(And How We Learned to Stop Rubbing Our Feet Raw)
No, running was NOT invented by Thomas Running in 1748 despite the online meme myth. There’s a prime example of why you really shouldn’t believe any old c*** you read on the internet (without checking the sources).
Running wasn’t “invented”. It’s one of the most natural things a human can do. We’re perfectly evolved for running, and it’s deeply tied to our origins as humans. It began as a necessity for survival (think chasing food or running away from predators). Now, most of us only need to run down to the local shop for our dinner, and the most dangerous (animal) predators have long ago been killed off. And so in the modern world, running has become a sport, a global pastime, a way to stay fit, lose weight, to feel and be healthy… rather than a necessary survival skill.
But while humans have pretty much always been on the move, the way we care for runners' feet has undergone a serious glow-up through the millennia. Strap in (or lace up), because we’re about to take you on a historical jog (or sprint—your pace, your race).
The Origins of Running: A Timeline
Anthropologists believe early Homo erectus ran as part of “persistence hunting,” where humans would literally chase prey until it dropped from exhaustion. Or until we dropped from exhaustion.
After we started moving away from hunter-gatherer style societies, we stopped needing to run for food. But we were still suffering from running accidents…
Fast forward to
490 BCE: The First Marathon Disaster
Hemerodromoi (day-runners) or dromokerykes (runner heralds) were people who worked as specialised messengers in ancient Greece and were renowned for their amazing endurance.
Carrying news about events across the Greek world and sending important messages was pretty important in a world with limited roads and pre-postal systems. When someone said “Hermes,” you wouldn’t think of the worldwide courier we know today; you’d think of Hermes, the Greek God who ran messages all over the world on his famous wing-adorned sandals. They trained hard to be the best and the fastest they could be. After all, fast and reliable communication could change the course of a political outcome or military battle; Not really something you want to arrive second to.
In 490 BCE, renowned Greek courier Pheidippides ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce a military victory… then dropped dead after delivering his message. Why someone couldn’t have found these guys a horse is anyone’s guess.
Lesson learned: Hydration and foot care matter (RIP Pheidippides). There’s actually a 2016 film called The Road to Sparta about athletes trying to recreate Pheidippides' journey (minus the death bit).
776 BC: Running Becomes a Competitive Sport
776 BC, when the first recorded Olympic Games in ancient Greece set running on its competitive trajectory. The stadion race—192 meters of pure, sweaty glory—was a highlight of the games. Back then, athletes ran barefoot, relying on nothing but the strength of their callused feet and sheer willpower.
1896: First Inaugural Modern Games in Athens
The first modern Olympic Games are held, with races from the 100 metres (aka the glory hoggers) to the 1,500. AND the first ever competitive marathon won by Greek soldier Spyridon Louis, who started his career as a water courier, in a nice little link to our original Pheidippides. Athletes did wear simple leather shoes with some added spikes on the sole for grip.
Since then, sportswear and footcare, as well as dedicated training and diets for athletes, have transformed the competitive running space. Running isn’t just something you do as a necessity or as a means to an end. It’s something you do to feel good in your mind and body and for sport. You can even make a career out of it, if you’re good enough!
Foot Care Then and Now
Ancient Foot Care
For centuries, foot care was basic, to say the least. Between long hours of marching, running, or farming, most people’s “routine” involved soaking tired feet in water to soften them. If you were fancy enough to own olive oil (hello, ancient Greece), you might rub it on your skin for extra softness and to reduce muscle fatigue.
Enter the Modern Era
Fast forward to now, and oh boy, have things changed. Some shoes have more tech than the average smartwatch. But beyond that, foot care itself is an industry. Your feet are no longer just appendages—they’re performance machines, and they deserve serious TLC.
That’s where we come in. At The Feets, we make skin-friendly, chemical-free products inspired by the very misery (and triumphs) of runners who’ve come before us. Here’s how modern foot care can make every stride count.
How Technology and Ingredients Have Changed the Game
You’re running a story that started with survival, became sport, and now blends science with style. Your foot care deserves the same evolution—meaning natural solutions that work as hard as your feet do.
Preventing Chafing and Blisters
Remember those long-distance chases back in the Stone Age? If ancient humans had access to something like our Chafe Guard anti-chafe balm, life would’ve been a lot less… painful. This natural balm creates a barrier between your skin and whatever’s rubbing against it, preventing blisters where friction likes to strike—think your toes, heels, and that one spot on the back of your ankle that’s always out to get you.
Not only is it free of sketchy chemicals, but it’s also packed with natural ingredients that soothe irritated skin, making it the ultimate sidekick for runners of all levels. Seriously, why suffer through a half-marathon with raw, angry feet when you could glide through blister-free?
Soothe Tired Muscles
Running may be great for your cardiovascular health—and ego—but your muscles definitely have opinions about it the next day. Enter our all-natural muscle rub, designed to ease post-run aches. Packed with science-backed ingredients (and zero fillers), it targets inflammation, restores moisture, and leaves your feet (and legs, and everywhere else) feeling ready for the next challenge—or at least the next trip to the fridge.
The Power of Natural, Skin-Friendly Ingredients
Unlike the foot care of yesteryear, we focus on skin-friendly, chemical-free formulations that really work. Why? Because you shouldn’t have to choose between effective care and health-conscious choices. From cracked heel cream to athlete's foot powder, we're keeping it all-natural without compromising on effectiveness.
What’s next for the history of running? Who knows? But one thing’s for sure—whether you’re a casual jogger or a medal-chasing speedster, your feet deserve the best. Treat them kindly, and they’ll carry you further than you can imagine.
Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re off for a quick run.
