So, how many miles have you crossed of your training schedule since the beginning of the year? Maybe 300 miles, 500 miles or, for some of you hardcore runners, I’m guessing in excess of 1000 miles to date. As the weather is warming up, those hardworking feet are starting to slip out of socks and running shoes . . . and those “workhorses” are kinda looking and feeling life hooves. Am I right? You know I am!

Read on to find out How to Get Hardworking Runner Feet Ready for Summer Rest, Recovery & Relaxation (Plus don’t miss the awesome giveaway for a pair of OOFOS which are post-run recovery sandals that I swear by and are ideal for everyday too)!

Ridding Calluses and Cracks: One of the first things I do when getting my runner free ready for flaunting around nearly naked is tend to calluses and heel fissures (cracks). Not only do my runner feet look better, but they feel better. In the winter when I keep my feet covered up all the time, the “rode rough” appearance of my feet is pretty much “out of sight, out of mind,” unless I’m having some sort of pain. To make my hooves prettier, I’ll use a Pedi-Egg foot file (my favorite because it’ catches the “dust”), foot rasp or pumice stone to remove the build-up of dead skin and calluses. I don’t file the calluses completely off though, as they do offer protection while running. For heel cracks and fissures (ouchie) that happen when the feet get really dry, I rub in a foot balm after showering to help create a moisture barrier that helps heal, relieve and repair the dry, cracked foot situation. 

Disguise Damaged Toenails: During sandal-wearing weather, you’ll never see me without my toenails painted (and then I always go paint-free in the winter to give them a break and let them breath).  Not only do I like how festive and fun painted toenails look, it also helps to cover up my nails that are not so attractive . . . either blackened from injury or missing. Lol, I am remembering that time my big toenail fell off while I was getting a haircut . . . the hair dresser was horrified! I just laughed. I feel like runners should be able to put lost toenails under their pillows and wake up to money in the morning (life the whole tooth fairy deal)! I recently learned that if you’ve lost the toenail you CAN paint the exposed skin on the toe bed, as long as it’s not damaged. Or, if it’s a special event, you can use a press-on nail. 

Even Out Tan Lines: Runners, triathletes and other outdoor sport enthusiasts get the most comical tan lines. Those runner feet which are stark white up to that ankles are so funny – but a summer reality unless you are a barefoot runner. I use a self-tanner cream to help even out the stark divide between blinding white and brown. Don’t put the tanner on the soles of your feet (who gets tan there anyway) and be very careful and use a little less when rubbing in around your heels (that thicker skin soaks up a lot of tanner) and toes (gets stuck in crevices and will look splotchy). I just focus on the ankles and gradually blend down the instep of my foot. 

Prevent Blisters: When your new summer feet are looking good, don’t go messing them up with a painful and ugly blister. Obviously, runners are going to keep running in the summer, but heavy sweaters are prone to getting blisters on their feet in hot weather. Of course, make sure shoes are fitting properly along with a good pair of dri-fit socks to move moisture away from your foot. Use creams and anti-chaffing sticks (like Foot Glide) right on your hot spots to prevent blisters during a run. I have blister-prone friends tell me they also use the balms ON TOP of their socks too (not all over but on trigger spots) to help reduce friction inside the shoe. Who knew?!

Wear Recovery Sandals: After running, working out, and just tackling errands and doing your everyday stuff, I recommend wearing sandals made especially for recovery. I love Oofos sandals because they have that casual, cute vibe of flip-flops, but they are NOT flip flops. Traditional flip-flops lack cushioning and arch support and can actually contribute to problems like tendinitis. Most medical professionals tell runners (and others) to avoid wearing flip-flops for this reason — they’re not healthy for your feet. 

However, OOFOS recovery sandals provide impact absorption and arch support typical flip-flops lack, so feet get a chance to recover in between workouts. Thanks to their proprietary OOfoam™ technology, stress is taken off feet and joints, so that athletes can rebuild, recover and feel rejuvenated before the next workout or run. OOfoam fosters natural movement of the foot and helps activate muscles and connective tissues in the feet and legs, helping to strengthen them. OOFOS wearers have also noted pain relief from conditions like plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, neuromas, bunions and hammertoes.

Who would like to WIN a pair of Oofos sandals? So thrilled to be able to give one lucky winner his or her choice of OOFOS from the OOFOS Women’s Collection or OOFOS Men’s Collection. So many stylish recovery sandals to choose from, I wear mine not only after a run or workout, but to the pool, with a undress and everyday summer clothes. Enter through the Rafflecopter instructions below (it ends 11:59 CT on May 15, 2019):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway sponsored by Oofos.com, however all comments, opinions and enthusiasm remain my own. Also, post contains affiliate links. Thank you for visiting.