Sometimes it's hard to be sensible....

[sfb350]

I bought new running shoes 6-8 weeks ago - they were the same model as my old ones but half a size bigger as I was advised that would avoid me losing another toenail ! Soon after running in them, I noticed a lot of arch pain in both feet but particularly in my right foot. I assumed it was because I was running further. Over the last 2-3 weeks I've been limping in between each run, due to pain in my arches but also a shooting pain from my hip to my knee, and sometimes to my ankle. I used heel inserts for my 10k on Sunday and they stopped the pain but didn't feel quite right.

Today, I went back to the shop where I bought my shoes to ask for advice. They filmed me on the treadmill and observed that my shoes weren't giving enough support. I tried the newer version of the same shoe and it provided a lot more support - I could see the improvement in the film they showed me. I braced myself to add another £87 to my credit card....they not only refunded the cost of the old, really dirty, shoes but they gave me a discount for being in a running club. My new, upgraded shoes cost £13.95 !

They advised that the hip pain was probably due to compensating for the arch pain and told me to rest until I'm pain-free before I try the new shoes. Very frustrating ! I want to play in my new shoes and it was a lovely evening for it. Following torrential rain throughout the day, it was one of those sunny evenings where everything has a special glow and intensity of colour and I wanted to run ! Instead, I've been sensible and rested and quaffed wine - I'll try my new shoes out on the treadmill when the aches and pains go away !

[mair99 Graduate]

A great outcome for a potentially serious situation. Good idea to quaff the wine.. Wish I was doing the same

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Take your lovely new running shoes for a walk sfb they will enjoy it and it will give your feet a chance to break them in a bit. I have done this the last 2 pairs of shoes, I never put on a new pair and run first time, always a nice walk first. Treat them well and they will be good to your feet is my motto

[sfb350 Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Yes, I think I'll wear them around the house while I'm "resting" then try them out in the gym and on the treadmill. I don't want to get them dirty straight away in case I need to take them back (although the ones they took back were rather grubby following some off-road running!). I'm doing foot exercises too to try and strengthen the arches and walking around the office with no shoes on

[ScottishHoosier Graduate]

It could be that you have developed fallen arches. I did during cancer treatment. It was after I came out the other side of the treatment and took up walking to try to get back some strength that my feet started to give me real pain. Research on the internet pointed me in the direction of fallen arches, and a trip to my GP verified it.

I wear supports in almost all of my shoes, even my trainers. I prefer the Dr Scholl ones that are about 3/4 length, so they don't go all the way to the ball of your foot. There are many others to choose from. They are expensive, so I usually stock up when I notice Boots has them on sale. When I wear the inserts regularly, I normally don't have any problems. However, if I let it slide or wear shoes unsuitable for inserts too often, the pain can come back. It can be especially bad when getting up in the morning. When that happens, I wear ankle supports to bed for a few nights. This might sound a bit strange, but most ankle supports go under the arch of your foot and thereby pull the tendons back into position.

Good luck with your exercises! That is something my GP had recommended, too. I tend to stretch my feet before I get out of bed in the morning. That seems to really help.

webmd.com/pain-management/w...

[sfb350 Graduate in reply to ScottishHoosier]

Thank you for such a detailed reply. I haven't managed to run very far in the last week due to some other problems but I've been making sure I walk barefoot as much as possible to exercise my feet and the arch pain seems to have gone. My hip is still a bit niggly so I'm undecided whether to run or not tonight. I had a short run on the treadmill at the weekend and my impression was that the new shoes were a lot more supportive. The chap in the shop seemed surprised that my six-week old shoes felt as soft as they did so there was possibly a problem with them.

Thanks for the link too.

[ScottishHoosier Graduate in reply to sfb350]

Best of luck!!!