During IMLP last year, I developed some foot pain during the bike along the outside of my right foot at the proximal part of my 5th metatarsal bone. I hobbled for the first several miles of the run, but it gradually eased. The ART guy at T2 told me that my anterior calf muscles were very tight and this probably contributed.
The pain occurs sporadically during training, but started in earnest at Eagleman this weekend at about mile 6 on the bike. It didn’t cause too much trouble on the run however.
Does anyone have any ideas about any change in bike setup, more specifically on pedal setup? I use Speedplays and have tried moving the cleats inward a bit.
To me it sounds like your cleats aren’t in the right position and your straining your foot when pedaling. A too small shoes size could also contribute to this as well. Most reputable shops will offer a cleat positioning service for a nominal fee, so I would look into that.
Both Peronal Longus and Brevis attach near the base of the fifth metatarsal. These muscles are used to stabilize the ankle while running to prevent a lateral rolling ankle sprain; that is they can force pronation. Are you forcing your legs in to the top tube to try to be more aero? If so, you may be keeping tension in these muscles, which I suppose could lead to tendonitis pain.
Another hypothesis - Are you a supinator? If so, you may be straining these tendon insertions while running, and noticing the pain on the bike just due to the pressure of the shoe, since cycling shoes are often worn with a tighter fit.
What about Q factor? Are you training on a bike with a tripple chain ring and racing on a double. I could see how that could also cause an issue such as this.
So in general, I’d be thinking about the Peroneal’s…