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First, a correction - I was 65, not 60, in early 2005.

I had a LOT of trouble getting started. I wore prescription “diabetic shoes with accommodative inserts” to prevent blisters and other such problems with my feet, but just the initial, minimal treadmill walking quickly wore the soft lining out of them. I got a new pair of “diabetic walking shoes,” but they were no better - for the same reason. And after just a few weeks, not only were the linings worn, but I was developing layers of blisters on the ball of both feet, as well as where the lining was worn and on 4 toes.

I would find the blisters only when I examined my feet, because I could NOT feel them. I saw a Orthopedic Dr, who told me that If I kept doing this I would soon be doing it on prosthetic feet - and gave me a new prescription for the same kind of shoes. I also saw a podiatrist, who gave me the same grim prediction - and prescription. And I also saw 3 different PEDORTHISTS - people who actually make the inserts.

The last one told me to visit a running shoe store and get running shoes with adequate soft lining, the best shock absorbtion I could find, and enough room to accept the diabetic inserts I needed. He recommended “Fleet Feet” because they actually put me on a treadmill in the store and took a movie of my feet.

Turned out I needed a LOT of support, as well, and that Nike “Structure II” was what I needed, along with “Balgo” sox, that NEVER wrinkle. I also needed a thin Spenco insole over the inserts, because the bare inserts would not allow the sox to slip - so they would wrinkle.

Not a single blister since then, and I have already told the rest of the story.