Things Ultramarathoners Should See A Podiatrist About
As an ultramarathon runner, you are harder on your feet than most people. As such, you may need to be a little more conscientious about your foot care. It is not a bad idea to see a podiatrist at least once or twice during the training buildup before your ultramarathon race. Here are some things you should talk to the podiatrist about and consider having them do for you during this appointment.
Watch Your Gait
The way you land on your feet plays a role in your injury risk. For example, if you land on your heels, you may be more prone to plantar fasciitis than a runner who lands on their forefoot. It's not a bad idea to have your podiatrist watch you run a little and offer some feedback on your gait. They can advise you as to what you should pay attention to with your stride to reduce your injury risk. For example, they may tell you to watch your ankle rotation or try to land more on your forefoot.
Fix Ingrown Nails
If you have any ingrown nails or nails that look like they're on the path towards becoming ingrown, you will want the podiatrist to address them now. This way, they won't become a bigger issue partway through your training or when you're racing. In the early stages, ingrown nails are pretty easy to fix with a proper toenail trim from the podiatrist. You might be sore for a few days, but not much more than that.
Address Large Calluses
To some degree, your calluses probably protect your feet against blisters on your long runs. But if they get too big and misshapen, they can start rubbing on your shoes. A podiatrist will know how to trim them down in a way that is the safest. They'll know how much they can take off without making you prone to blisters. Don't attempt to trim your calluses yourself. If you go too far, you could end up with an infection or really sore feet that take too long to heal.
Take good care of your feet, and they'll keep serving you as you run those trails and roads. If you have a podiatrist do these things for you, then you'll have a lower risk of injury and discomfort during training. Make sure you tell your podiatrist you're an ultrarunner so they can advise you appropriately.
Contact a local foot doctor to learn more.