Went out for a long run last night and about 3 miles in felt a little pop in the ball of my right foot during toe off. It was followed by an almost burning sensation (similar to hot foot) on each toe off and was severe enough to have to stop and walk for about 3/4 mile. I was able to run home but I shortened my stride significantly. No pain at all while walking or doing anything else. Thinking back, I remember my toes being numb for a couple miles prior to this “pop” and over the last 2 weeks, my feet have been abnormally sore after long runs. I am thinking perhaps my shoes do not have enough arch support and I am overstretching a tendon in my foot? I have about 200 miles on these shoes and have used the model before.
Start with new shoes. I’ve watched friends waste money on MRI’s and such without any answers to the problem when half the time new shoes did the trick. Feet change overtime as well as shoe models, hopefully you can find a retailer in your area that laces you up then sends you out on a run before you purchase.
I have experienced the same thing. Losing 25 lbs and arch supports have cleared it up. I partially blame the shoes I was wearing. They just never felt quite right and I went back to my old stand-bys, Asics 20 whatevers.
My wife had similar issue. Fractured the sesamoid bone on the ball of her foot.In some people they are 2 seperate bones, others it is one combined bone. It has been a difficult and nagging injury to get healed. Just throwing out that possibility.
See a foot doc or another medical professional you trust. That is not normal. It may be partially due to the shoes but more often than not it is a change in training or just an overuse injury (too much training for too long). Having good shoes is important but our bodies are great at adapting and getting stronger so shoes are only part of the story. Especially since you have used this model before and only have 200 miles in them. You could take them to a shoe specialist and see if the shoes are made properly. I would check that they bend where they are supposed to bend and are stiff enough through the midfoot.
Have you increased your mileage lately?
Have you done this type of mileage before?
Are you running faster than normal?
Have you changed your gait?
Are you running more hills than usual?
Did you warm up properly?
given that you had numbness in some toes prior to this I would first bet it is a neuroma. this small enlargment on the common digital nerve will sometimes feel as if it “pops” as it moves from between the bones. Not an uncommon problem but certainly an aggrivating one. use of a met pad can definitely male a huge difference. Lyncos makes an insert called the L405 which has a built in met pad and may help. I saw a post above also suggesting a fracuted sesmoid which is also possible if you are talking about under the big toe only. If it is a neuroma be sure your shoes fit well and are wide enough. What shoe are you running in?