Ouch!

I'm now panicking about feet. I did a 10 mile walk today and wore the Inov8s to test them out before Saturday. Well, I don't think I'll be wearing them! Because the toe box is so solid, I now have really sore big toes (the nails). I've got about an inch of room at the end of them but I think, when walking, my toes bang the top of the toe box, so now have really bruised toes. I taped the toes that normally blister and although I didn't get blisters, they are really sore. Mind you, the skin still hasn't come back properly! However, the little toe on my right foot is absolutely killing me. I got a sort of blister under the skin (which is quite hard anyway). I put a pin in it to release the fluid which has helped but it still hurts like hell. Its making me limp.

I really don't know what to do! I think I'll have to wear my running trainers for the Ridgeway. I know I'll get blisters, and I know my feet will be a mess, but I'll have to deal with that at the time. I'm going to tape my feet like mad and hope it stops them getting too blistered. I'm definitely ordering the foot book (recommended on the forum). I think its by a guy called Vonhoff so I'm going to have a look on Amazon. At least I can do this now, and hopefully figure out the best shoes/socks etc, so I don't suffer too badly next year. If my feet blistered after a 10 mile walk today, what hope have they got after a day in the desert!

I need to run more, and walk less I think - I don't get blisters from running! I'm not doing any other training this week because I need to repair my feet as much as possible before Saturday. It's supposed to be hot too!

I'm off to soak my poor feet....

Inov8s

I got a pair of Roclite 282's today. Really hoping these are going to help, tho at the moment I'm not convinced. I know they'll ease up a bit but my feet feel very 'confined' in them! Plenty of room in the toe area which is great but I'll have to wait to walk in them to see if they do the trick. I'm convinced they'll give me blisters! Got a pair of merino wool socks too to see if that helps. Next time I go out, I'll tape my toes up, wear the socks and the shoes and see what happens. On Inov8's website, they say that these are ideal for long distance running and walking, trail walking, mountains, dry tracks, rocky ground etc etc - the girl in the shop said 'No, they're not really walking shoes, just running'. Oh joy. I'm more inclined to go with Inov8's description!