Fixing Your Feet: Injury Prevention and Treatments for Athletes

by John Vonhof

Take Care of Your Feet!Your feet take a beating with every step. Don’t wait until foot pain inhibits your speed, strength, and style. Learn the basics and the finer points of foot care before pain becomes a problem. Foot expert and ultrarunner John Vonhof shares how the interplay of anatomy, biomechanics, and footwear can lead to happy—or hurting—feet. Fixing Your Feet covers all that you need to know to care for your feet, now and hundreds of miles down the road.

BOOK FEATURES

Tried-and-true methods of foot care from numerous experts, plus tips and anecdotes about recovery and trainingInformation about hundreds of foot-care products for nearly every foot ailmentHigh-interest topics such as “Barefoot & Minimalist Footwear,” “Blister Prevention,” and “Providing Foot Care for Athletes”Covers both individual foot care and team care“From heels to toes, products to pathology, resources to rehabilitation, this book has it all. An essential guide.”—Runner’s World

“After more than 25 years of treating feet and reading about treating feet, I’ve found nothing, absolutely nothing, as helpful as Fixing Your Feet.—Buck Tilton, MS, cofounder of the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS and author of many books on outdoor health and safety

Genres: Nonfiction, Outdoors, Health, Fitness

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2016

Reviews

[Taylor Field · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really great information, but I wish it wasn't geared entirely toward ultrarunners (the shortest race discussed is a marathon, if I'm not mistaken). Vonhof provides, in detail, the necessity of taking care of your feet as an athlete, so it is a downfall that the book is not as accessible to runners who dedicate themselves to shorter distances. This brings me to my second issue with this otherwise helpful guide: Vonhof's attitude. In the very beginning his reaction to someone's mistake is, "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!" Although I can see where he's coming from, I don't think an informational book meant to educate is a place for judgment of someone who, quite frankly, just may not have known better. Not much aggravates me more than the elitist mentality that is seen so often in the running community, so this was a turn off for me. That said, I did learn a lot, and my feet are grateful for the effort Vonhof has made to share his knowledge of foot care.

[Ki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just hope the tricks work while walking in the UK.

[Julie]

This book is certainly a comprehensive guide if that’s what you need. Very useful.

[Sadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feet absolutely shredded this marathon block 😭😭 this book was super informative. Particularly needed the blister chapter today 💀

[Walter Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been hiking and backpacking for over fifty years and I learned a lot from this book. I read most of it, but you don't have to. The author recommends getting the basics, then skipping around to the stuff you need to know.

[AJW · Rating 4 out of 5]

When preparing for my first multi-day ultramarathon, several people recommended reading 'Fixing Your Feet'. It's very comprehensive textbook on feet care.

I found it hard going. Firstly, I'm a bit squeamish and the descriptions of the many different and painful ways athletes could damage their feet made me queasy. There's some gruesome photos as well! Secondly, it's a textbook and rather dry reading. I could only read one or two chapters at a time. But author knows that and gives recommended reading order, so you can focus on the chapters that most interest you.

I only managed to read about half of it before doing the Winter Spine Challenger South, an 108 mile ultra along the Pennine Way. I'm pleased to say that the knowledge gleaned from this book meant that I didn't get a blister.

I'm now preparing to do the Summer Spine Challenger South and have finally finished reading the entire book. I learnt about various foot problems that I have never heard of before. But I do feel properly prepared.

I will now join the chorus of walkers, through-hikers, and ultramarathon runners saying that this book is a must-read.

[Genene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, this is what I do, right? Every day at work, someone asks for a size 8 only to measure a 8.5 and 9 and walk out with a 9.5 and understand how their too small shoes contribute to lost toenails, plantar fasciitis, and maybe compression in their lower back. So, I thought I'd refresh my training by reading deeper ... and, honestly, god bless my training. Because it's this, all of it. And that includes why we measure feet every time, the old-school way, and why buying shoes is really a way to solve problems and puzzles and help others find their way out of pain into lives they want to live.

I highly recommend this for runners, former runners, neighborhood and dog walkers, people who work on their feet all day or wear steel-toed boots, or hike the Camino, attempt Everest Base Camp, scale Mount Kilimanjaro, trek the Highlands, approach Half Dome or simply can't understand why Brooks put pressure on their knees or back or why zero-drop Altras shoes relieve pressure, long-term, rather than immediately when their Achilles tendonitis is on fire.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book for anyone who cares about their feet! As an athlete, hiker, and former EMT I found so much useful information that I couldn't put it down. John Vonhof passes along his many decades of experience tending thousands of feet at some of the most extreme events around. I was amazed at not only the number of techniques presented, but the science behind the causes, which helps to understand how to prevent many injuries. I highly recommend making this book part of your training program -- it's well-worth the modest investment.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

FIXING UR FEET
Half the book is ads selling stuff to you??

But at least he gives practical advice like how to actually lance your blisters. Whereas anything on google will just say “go see a medical professional”.

[Trung Nguyen Dang · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive reference guide on running-related issues to the feet. Actually, most of the book is on blister, the most popular problem with ultra running.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of great information and illustrations on how to prevent hurting your feet. The blister section and how to tape is very useful for runners.

[Zach Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An invaluable resource. Great as a reference, but not necessary to read the whole thing cover to cover. Read the first few chapters, then pick and choose what you need.

[Johann Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitive. Useful for athletes and military service members alike.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

the classic book about how to care for your feet.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall excellent book that covers all the angles of foot care for walkers, hikers, and runners. This belongs on the reference shelf of all athletes.

[Kevin Zuech · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having numerous blisters during ultramarathons a friend recommended this book. It gave me all types of ideas to try to alleviate some issues and since reading this book I haven't had a single blister after doing numerous ultramarathons. I have even been able to help others with blister issues. It helps you learn about prevention and treatment. It covers different products. It also covers different foot issues other than blisters.