, do it in a well ventilated area. This stuff has a strong smell. ( It's not bad, it's just very strong, kind of like a mix of hairspray and medicine).  This stuff is also very cold, and it made my feet purple for a while ( because of how cold it was). It reminded me of that canned air you use to clean your keyboard off.



4. Sports Shield from 2Toms:
This is probably the most simple product. It is like a roll on deodorant. Roll it on any part of your body that is prone to blisters or even chafing.  This is perfect for if you know you will get blisters in the same exact part of your foot each time. Just roll it on that part and you are good.  This has no odor at all!

5. Actually, an even more simple product to use is just plain old stick of deodorant! I learned this tip from Rachel and used it before running the NYC half marathon and finished with out ANY blisters. If it worked that well for a 13.1 mile run, I assume it will work for walking as well.

With that being said, I now need to go pack for my vacation! -M

Just in case you do end up developing a blister. I've found this Dr. Oz video to be helpful. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/first-aid-blisters-pt-1
 I can't believe that one lady is walking with blisters like that.







35 comments:

  1. Have a great vacay! I'm heading out as well. When friends visited us in Paris, I told them months in advance there'd be lots of walking. Honestly I think it's something you need to "train" for if you are sedentary.

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    1. As long as I'm comfortable walking doesn't bother me!

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  2. Great tips! Wearing good shoes is key but sometimes you can't resist those cute vacation sandals!

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  3. Oh yes, we walk a ton on vacation! I used to be anal about getting the miles in but now I only run on vacation if I want to. Normally I do want to because we go pretty places like Co and Ca.

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  4. The only problem I have with my feet is that they hurt so much after all that walking! I'm all about the shoes.

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    1. Maybe you need some cushy inserts for your cute shoes!

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  5. I agree...vacations should be about rest & relaxation. I try to get in at least one run (depending on the number of days we'll be at our destination place), but I refuse to let running dictate my schedule. Any level of fitness will not suffer from a few days of non-running activity ;-)

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    1. You are right on! If I run its because I want to, not because I feel like i'll lose fitness. ( I mean I might, but I don't care..lol).

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  6. I love to run and walk on vacations to see EVERYTHING. Great tips. I usually get the worst blisters and chafing walking because my gear is not as good. I always bring band-aids, too! Have a great trip!

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    1. Oh bandaids are a must! I need to remember that just in case!

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  7. I love to walk as much as possible when on vacation. I find that it helps to offset all the yummy food that I consume, lol

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  8. I've never heard of using deodorant for blisters great idea!

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    1. I think the deodorant works the best out of any of them!

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  9. Alex and I like to see how many steps we can get in. It has become a thing ever since our trip to Europe!

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    1. I don't usually take my fitbit on vacation cus I worry I may lose it!

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  10. Thankfully I'm not very blister prone. I just hiked a half yesterday & have a half tomorrow . . . I tried really hard to get my husband more active before we left, but he did at least manage.

    May you have a blister free vacation. Enjoy!

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    1. Thankfully I usually only get them during running but I did have a pair of peep toe shoes this spring that rubbed my toes the wrong way. I few bandaids later and all was well.

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  11. I love seeing how much we walk on vacation. We walked a ton in Scotland last week. I always carry body glide with me just in case I think my shoes might bother me, but my Salomon hikers are perfect!

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    1. I would rather walk places too. I think you see more that way.

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  12. Have fun on vacation! These are great tips :) I've been suing bodyglide on my feet since I started running and that works pretty well too.

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  13. I pack my running shoes in walk in those. The only time I ever walked with flip flops was in Italy, but I'd had toe surgery a couple months before and the toe was still healing. I had the Reef flip flops and I never got a blister.

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    1. Depending on how much walking we do I may wear mine too.

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  14. One thing you can do if you're partial to flip flops is invest in a pair of Oofos. I've used them on several vacations and done tons of walking and haven't had an issue. They don't rub like normal flip flops and they are super comfortable.

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    1. I usually don't wear flip flops unless they are my comfy Nike ones. Most others are too thin and offer no support. Those oofos are nice.

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  15. Hope you have a great vacation! I've found Body Glide to work really well on the feet too, especially in areas that are prone to hot spots. I usually pack it to use when I run, so its great that it can serve multiple purposes and be used for multiple activities while away. #yayforsavingspaceinthesuitcase

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  16. Ricky & I always said we need vacations from our vacations when we would travel somewhere because we were constantly on the go. When we went to Disney, I've never had my feet hurt so bad in my LIFEEEEEEE - 7 days of walking from 7am to midnight every day

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    1. I agree, Disney is definitely a vacation that you need a vacation from!

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  17. Breaking in new shoes is the worst. I did that this spring with a pair of dress shoes. I wore them around the house with a pair of thick socks for a few days.

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  18. I've had way too many vacations where I've developed blisters from walking too much and trying to wear cute shoes... great tips!

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  19. I got Blister Shield in my StrideBox and I haven't opened it yet. Good to know it's a powder! I'll have to try it this summer. :)

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  20. I almost always put vaseline on my feet before a run, not for blister prevention, but for keeping my feet nice and soft ;)

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