Relieving Pain on the Go with #WellAtWalgreens

Monday, March 31, 2014
"I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its client. All health related suggestions and opinions expressed in this post are all my own" #CollectiveBias

I got my first official running injury in January. Ironically enough, it started with small blisters I got from walking around Disney. The little annoyances became a severe problem after continuous days of pounding the pavement during runDisney 'Dopey Challenge', a four day event equaling 48.6 miles (5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon, Full Marathon). My mom and I went to 4 different stores in Orlando searching for Moleskin, the only thing I knew that could help relieving the pain and uncomfort at this point. Apparently the 25,000+ other runners in town purchased all the Moleskin to be found. During the full marathon on day 4, around mile 8, I knew something was wrong - more severe than blisters. Instead of stopping at the medical tent, I pushed on. Around mile 20, it hurt more to walk than run, so I wobbled those final 6.2 miles to the finish line. The moment I finished, I had one thing in mind - find the medic tent. I was instructed to go see my PCP the next morning.  The next day, my foot had doubled in size and those blisters turned into a bacterial infection called cellulitus, a diffuse inflammation of connective tissue.
We spent more time in and out of Walgreens during the Dopey Challenge weekend. If you have ever spent a weekend at Disney, you are aware of the time it takes to navigate around the property. I vowed to myself right then and there that I wouldn't go to another out of town event without an on the go active kit.
A key component for an on the go active kit for runners is Acetaminophen for relieving pain. This is the only over the counter drug handed out during a half marathon or full marathon at the medic tent. Instead of wasting time at a tent, I run with two 500mg Well at Walgreens Extra Strength fast release quick gels in my running belt. I also take one before I go to bed the night before a long distance event. Six hours post race, I will take a NSAID to reduce swelling.
After what I went through in January, I will never ever go out of town without moleskin again. I literally stocked up on this stuff at Walgreens after returning home from the Dopey Challenge. Of course, murphy's law, I have not had a blister since January. Other important items are non-latex bandages - If you are anything like me, you always need a bandage while traveling. Muscle & joint gel is another item I do not leave home without. One that is greaseless with a vanishing scent is always preferred. Finally an anti-itch cream - I have very sensitive skin and break into hives very easily. This helps me with skin allergy issues.

In good news, I did survive the Dopey Challenge and came home with 6 brand new medals that weekend (3 of the 6 shown in the photo above). I also have been able to continue running but have to keep close attention to my toes.

With the upcoming wedding and trying to save for a house, we are cutting costs everywhere you look. One thing that I started a few months ago was purchasing private label products from stores. For the most part, I wouldn't know the difference if I didn't see the packaging. #WellAtWalgreens has an amazing lineup of products available and are pharmacy recommended - plus by purchasing one of these private label products will give back to your community and I am all about that. Walgreens Way to Well Commitment - Beginning February 1, 2011 through December 31, 2014, 1¢ from the purchase of every Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness product, up to $3 million annually, will support bringing preventative wellness services to local communities through the Walgreens Way to Well Commitment®.

Do you have a travel wellness kit? If so, what is inside of it?

2 comments

  1. Oh yeah baby...pre-diabetes our kit had aspirin, tummy meds, neosporian, alcohol, band aids, gauze, KTape,,etc...now our kits has to be even bigger cause of all my needles and meds... Always travel with meds though...

    xoxo from Trinidad

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  2. Oh, wow. Never knew that could happen. I generally try to ignore those pesky blisters. Glad you are all set and sounds like your kit is now well stocked. #client

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