Need Ideas For Cold Feet

[jusdooit]

I was thinking about this early this morning, and wondered if any one had tried using embrocation on their feet?

[OakLeaf]

Doesn't that open the pores and bring blood to the surface, so while it may make you feel warmer for a short time, it actually makes you colder? (Drinking alcohol does the same thing. )

[gnat23]

I was thinking about this early this morning, and wondered if any one had tried using embrocation on their feet?

So, I was on a Western Spirit mountain biking trip up in the Middle Of Nowhere, North Dakota. I had my brand new container of Mad Alchemy, medium strength. I tend to get cold feet really easily, so for the night of camping, I decided to give it a try. I took a fingerfull and rubbed it into my soles, heels, between the toes, up to the ankles. I slipped on a pair of fuzzy socks, hoping for a callus softening side-effect, and dozed off.

About 1am, I scrambled out of my sleeping bag, ripped off the socks and started clawing at my feet. My toes felt as though each one had become a branding iron. I was blowing on them, trying to wipe away any residual goo (long since absorbed), fanning both feet... nothing seemed to alleviate the pain. I can't remember how long it took before I at least stopped writhing around enough to fall back asleep.

The next day on beautiful singletrack in the Badlands, still sleep-deprived, my toes would randomly flare back up. Usually when we were standing around, so I kept hopping back and forth and kicking the ground to generate enough wind through the canvas of my shoes, begging to get back to pedaling.

This isn't like WOAH I'M SWEATING BETTER TURN IT DOWN heat, this was really painful and stinging, like grabbing the cookiesheet without a pot holder. I've used the same embro since, on my knees and glutes before a 40degF cyclocross race, and had none of these side effects. Which might have been that I learned my lesson and didn't put on so much? or maybe just the sensitivity of the feet? ventilation? I honestly couldn't tell you: I haven't tried it again, even for SCIENCE.

-- gnat (Long story short: not unless you're ABSOLUTELY sure of what you're doing -- that stuff does NOT have an OFF switch)

[pll]

A lot of embrocations have capsaicin, the hot stuff in chili peppers. Regular capsaicin from chili peppers is soluble in oil or alcohol... I assume that might work with embrocation, too? (alcohol is easier to rinse afterwards).

Yikes, gnat!

ETA: My knees have burned (similar to what you describe) in the shower after using embrocation. I think water activates it... so you might have been sweating. Yikes.

[jusdooit]

Well it sounds like this is one experiment I won't need to try.
Pll, everything I've reaad about using embrocation says to remove it prior to showering. Even saw someplace that sold a seperate soap for removal. Might want to try washing it off with cool water before showering.
Thanks for the responses to the voices in my head.

[pll]

Pll, everything I've reaad about using embrocation says to remove it prior to showering. Even saw someplace that sold a seperate soap for removal. Might want to try washing it off with cool water before showering.

It's not so serious or annoying on the knees as it would be on your feet and hands... more superficial nerves running around those areas! I use sparingly, just around the knees (not the entire leg), and scrub it away in the shower with soap, but I have felt the intense heat she described.