Feet going to sleep while running- any advice?

[Lizzyp44]

Hello runners!

I’ve been managing to run 5k for a few weeks, but have been having a problem recently with foot numbness. After about 4k my feet start to go to sleep and this gets progressively worse until they feel completely dead.

The feeling in my feet tends to come back as soon as I take my trainers off and I had read that tight shoes are a common cause of the problem, so I’ve been trying to keep them looser, it’s still persisting though. I’ve also splashed out on some decent shoes which I had a gait assessment for and done some calf stretches to try and solve the problem but nothing seems to be helping.

I’d be very grateful for any other ideas or suggestions because I’d started to enjoy running and was otherwise noticing improvements, but this is really starting to hold me back.

Thanks in advance!

Lizzy

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I wonder if 'locking laces' which are elastic might help? I love them.

[Lizzyp44 in reply to GoogleMe]

Sounds like a good idea, thanks, i’ll give them a try!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Are your running shoes a larger size than your normal shoes?

Most people's feet swell when running meaning the need for shoes up to two sizes larger than normal.

[Lizzyp44 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Hi, they are my normal shoe size, but I got them from a specialist running shop so had trusted that they knew what they were doing. I’m wondering now though whether it’s worth going back to them and asking whether the shoes could be the problem.

[Bumblebetty Graduate]

I get this with my right foot sometimes but if I’ve spent a bit of time really making sure my laces are nice and loose then it doesn’t happen.

[Lizzyp44 in reply to Bumblebetty]

Okay, thanks. I’m going out for a run in a minute, I will keep my laces extra loose as an experiment!

[Jelly-bean16 Graduate in reply to Lizzyp44]

My friend warned me that when she got new running shoes both her and her daughter got pins and needles. I get them towards the end of my run too. Apparently it’ll go once the trainers are worn in a bit.