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From the best shoes, to tips for getting motivated to the most beautiful runs in the world … running experts Kieran Alger and Sarah Marsh answered your questions
IscoBusquet asks: My first full marathon was a disastrous go at the Bristol to Bath which left me with terrible plantar fasciitis. What are the best ways to mitigate the foot pain?
Sarah: Sorry to hear this. Without knowing your training block, if you got this after a full marathon, I am wondering whether you did too much too soon? One of the most common causes of this sort of pain is a large increase in running load. Regardless, with any more runs it’s worth trying to build up more slowly. Reduce the running volume and also look at getting a pair of trainers that support your feet. You can also do some specific stretches for plantar fasciitis and use certain massage techniques that can help.
Sarah: For chafing I think fit matters more than brand. I always think you need to go smaller on sizing for running leggings or shorts, because a snug fit is often better – snug but not restrictive. For shorts I am a big fan of Lululemon or Sweaty Betty shorts. I am afraid I don’t have any triathlon experience so cannot offer anything more specific on that.
Kieran: I swear by an anti-chafe roll-on oil called 2Toms Sportshield. It’s been my go-to for 15 years and I’ve relied on it for some big adventures like the Marathon Des Sables, my 67-day run across Europe, and for every marathon since 2015. It’s easy to apply (to all the nooks and crannies), I find one application lasts all day and protects all your soft bits.