trying to run without socks
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bpcooper14 posted 3 years ago.
It's like anything. Take lifting for example. It takes time to build up the callus'. The same can be said to the blisters. Then again, it depends on where the blisters are occurring. It might be something more then just building up a tolerance to running without socks. Maybe it is an improper fitting of your shoes if you are getting them on your toes and not the backs of your heels like some people might be assuming
[COLOR=Red]We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. :p
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glbrum posted 3 years ago.
I started racing with no socks a little while back. I did get a couple of blisters that made it hard to walk after the race, but that was about it. I would say keep the sockless running for the race and protect your feet while training. Just my opinion.
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inlovewithcerve posted 3 years ago.
glbrum wrote:
I started racing with no socks a little while back. I did get a couple of blisters that made it hard to walk after the race, but that was about it. I would say keep the sockless running for the race and protect your feet while training. Just my opinion.
There is maybe nothing more uncool than getting blisters during a race, because you are not used to it I'd say. I experienced that 5k is not long enough to cause trouble with my feet, but it is absolutely different in a short distance tri.
So I second cooper's opinion, just do it and get used to it.
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RV posted 3 years ago.
I race up to a 1/2 IM sockless. Sometimes the way the shoe is constructed - large seams on the underside etc can cause blisters. Good shoes tend to not have that problem. I also use powder in the shoe - that helps absorb moisture etc. I know others will put vaseline etc on the areas of the shoe that tend to cause blisters. Also I use yankz for laces so that I will always have a consistant "tightness" with the laces - don't have to worry about over tightening or having a shoe loosen - that can also cause blisters as the shoe will rub more. Just some thoughts...
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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TBRAVO posted 3 years ago.
I never understood this “no sock� thing especially for longer distance races. What is the advantage anyway? I can see where it would make sense for really competitive sprint and Olympic distance racers. But for longer races or for those of us that are not going to win our age group, what’s the benefit? It only takes me like…oh… 6 seconds to put my socks on (especially if I roll them up ahead of time). I would rather loose 6 seconds than get blisters. Am I missing something? Can some of you “no sock� people explain the advantages to me? Maybe I am missing something. To save time, I guess you could put them on before the swim but that could be kinda soggy. :D
- T
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Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
TBravo, I am on the boat with ya. I used to race sockless in HS, but always trained with socks, and have always biked with socks. Socks keep your feet drier and cooler (or warmer, dpending on climate.) I tri with socks. If I ever get beat in my age group by the 6 seconds it take to put my socks on, I might change my tune, but hasnt happened yet!
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
I agree with TBRAVO and Triguy98,
If you don't get blisters with socks and you get blister without socks, go with the socks!!
If you get a blister then it could cause problems and maybe lose some traing time.
If you lose the training time you may lose more time in an actual race.
'nuff said,
Nothing to it, but to do it
3354
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1413 days
RV posted 3 years ago.
The shorter the race the more those seconds mean.
However, the answer is simple - wear socks if you get blisters, Duh!
If no blisters - then it is "free" time.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
399
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1201 days
TBRAVO posted 3 years ago.
Thanks. It appears that is just a matter of preference to run with or without socks.
Maybe a macho or free-spirit type of thing?
I didn't see any really good arguements for running without socks...
* Faster transition time (not much 6 seconds or so)
* Socks getting soggy from sweat / water (this makes sense, but why not use coolmax socks?)
* Allows you to run faster (huh? what's the logic here?)
- T
4949
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1727 days
beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
Hey TBRAVO-
Some of those things might matter if you are finishing in the top few in your bracket or in the race overall.
I think for the regular mid-pack age grouper, a few second will not hurt you by putting on socks.
I do the sock thing because it is more comfy and I never wory about blisters.
I would worry more about getting a blister and it hampering my training.
I am doing this for my health and to keep in shape.
Nothing to it, but to do it
175
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1324 days
Dkidd posted 3 years ago.
I go sockless unless it's just a long (10+miles) run or a long foot race.
- I have coolmax socks but the way i sweat they just get soaked and heavy. So, since i dont wear them my feet are lighter/faster.
- The last thing I want to do after coming out of the water half dizzy/half outta breath is worry about putting on anythign extra, the least the better.
- and yes, like anyhting else, it takes a little time for your feet to like the longer distance without socks. IMO it's worth it. Then again, i am mostly in the top 5 for my age group, so every seconds counts.
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WindedJammer posted 3 years ago.
I thought I would give the "no sock" thing a try about a month ago. I got some brand new shoes (no liner worn through to shred my feet up) and waited for a cooler night to keep the sweating to a minimum.
I started out on a four mile run and got through the first mile with no problems. At mile 1.5 I was starting to feel some pretty serious rubbing but thought I coud tough it out. At mile 2 I had to stop and look at the damage. I had about 5 blisters on each foot; toes, heels, arches, top, you name it, it was bleeding.
So I had to run all the way back home (two miles), shoes under my arms like loaves of bread, in people's wet, grassy yards. I would have walked but it actually hurt more to do that. Since it was dark out I kept stepping in dog crap too, it was just an all around awful night.
Needless to say, I am never even going to attmept a sockless run agian. Once I healed up I took another long jog with socks on just to be sure it wasn't the shoes. Not even a little irritation, no problems at all.
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wrobis1 posted 3 years ago.
Bodyglide - your best foot's best friend if you're going to run without socks. This usually works anywhere for up to 6-8 miles with me. Make sure and put a lot anywhere around the hot spots on your feet.
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Amy Lee posted 3 years ago.
TBravo,
you are so funny... i definitely tried the no sock thing to be macho!!! :cool: (LOL) no... for me i was always placing so close to the top three finishers in my age group. so shaving off 6 seconds here and there kinda mattered to me.
funny though, my last race i tried wearing socks because of all the "trifuel guilt" i felt. on one of the thread you guys were all pounding the "gotta wear socks" campaign. so i raced in a duathlon wearing socks. let me tell you... WHAT a MISTAKE! the race took place after 5 days of nonstop rain here in the woods of LI. on the first 2 mile run part i'm cruising along and then this race official shouts out..." be careful up ahead you might get a little wet!" well to make a long story short, the duathlon suddenly became a adventure race because we had to wade through a 50 yard stretch of brown slimey muck! it was gross. it was so hard to run with those soggy, squishy, muddy socks. i tossed them off so fast after that run... SOCKS NO MORE FOR ME! by the way, i finally placed after that race. i got 3rd in my age group. yahoo!!! :D
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trimedic posted 3 years ago.
There is some good advise and ideas here. Very good. I race sockless but train with socks, no sense wasting my feet during training but it does take me longer than 6 sec to put on my socks during a race when my feet are wet. Sockless with baby powder in the shoes works great for me. Body glide is another great tool. You could put that over the hot spots to help avoid the rubbing or use a mole skin. I dont' know how well it will stay on during the swim but it could be worth a try. Good luck.
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dr_rios_ec posted 3 years ago.
I am really learning here...
Running sockless...???? I thought it was a thing for those guys in Africa, who go a marathon distance without socks or even without any kind of foot wear....LOL
I do have a problem with heavy sweating...but, I rather run a little soggy than in pain...
Anyway, this is really useful for me to learn different points of view from more seasoned athletes...
But...I will stick with the socks group!!!
See ya
Santiago
-Santiago
"Man!! Defeat is worse than dying, cause´you have to live with it" -My Dad
"It ain´t about how hard you can hit...it is how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward"-Rocky Balboa
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Brian Christens posted 3 years ago.
Sockless in competition for several reasons:
I mainly compete in short distance races and what blisters I get wont slow me down.
Putting on socks when the feet are wet can be more complicated when adrenalin is rushing and the heart rate is in the red zone.
And importantly my transition is very simple. The less tasks I must do, and the less things I see in my transition zone the better.
I have found that a bit of sports tape on the toes can prevent blisters there. I’ve all so tried with tape other places on the foot, but it falls of during the swim.
And finally the shoe is of great importance.
Tri it out – and find out what works for you
Brian
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RV posted 3 years ago.
Quote:
I mainly compete in short distance races and what blisters I get wont slow me down.
I am big on sockless - but not on blisters.
For me having the shoe loaded up with some baby powder takes care of the wet feet and that, for me at least, eliminated any blisters. The shoe construction - seams etc can also cause blisters - putting vaseline on those areas of the shoe may help. I will go sockless up to HIM's. Although for my IM I will use some nice comfy socks. :)
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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thekeyplayer posted 3 years ago.
i would not sugest running without socks because running without them will stink them up and some good socks can offer more arch support and can offer more coushining for people. But if you are some petrolum jelly shold be fine as long at you dont run in the rain.
Hi,
Im trying to run without socks but im getting blisters.
How can my feet get used to run without socks without getting blisters??? :confused:
JC