Rowing And Raw Heels

[[old] DMH]

I'm new to rowing (and love it !!) having taken it up after a hip problem stopped my running. The back of my heel is getting rubbed raw against my sneaker and is really interfering. Would anyone have suggestions about how to treat it now and how to avoid having it happen again? I've tried lacing my sneakers tight, loose, high on the ankle and low. I've also tried sliding the rower's foot rest so the strap is higher or lower on the sneaker. I even cut off the back of an old pair of sneakers but my foot kept sliding out!<br><br>I was rowing 6 ten-minute intervals at 36 strokes per minute, 6 days a week and I'd like to get back to that. <br><br>Thank you.

[[old] kimchitom]

I started erging about six months ago. No straps, no shoes, no socks, no problems.<br>Try it after your feet heal. Hope this helps.<br>kimchitom 72/M/Ltwt.

[[old] John Rupp]

I've been rowing barefoot the last 2 years and never have a problem with shoes or my heels.

[[old] GeorgeD]

Hi,<br><br>dont really know the answer but I just wear sneakers and sports socks and used to have the odd problem with one heel but like the blisters on the hands it gradually came right. I think a part of the reason was an improvement in technique as well.<br><br>For me the strap goes across the top of the foot just down from the toes and allows my foot to flex freely at the 'ball' almost as if running.<br><br>It may be a combination of what appears to be a pretty high stroke rate and possibly over compression of your legs causing your foot to over flex and your sneaker heel to be pulled down and rub ??? ... just a thought.

[[old] Paul S]

I use an old, flexible, low-heeled, pair of shoes. They feel a lot better then newer cross-training or walking shoes I have tried.<br><br>Paul S ( Not to be confused with PaulS)

[[old] DMH]

Thank you everyone. I tried rowing without shoes today. It didn't feel quite right but I want to try again when I have more experience. The idea of tieing the strap across the very top of my sneaker worked out very well, cmbined with only lacing the shoe up half way and shortening my stoke a bit. It let me row at 90% of what I did before without any discomfort. It'll heal in a week and I now can see how to keep it from happening again.<br><br>Thanks guys.

[[old] tlsully]

When the US government told us to buy plastic sheathing and duct tape, I did - a whole lot of it. And it's been sitting in my basement ever since - that is, until I started rowing. My heels were torn apart, so I started putting a strip of duct tape on my heels before I started, and I've been fine ever since. Give it a whirl, your heels will thank you for it.

[[old] sockman71]

I had the same problem. I switched to a new pair of shoes and the problem went away. You've probably already tried this, but I wanted to share this just in case you haven't.

[[old] grams]

I row long sessions, and have to wear shoes because I have to use arch supports.<br><br>I use the gel type blister pads that Dr Scholl and others sell on my heels and the smaller pads on my big toes. You can reuse them for quite a while. Just peel them off after a session and let them dry out.<br><br>grams

[[old] Karl1234]

I had an exciting experience whereby I thought I could let the open wound on the back of my heel heal on its own. After the infection went away, three weeks later, I'd learned that festering wounds shouldn't be ignored. I also learned that the plastic+duct tape, or just duct tape were possible solutions. Unfortunately, the glue from the tape built up on my heal, posing a problem.<br><br>The real solution came when I made sure my socks didn't have holes in the heals and I switched from running shoes to indoor soccer shoes with very thing soles and no real cushioning, and a more flexible sole. I also row strapless.<br><br>Thus: tape if need be/ thin or no shoes/ good socks

[[old] PaulS]

<!--QuoteBegin-DMH+Jul 9 2004, 01:30 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> (DMH @ Jul 9 2004, 01:30 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Would anyone have suggestions about how to treat it now and how to avoid having it happen again? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br> Go see the Swing Sling at www.ps-sport.net, your heels will love you for it.<br><br>- Paul Smith (The PaulS)

[[old] Afterburner]

If the duct tape works for you, a quick easy way to keep the glue from building up is to clean it off after your rowing with alcohol swabs. This is simple, effective, and most importantly will help dry out the skin and make it tougher.<br>Hope this helps.<br><br>Heather<br><br>

[[old] lowwall]

I row barefoot using Swing Slings. For short rows (up to 30 minutes), I don't use anything to protect my feet.<br><br>On longer rows, I use a strip of either coach's tape (aka athletic tape) or waterproof adhesive bandage tape on my heels. If I'm doing a long, strapped in row, I'll also put pieces of tape where the straps contact the edges of my foot. In the last 7 days I've rowed 180k, including one marathon, without any foot problems using just bandage tape.<br><br>The bandage tape is more expensive, but holds well enough that I can leave it on for a couple of days.<br><br>Before I got the Swing Slings I covered the plastic heel strap with tape and moleskin, but it wasn't really satisfactory.<br><br>Alex

[[old] RowingDad]

I used vaseline over the holiday challenge and did 500K with no blisters, the prior year i did about 375K without vaseline and had to stop because of the blisters.<br><br>Aside from the challenges, I don't row nearly as much, but it certainly helps with the holiday weight gain.<br><br>Hope it helps.

[[old] John Rupp]

I use duct tape to wrap the straps, and it works very well. <br><br>Plus semi hard rubber on the back of the foot stops. <br><br>I put "nothing" on my heels.<br><br>My highest day is 108 km, barefoot, and no problems.<br><br><br>Karl,<br><br>Do the indoor soccer shoes have rubber soles on them?