If I was outside on a warm day I would initially feel a light tingling sensation in my right big toe. This was the precursor to the flare, if I can could get inside in a cool area and elevate, I can keep the flare at bay, if not, then it’ll progress to erythema, swelling etc… Upon removing my socks, I’d see tiny sweat droplets on the area that was tingling. There was trauma to this area in the past, initially due to an ingrown toenail and it’s eventual removal. (multiple times)
Considering most of our situations are unique, I describe my right toe further in this thread: My Steady Improvement
As far as athletic training goes, about 6 years ago I was in peak physical shape. I worked out 6 days a week (weights, high interval training etc…), never even heard of EM. Then I got a job in NYC, no longer had time for hobbies and eventually EM surfaced. If I recall correctly, carter and joeshoe were big into training before their EM started, just a trend I noticed.