But keep in mind that the pair that works well in a summer 5-K may not provide the same comfort during a marathon or keep your feet warm in winter. With so many sock options, there's no excuse for wearing the wrong pair. Put Your Thumb on It Massaging your own feet isn't like having someone else do it, but, if done correctly, it's just as effective, and it doesn't cost a dime. To do it right, reflexologist Laura Norman of New York City suggests using moisturizing lotion first. To do this, hold one foot at the toes, heel or ankle, and place the thumb of your other hand on the sole of the held foot.
Some runners are particularly prone to dry feet, which invariably leads to painful cracking feet.
Rub it into the skin until your feet feel soft and smooth. The best time to moisturize your feet, says Stephanie Marlatt Droege, D.P.M., a podiatrist from La Porte, Ind., is immediately after a bath or shower. For those especially prone to blisters, Lowell Weil, D.P.M., a podiatrist in Des Plaines, Ill., suggests using a skin moisturizer or lubricant not only on the skin, but also outside your sock to cut down on the friction that causes blisters. Keep Them Dry Some of you suffer from dry feet, while others suffer from sweaty, wet feet, which makes you more prone to athlete's foot and other fungal problems. Keeping your feet dry isn't easy, as you have approximately 125,000 sweat glands in each foot, and each foot can produce 4 ounces of moisture a day.