If you are a regular visitor to How Many Miles you will appreciate that I am a sharer. No facet of my life is off limits and in blogs like “All the Bad Things” , I can be accused of over sharing.
So, for those of a nervous disposition, this blog post serves as a warning. And for any podophiles among you it’s an open invitation, although I might cure you of your fetish.
For, over the next few weeks, I am going to be posting regular updates about my feet and explain why we need to remember that we have our feet for life. I can almost anticipate how viral this post is going to be.
My feet have, for too long, been forgotten foot soldiers in my battle against inactivity and obesity.
They have stood strong when I placed upon them the heavy burden of carrying my obese frame and they have marched on when I have been close to lying down in the face of adversity.
Howmanymiles has been a personal challenge to my feet. One they never asked for, but one they were beautifully designed for.
Our feet are mechanical marvels, each made up of 26 bones and over 100 ligaments, tendons and muscles. They connect us to the earth and they act as shock absorbers and stabilisers. Without them, we would be grounded.
Yet, we do not give them the respect and care that they so richly deserve. We often ignore pain in our feet and as a Paths For All Step Count Champion and runner (hopefully not ex runner), I can recall boasting about how badly I have mistreated my feet. Black or missing toenails after a long hike or run are badges of honour and blisters are looked upon with annoyance and as an acceptable consequence of “breaking in” our latest pair of highly cushioned shoes. We think that we are protecting our feet, but the blisters should be a warning.
I hate to burst people’s bubbles, but we need to take more notice of our feet and take much more care of our feet. Philosopher Socrates once said: “To him whose feet hurt everything hurts.”
Give your feet a treat and walk to your nearest podiatrist. #letsgetscotlandwalking #feetforlife #stepintoaction
Over the years my feet have hurt from everything that I have thrown at them (including the marathon that I seldom mention) and at this point in my life, I have finally realised that many of my problems with my knees, might be related to my feet. After all dem foot bones are connected to the leg bones (feel free to sing along..Dem bones, dem bones).
I have suffered from plantar fasciitis, over-pronation and fallen arches. My phalanges are lifeless and have no individuality. They act as one, when instead I should be able to move them independently. To an extent.
My feet aren’t even pretty to look at. They are calloused, cracked, dry and my toenails are deformed.
I am probably even carrying a fungal infection. My chances of becoming a foot model are slim. Unless, that is, they are feetured (I couldn’t resist) as the Feet for Life “before” example. At this point, you will be relieved to learn that there is no photographic evidence being presented.
Luckily for me (but maybe not the podiatrist), June is Feet for Life month and I will be working with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow’s Faculty of Podiatric Medicine and the London Based College of Podiatry on their Feet For Life campaign to encourage more of us to consider our feet as part of our efforts to #sitlessmovemore
As part of the campaign, you can get a Feet for Life health check at these participating locations and over the next few weeks you can follow my progress and learn more about foot health and how you can Step into Action.
I’ll be seeing a podiatrist, trying Toega (Yoga for toes) and trying my hand (or is that foot?) at bare foot running among other things. It will be some feat to repair my feet but it will be worth it.
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm – Abraham Lincoln
