How do you prevent sore feet when figure skating?

Question

I've got good skates (Riedells) and have been taking lessons (ISI levels) for a year now. I'm currently working on FS2, and skate about 45 mins/week. No matter what I do, my feet ache within 15 mins of hitting the ice, despite the skates being completely broke in and causing no blisters. I can't figure out if it's the cold (even though I skate indoors), or if the aching is because of the complexity of the footwork, spins, jumps, and turns that's causing it. Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

It could possibly be your arches.  I had borderline flat feet . . . and my feet used to ache too.  But then I made it a point to massage my feet before I put my boots on - as a part of my "warm up".  I massaged them when I took them off too.  For me, that seemed to work.  

It is possible that it could be aching from working on harder moves now.  Besides "massage", maybe working on feet stretches and exercises off the ice would help - here's just one site for ideas:  http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/A...    

I've had friends with arch problems (some high, some low like me) but their pain was severe enough that they had their foot looked at.  They had orthodics put in (many times custom ones) their skates to support their arches.  And there are those who have Plantar Fasciitis http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/pl...  If you feel like it's getting worse, it's always best to go see a doctor.  

Best of luck . . . hope your feet feel better!

Answer 2

I have the same problem! I also have very good skates, and I am also in ISI [i'm in Delta] and after maybe 10 minutes of being on, they start hurting alot. I think it might be because the inside of the ice skate is straight and has no real support on the bottom [like no cushing, as in sneakers or running shoes.] I have 2 things that help. but you can't do both. Either one works, or the other.

1. Walk around for an hour before you class in a very good pair of running shoes, that have cushing and everything.

or

2. Walk around in your ice skates 15 minutes before lessons so that your feet get used to it.

I would suggest trying number 2 if you don't have a good pair of running shoes right now because if you buy them and it doesn't work,, thats money down the drain.

((Just for a tip, I walk around in running shoes all day at school before lessons and then 15 minutes before lessons at the rink I walk around in my skates.))

OORRR...

I hope that helps, oh and another reasons why it might hurt because you might have weak ankles like me. I haven't done this yet, but I am planning to in the next week or so, get a "ankle guard/brace". It just wraps around your ankle and it makes it stronger and gives more support. But only do that if you have weak ankles. If you don't know if you do or don't try it, and if your foot feels better do that.

And just to tell you, if you don't already know. NEVER wear socks when figure skating. Wear tights that go over your foot [not boot] and then wear your boots over that. Socks are more thick so they tend to hurt more.

And if you think your problem if because of the cold, wear some leg warmers over your skates.

Answer 3

ice them use a heatign pad on them too

Answer 4

you can put ice on it then soak them in hot water=]

Answer 5

well there's no real way to get rid of it.  I am working on double axels, triple salchows, and triple loops.  My feet aren't getting sore though.  I also have reidells.  well my coach told me that when she skated one of her friend's feet would hurt and she soaked her feet in cold water right after she skated.