Foot Health After a Half Marathon

Congratulations, you just ran a half marathon! Maybe it was the Cambridge Half Marathon, maybe it was somewhere else, or maybe it just felt like a half marathon! Either way, you can be proud! We recommend you take a moment to consider how your feet are feeling after your race. Here are some foot health issues that commonly occur after a long run such as a half marathon – and what to do about them!  

If your toe is wounded, you should wash and cleanse the area with an antiseptic body wash or neutral soap – and then apply antiseptic. Repeat this process for several days.

If the blister is not too big or does not bother you, it is not advisable to prick it as there is a risk of infection. However, if it is unbearable, you could consider puncturing it and draining the fluid. Take care to use a small needle with antiseptic. Avoid removing the surrounding skin as this acts as a natural shield which helps healing.

If you have one of more bruised toenails after a long run, it is advisable to see a podiatrist who will assess the problem and decide whether it is necessary to remove the nail (in the case of break) or treat the bruise. If the subungual haemtoma cannot be drained, you will need to wait for the new nail to grow, which can take up to year.

If after running half-mrathon, when you take your shoes off, you realise that your toenails have come off, you should wash and cleanse your feet with neutral antiseptic soap , and then use antiseptic spray.  If the toenail has not fallen off completely, it is important to see a podiatrist who may treat the nail and/or recommend specific oils or products to boost nail growth.

If you have a wound on your heel after a long run such as a half marathon, the use of antiseptic spray is recommended to prevent infection. 

If the sole of your foot is excessively red after running, you could use cold-effect cream to reduce the swelling and then apply repairing soothing balm. If you do not have any cream handy, you could rest with your feet elevated, apply ice for 15-20 minutes (be careful not to burn yourself, wrap the ice in a cloth); or by massaging the area.