Heat Training and Blister Woes

I am doing White Lake Half in 6 days. That race is known for it’s super hot run course. Since it’s an early season race, most athletes are not yet heat acclimated, so it’s a tough day. We have not had super hot sunny days for training, so I have been wearing extra layers of clothing during my runs to prepare.  I am really hoping for a hot day at the races next weekend, because it will play to my advantage.  Looks like I might get my wish…

I did a heat training brick workout yesterday. I rode 43 miles and then ran 6, all while wearing a base layer t-shirt, a long sleeve black fleece pullover, and a fleece vest. On the bike, I also wore my bike jersey. I felt very hot and uncomfortable on the bike, but it did not slow me down. I had a great ride, averaging 18mph on a hilly course in top of Zone 2. That’s really great pace for me – I usually average 16mph – so maybe that bike fit helped. My Butt still hurts alot while riding, so I need to figure that out. That will have to wait until after my race, because at this point, the muscles of my legs have adapted to the new fit, so I should not make any changes. I will just have to keep htfu’ing thru the butt pain.

I felt very hot on the run too, but it was not uncomfortable because I am now acclimated to the heat. Yay! However, I did have some blister woes. I wore my Zoot compression sock on my left leg for the entire brick workout. That is the leg I have circulation problems in.    For my brick workout, I practiced running into T1, and putting on the Zoot sock on my left foot, and a regular sock on my right foot.    As I wrote earlier, the Zoot socks cause blisters on my toes during longer runs, but I thought during the 13 miles race next weekend, I would be fine.   But, I wasn’t fine even during today’s 6 miler,  perhaps because of the heat training!   Anyhow, I am now sporting a huge painful blister on the big toe of my left foot.

I have 9 mile run planned for today. I popped the blister and am going to wear my injinji toe socks, with the Zoot compression sock over top of the left foot. I hope it works!     The toe socks are really great for preventing blisters.  And they are surprisingly comfortable.

Unfortunately, the injinji Compression toe sock doesn’t have good compression, or esle that would be my perfect solution.  I think I am going to buy some CEP compression socks.  They have a 30 day money back guarantee, and they claim to be good for use during running and they have moisture management.   I don’t think I will get them in time for White Lake Half.  So I’m not sure what to do for next weekend.  I may end up using the Zensah calf sleeve even if they do dig in at the knee.   I need something to keep blood going in that leg!

Some further notes about the Zoot Compression socks.   Don’t get me wrong – I love them.    They are great for recovery and light activity and even cycling – I don’t ever get blisters while cycling in them.  They have held up well for over a year, through many washings.   I typically air try them, but sometimes I forget and put them in the dryer, and they have held up great.  No holes, shrinkage, runs, or any material degradation.    They are equivalent in function to medical grade stockings, but they hold up way better and are much cooler looking.   If I had a job where I was on my feet all day, I would wear them.    They just aren’t good for running more than an hour due to blisters.