8 miles and now a problem

Hi all,

I completed my 8 miles this morning so feeling super proud but also slightly concerned with a niggle I have picked up.

The run consisted of joining together two of my regular routes and started off perfectly. Of late, I have huffed and puffed my way into my rhythm which settles around the 4 km mark. Today was different. I was immediately in a good place at a nice steady pace. So much so that by 3km I was already celebrating my 8 mile victory !!!

Then it all went a bit pear shaped. My legs decided they were aching and by 5km I was in negotiations with The Gremlins. I was almost home. Just stop. Go home. You're not feeling it now are you? The next route has a 3km incline. You don't fancy it do you?

Out of sheer stubborness I turned and started on the incline. Run smart. Slow yourself. Manage your run. All of Coach Bs mantras were driving me forward. By the time I had reached the 8km point I knew I could enjoy some gentle downhills and I would get to the finish.

At 9km Coach B threw in some party tricks 🤪 which helped me get through to 10km but then I started to feel pain - in one of my toes. This quickly increased in pain threshold until I was eventually running the last 2km with a lop sided limp. As I crossed the finish line and began walking the pain increased further still.

There is nothing broken I don't think and there was no incident of note. I suspect that maybe one toe has been crushing the other. My toes are not spaced out but are cramped together (even with no shoes). Does anyone know if there are such things as "toe spacers" or something similar to tile spacers?

I certainly won't be able to run another 8 miles unless I can prevent this from happening so any suggestions would be appreciated folks 😊

[Hidden]

Sounds like a painful run! I know I would have stopped when it started. But my pain threshold is very low. And I know there do exist toe spacers for people whose toes tend to crawl under each other while walking. I just don't know if you can run with such toe spacers. You'll have to look it up in online pharmacies or so. And no, I don't mean those thick spacers used by women to paint their toe nails, haha. I do mean actual medically meant spacers.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh yes. You are right BS. I've just done a Google and found some. Wow! I was thinking about spacing out tiles and we can actually do it to our toes. Amazing. Thank you.

I have my silicon things on next day delivery so hopefully can try out on my next run. Hoorah! 😊

[roseabi in reply to Hidden]

You may find you will need to work up to actually running with toe spacers by just wearing them around the house at first. You may also find your shoes do not have enough room for them, but see how it goes! I have been using toe spacers just at home for a good long while, although for a different problem to yours - I have found them helpful xxx

[Hidden in reply to roseabi]

That is great to hear roseabi. Thank you for sharing.

Hmm! What a great excuse to look for new runners perhaps 😀

(although these were new at Christmas 🤣)

[roseabi in reply to Hidden]

RunWillie runs with toe spacers, maybe she can give you some advice!

[RunWillie Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve got correct toes which are approved for running but I haven’t run in them yet. It’s still too hot here at the moment to add another thing. I wear injinji toe socks and Altra’s for running & correct toes do work with those 👍🏻

[Hidden in reply to RunWillie]

Thank you for that RunWillie. I have just had a look and they look very good. I have clearly purchased a very cheap version in my initial rush post run. Hmmmm!

[GailXrunning]

Oh, no! I do hope you can find a solution to this problem, Hidden That doesn’t sound good. Sending virtual hugs and best wishes for a speedy recovery.I know that foot specialists can design all sorts of bespoke orthotics to spread out metatarsals (and thus toes), for example. That’s not a ‘toe spacer’, but addresses the issues from back in the foot. Just thinking that the solution might not necessarily be where we’d initially expect. Maybe visit a podiatrist for a professional assessment?

[Hidden in reply to GailXrunning]

Hi Gail, I done a Google as BS suggested and came up with some silicon things which may work. Only a few quid so well worth trying.

Hopefully Mrs RfJ won't paint my toenails whilst I try them out 🤣🤣

Mind you, i have to admit I'm now enjoying lying on the couch with my poorly foot up digging into an extra large slice of cheesecake. Oh yes.

I have the pesky post run nibbles again 🤣🤣

[GailXrunning]

Enjoy! I was hoping something similar might return from the shops with M. It didn’t. I think there might be some chocolate in the cupboard, though.Fingers crossed that those silicon things work.

[nowster Graduate10]

Ever thought about getting toe socks? Injinji is a reputable brand.

[nowster Graduate10]

13km (8 miles) is when I discovered I needed fuel for longer runs. My first attempt at that distance left me with rubber legs for about 10 minutes after finishing the run.

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

You are spot on nowster and I have started thinking about how to carry water and fuel following my run. Well actually, I've been stressing about it.

I found today that I really needed a drink and I suspect some fuel. It was getting somewhat uncomfortable and I don't think I could gave gone much further.

Do you have any recommendations? I'm not a "proper" runner so doubt I would need those runner bladder backpack things (well, I've never really seen one in real life so difficult to say )

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I got the cheap £20 backpack from Decathlon which came with a 1 litre bladder. Most of the time I only put 500 ml in it.

Tip: exclude all the air before sealing the top, and it won't make disconcerting sloshing sounds.

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

Thank you for the tip. I think I need to do some more Googling as you were correct about reaching the point where fuel and hydration was required.

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry about the toe situ Hidden , hope getting spaced-out helps! 😉

I too have a Decathlon backpack, bought ludicrously cheap in their sale last year. They also do soft bottles which, dependent on size, can fit into pockets or running belts: decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-s...

Do try on a backpack before buying if you possibly can. I was really lucky that mine fits me well and doesn't rub, except last summer when I stupidly wore it with a racerback vest and didn't realise the pack straps were merrily sandpapering away my skin. Lesson learnt!

[Hidden in reply to Cmoi]

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

Huge thanks for that link Cmoi Those soft water flasks look ideal for my needs. I have to admit though, I feel totally out of my depth now though with all this equipment needed for longer runs.

So much to learn. I've even learned my feet have been damaged through 50 years of incorrectly fitting footwear and I can buy tile spacers for my toes 🤣

This forum is totally invaluable for support and advice as we progress through our running journeys 👏👏

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Congratulations Runforjoy on your longest run yet. 👏🎉🏃🏻‍♂️Overcoming Gremlins and aching legs - well done to you! Coach Bs mantras driving you forward and his party tricks are clearly something I have to look forward to. 😊 But the toe problem and pain level sound pretty bad and you mentioned that there was a possibility of back trouble being the reason that this run may not happen. I do hope that your silicon spacers work wonders.

[Hidden in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you 😊 🙏.

My back held up fine today. Just my sore toe. What a wuss I am 🤣.

Oh I forgot ..... also my thighs, pririformis, calfs, buttocks, hips 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Oh dear! I'm glad that you are laughing. 😊

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Ooo and ouch! Fantastic to run 8 miles but (sorry don't want to nag), perhaps you might havebenefitted from not doing that last few k to save your poor toe!There are toe spacers, or you can get toe running socks too. I hope you recover soon!

[Hidden in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you Roxdog. I have ordered some spacers and just about to search those socks nowster mentioned.

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Oh and when I was running much longer distances, I bought a large waist belt with room for two soft water bottles. Haven't broken it out for a while though!

[Hidden in reply to Roxdog]

I've just followed the link provided by Cmoi and those soft water bottles look ideal. I just need to get a running belt as you mentioned to fit it too. Looks like a trip to Decathlon in the next few days I think. Thank you👍

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Firstly, well done on your long run - that’s a great distance! 👏🙂💪 Hope the toe ‘issue’ gets sorted soon too.

I agree that now sounds like a good time to explore fuel and hydration, especially if you are planning on running further.

My go-to choice is Tailwind. It’s a powder which you add to water so it’s hydration and fuel combined! 🙂👍 Link to their website below and you can also buy it via Amazon.

Good luck!🙂

tailwindnutrition.co.uk/

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandraj39. This running malarkey is starting to go to a new level as distances increase. Lots of food for thought (or nutrition and hydration 😉).

That Tailwind drink does look like a good option. Thank you.

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate10]

Well done on the 8 miles. I hope the toe pain is temporary 🤞🏼💐

[Hidden in reply to DylanTheRabbit]

Thank you DtR.I have a self made spacer from cotton pads and tape in place at moment 😁

It at least makes walking less painful at the moment 👍