So, long battle with foot pain and looking for some advice, hopefully someone has experienced the same.
History – no significant problems prior to experiencing shin splints which took 6-9 months to fully clear-up. During this time I switched from a heel striker to a more forefoot style, mainly as a result of trying out some barefoot running on grass, also using Vibrams on the road. These seemed to help with the shin splints (along with physio and acupuncture) so I maintained this style.
Problem with ‘hot-foot’ first occurred during a 70.3, 1.5 mile into the run off a hilly bike course which I pushed really hard. It felt like someone was holding a blow torch to the sole of my feet, hence, I guess, where the term hot-foot comes from!
I’ve been to a couple of podiatrists, had custom orthotics, MRI, steroid injections, various trainers (Brooks, On Clouds, Hokas etc), but I still suffer from some numbness and mild pain in 2nd and 3rd toes & ball of foot after about 6-7 miles. I’m more of a mid-striker now.
Latest trip to podiatrist has resulted in him using some felt on the orthotics (not the custom ones as I found a pair on Amazon that are comfier and 10% of the cost of the custom ones) to spread out the load on the foot a bit better which seemed sensible, some improvement but 8-9 miles I can feel the numbness and pain coming.
I do think this is linked to the bike and tight calves, possibly hamstrings. I foam roll before and after running (this has helped a bit suggesting it is calf related) and stretch throughout the week, but probably nowhere near as much as I should. I also feel some minor numbness when on the bike, G8 variable insoles have cured most of this, but I still feel it on longer / harder rides.
I think (although have never really been diagnosed) I have Morton’s neuroma / Metatarsalgia as the symptoms and foot type (high arch, long 2nd toes) are very similar.
Have read different things on here ref wearing racing flats, or super cushioned, use orthotics / avoid orthotics, so am totally confused on what direction to go.
I’ve my first IM race this year so at this stage I will try anything!!
Hit me with recommendations / opinions on running style, trainers, stretching etc…..
History – no significant problems prior to experiencing shin splints which took 6-9 months to fully clear-up. During this time I switched from a heel striker to a more forefoot style, mainly as a result of trying out some barefoot running on grass, also using Vibrams on the road. These seemed to help with the shin splints (along with physio and acupuncture) so I maintained this style.
Problem with ‘hot-foot’ first occurred during a 70.3, 1.5 mile into the run off a hilly bike course which I pushed really hard. It felt like someone was holding a blow torch to the sole of my feet, hence, I guess, where the term hot-foot comes from!
I’ve been to a couple of podiatrists, had custom orthotics, MRI, steroid injections, various trainers (Brooks, On Clouds, Hokas etc), but I still suffer from some numbness and mild pain in 2nd and 3rd toes & ball of foot after about 6-7 miles. I’m more of a mid-striker now.
Latest trip to podiatrist has resulted in him using some felt on the orthotics (not the custom ones as I found a pair on Amazon that are comfier and 10% of the cost of the custom ones) to spread out the load on the foot a bit better which seemed sensible, some improvement but 8-9 miles I can feel the numbness and pain coming.
I do think this is linked to the bike and tight calves, possibly hamstrings. I foam roll before and after running (this has helped a bit suggesting it is calf related) and stretch throughout the week, but probably nowhere near as much as I should. I also feel some minor numbness when on the bike, G8 variable insoles have cured most of this, but I still feel it on longer / harder rides.
I think (although have never really been diagnosed) I have Morton’s neuroma / Metatarsalgia as the symptoms and foot type (high arch, long 2nd toes) are very similar.
Have read different things on here ref wearing racing flats, or super cushioned, use orthotics / avoid orthotics, so am totally confused on what direction to go.
I’ve my first IM race this year so at this stage I will try anything!!
Hit me with recommendations / opinions on running style, trainers, stretching etc…..