Training for the Marathon?

Give yourself a running chance with the right preparation

The London Marathon is just around the corner (21st April) and so thousands of people across the country will be donning their running shoes to train for the demanding twenty-six miles to marathon glory. Training for such a grueling distance can put the body under huge physical strain and so it is not enough to just run your way to success – you also need to eat well and take care of your feet as you make your way to the finish line.

Blisters, nausea and sore inflamed feet are just a few of the side effects from running. Don’t let these get the better of you though with these simple steps to success.

Planning snacks around your training can prove to be a problem for most people.

It is crucial that you eat something nutritious that will provide you with enough energy for your run, but is not so big that it will hamper your efforts. Olympic Gold medalist, Ed Clancy recommends eating a Peanut 9bar before starting a run, commenting: ‘Finding a nutritionally balanced food that has both fast and slow release energy for endurance sport has always been a struggle. After suffering stomach problems using other energy bars and gels my nutritionist recommended I try 9bar and I haven’t looked back since’. Peanut 9bars are jam-packed with roasted peanuts, sunflower, poppy and sesame seeds. The Peanut 9bar contains all 20 amino acids and 9 that are essential building blocks for good health, allowing you to fuel your way to success.

Running such long distances can leave your joints sore and inflamed.

It is important to use an effective joint care product. Dr. Wendy Denning, Harley Street GP recommends using Phytodol, an all-natural, topical treatment designed to help care for joints. Wendy comments that ‘topical application of the essential oils found in Phytodol – ginger, zedoary and cinnamon – which have their own anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties – along with the MSM and glucosamine may be particularly beneficial to reduce inflammatory pain’. Phytodol is available in both a cream and spray formulation. Both are rapidly absorbed, providing fast effective relief and the convenient sized 100ml bottles means that they can be used anywhere when pain strikes – allowing you to carry on running pain free.

Running can cause painful blisters and sore feet.

During running your feet will rub against your footwear and so it is important to take precautions when training. Carnation Footcare’s Anti-BlisterStick is a roll-on protective balm that helps shield the feet from blisters caused by rubbing trainers. Carnation Footcare expert podiatrist Dave Wain says: ‘The Anti-Blister Stick is designed to immediately ease friction and stop blisters from developing by providing an extra protective layer to the affected area’ enabling you to carry on running pain-free’

Dave also recommends Carnation Footcare’s PediRoller for long distance runners. The PediRoller is a simple ridged device that, when rolled under the foot, provides on-the-spot comfort, helping to relieve any discomfort. It works by stretching the muscles of the foot to help relieve heel and arch pain that may be caused by running. For an extra inflammatory effect, the PediRoller can also be frozen before use, which helps to reduce any swelling that running may cause.

During running the feet perspire, creating the perfect conditions for bacteria to multiply.
Keep your feet feeling refreshed with Thursday Plantation’s Foot Spray. The 100% Tea Tree formulation with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties will ensure that your feet are kept feeling and looking fresh after a long run. The great smell also acts as a foot deodorant, maintaining a healthy smell in your footwear allowing you to avoid the embarrassment of smelly feet!

Available from Holland & Barret or Superdrug

 

Strictly Come Dancing Hits Our Screens, Keep Your Feet In Tip Top Shape


 Frost has reviewed some foot products to get your feet in tip top condition as Brucey has dusted off his dancing shoes, fake tan and false eyelashes have been ordered by the truckload and dance classes up and down the country are bursting at their sequinned seams with a new influx of dancing fans. With the show’s rehearsal’s now in full swing, the nation is primed and ready for Strictly fever to hit once again.  
Stars Denise Van Outen and Kimberley Walsh are loving their new roles as dancing diva’s in training, but it seems their string of foot woes has been holding them back in rehersals.
Denise Van Outen has been forced to rehearse barefoot due to extreme blister pain.  Denise says on her blog: “I feel that I’m at a disadvantage this week as my feet are so badly blistered due to dancing in heels, that I can’t even get my shoes on and I’m having to practice barefoot until they heal.” Denise had to don extra high heels in order to dance with her partner, the lovely but very tall James Jordan.  Kimberly Walsh tweeted of her painful feet woes earlier in the week, declaring ”OK so now my feet are really sore #scd.”  And it seems Olympic gold medalist, Victoria Pendelton’s feet aren’t safe either.  Victoria Tweeted from rehearsals yesterday with her professional dance partner Brendan Cole, Victoria admitted: ‘Day 2 feet are so sore!’
With so many tootsie troubles this early on in the competition, Carnation Footcare feel it’s their duty to protect the nation’s feet.  Get bunion to beautiful with these top feet treats….
A luxurious Exfoliating Foot Scrub with apricot seed and walnut shell, perfect for keeping toes in tip top condition ready for their ballroom debut.
This great smelling foot scrub really does the trick, leaving your feet nice and smooth.
 
Cool Foot spray for on the go refreshment.  A sneaky spray will help keep feet dry and comfortable throughout the sweatiest of swing and jive sessions. 
This cooling spray sorts out embarrassing problems like smelly, sweaty feet. A must for dancers on their feet all day. This is a good spray. It does the job.
 
Tip Toes invisible gel cushions, helping to keep your perfectly polished toes looking dance-tastic at all times.
I love these. They are brilliant at helping the burning pain you get in the soles of your feet. It is a lot easier to wear heels with these handy gel cushions.
 
An Anti-Blister Stick, whip this in your training bag and ensure blisters don’t ruin your salsa night or dance class. This clever little device creates a light non-greasy layer on the skin, which eliminates the friction that causes blisters.
This handy stick stops blisters. Which might make it one of the best inventions ever, as nothing is more painful and annoying than blisters on your feet. A must buy if you are on the go all the time.
 
Pedi Roller, use at the end of any dance-off to help banish the achey feet blues.  5 minutes using the Pedi Roller will help ease heel and arch pain associated with prolonged standing and walking.  The ridged design massages tired feet, reducing tension and stimulating circulation. Pedi- Roller can also be used as a cold massage therapy by chilling or freezing before using.
I love this roller. It is easy to use and It really helps your feet after a long day. It is good for cramp too. It eases arch and heel pain.
Carnation’s Hydro Blisters are small dressings which offer rapid blister pain relief and protect from dirt and bacteria.  So there’s no reason to miss a dance class now!
These really helps with blisters. Pop one on and it will stop any painful rubbing and prevent against dirt and bacteria. They make a huge difference.
All these Carnation Footcare products are available from www.carnationfootcare.co.uk