Let's Tape That Foot!

Okay...if you're not a foot person, or if you're eating at the moment...this post may not be for you. A few of you have asked me how DO you actually tape the foot for my heel spur? Well, let me attempt to explain. It's an 'Ancient Podiatry Secret' so let's just keep it under wraps between you and me...;-)

1. Start with your foot flexed like so (caveat: don't blame the lighting or lack of fancy nails/skin on this segment. I'm impressed I actually took the photos!)
 2. Wrap 2 pieces of tape around the foot from this side to the other side (look how it wraps in the two above pics)
3. Next, add 4 strips of tape across the bottom of your foot, starting from right above your heel. It starts like above, and ends like below:

4. Finally, you take 2 pieces of tape like below. A shorter piece for the top of your foot, and a second piece to wrap around your foot like so:
5. Sorry, tried to make the last pic rotated correctly. Anyhoots, that's how I apply the shorter piece of tape to the longer piece. Then I wrap this around my foot, right below the base of my toes and front pad of my toe.
And this is how it looks:



I realize I don't have a top foot shot, but you can see where the tape goes around the top of my foot right? Also, on this day I put another piece of tape around my foot to seal up the four strip ends from the bottom of my foot. I often don't do that, but did today (I was going to be standing for 4 hrs for work)


So that's the foot scoop. And I've become a taping Master. I'm like a junkie at the podiatrist' office each week, gettin' my fix of tape, but I don't care. Whatever it takes to make the foot work baby!

Now, the big question is how am I going to do Vineman sans the tape? Don't think i can tape it because it'll just get thrashed in the 1.2 mile swim...any ideas???

Comments

teacherwoman said…
I always wondered how people would tape things when doing triathlons, thinking that the swim would wash away the tape. I am interested in hearing what suggestions people may have.

Great taping directions, btw! :)
Maggs said…
Rock tape is stickier. And the use spray adhesive first. Stays on a long time.
Teamarcia said…
I suppose putting a Wonder Bread bag over the tape job for the swim would be ineffective not to mention look ridiculous...
Marci said…
Hmmm... don't know how you're gonna do the swim at Vineman with the tape!
Christina said…
I'm no expert. But is there any anti-water spray available to repel water during your swim? If not, maybe you have to practice taping your feet with a stop-watch to see how fast you can get that feet wrapped.
Good luck!
Lindsay said…
You got it down!!! I have no water tips for you sorry!!
Jill said…
Hahah, I like Marcia :). Maybe you should ask your dr. if they make a more water-proof type tape for such occasions? Surely there's more souls out there besides you and I who run with bad heels. BTW, will you tape my foot like that in SF?? :) (and where do I get the tape?? Good news, though...I will have insurance come early August - woohooo. You can stop harping on me then to go see the dr. Hahah).
Spray adhesive is called Tuff Skin and it's like glue. Spray the crap out of your foot but let it dry before applying tape. Foot will be sticky all places there is not tape fyi. Also, Maggs is right, Rock tape or Spider Tech tape is stickier (but spider tech is precut, rock tape is not). That should do it! That's what I do to my swimmers before they get in the water but skin must be super dry with no lotion anywhere whatsoever and rub the tape after application to activate adhesive properties and ensure it's sticking like glue!
Sorry I have no suggestions for you but hopefully someone does so you can rock it at Vineman!
Rad Runner said…
Heck ya wrap it! I am all for it! Check out Phiten.com! It is the awesomest!(that is totally a word)
Rad Runner said…
and it sticks pretty darn well!
AM! said…
OOOH! Thank you for all these helpful hints! can't wait to look into all these!
Caratunk Girl said…
Yeah Rock Tape is awesome. Tape it! I like the suggestions you have gotten - test some of them out on a swim/bike transition and see how it goes...even a short swim/bike/run transition to see how it carries through...
Aimee said…
Wow...what a tape job! What about wearing a neoprene booty (the ones people wear when the water is really cold) over your injured foot during the swim? That would keep the water from the tape wouldn't it? Or does water still get in it? I've never worn them, but it may be something to look into??
Unknown said…
Thanks for showing how you tape! Good tips too from others on how to make it stick longer!!
Julie said…
You are a taping queen....getting your tape fix on:) I have no tips for you, sorry.
Unknown said…
All I can say is OW, I had a heel spur once and it hurt like hell. I am so glad that your able to tape and run..... Thanks for leaving the comment on my site ;)

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