Within the last couple of months I started to get a niggle when I run long distance, ie anything over 10km. I started to have pain in both balls of my feet. I had gait analysis years ago and have always had neutral running shoes, usually Brookes which have always suited me. My latest shoes are 6 months old and have been really supportive upto now. I also have gel insoles. I have a very high instep so don't know if this has any significance. I used to get pain when I wore high heels, which I have to say I don't wear very often at all these days!
On Monday I ran 8 miles and it started to niggle again but not too bad. Tonight I ran just 6miles and the last 2km the balls of my feet were in absolute agony. Not sure what to do. Anyone experience of this and can give me some advice please?
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Written by
Hedgehogs123
Metric Marathon
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I don’t know if this will help but I had similar pain leading up to 10 miles running. It seemed to go away when I bought a new pair of running socks from my independent running shop. My previous socks must have been too thin for the bigger shoes, and didn’t provide any padding to the balls of my feet.
Thank you 👏. Worth a try, as my feet are still tender this morning, and thats with doing some massaging and ball rolling. Decided to give Parkrun a miss in the morning and volunteer instead, give them a complete break for a few days.Im off to order those socks now!
Sorry to hear this, it sounds painful and annoying. New socks sound like a really good idea. I think you can buy gel inserts for the balls if your feet too. I hope they improve! 😊
The fascia on our feet can get tight so have you tried rolling a golf ball or a small bottle of frozen water under your feet?
If you have a very high instep it would make sense that the balls of your feet would take the brunt of your footfall. Perhaps if none of the suggestions work for you you could see a podiatrist….?
Thank you, I wasn't sure whether to see a sports therapist, physio but haven't thought about a podiatrist, so definitely worth checking. I love my running but last night it was so painful it was unbelievable, so I've got to do something. Always had a problem whenever I wore heels of a certain height and sometimes flat shoes but never to this extreme. Giving Parkrun a miss in the morning to give them some rest!!
I am (hopefully) about to complete physio treatment for foot pain. Mine started over the cuboid bone, then appeared on the top of the foot on the inside and finally down into the arch itself. It swelled every time I ran. Now it is, I hope in its final stages where the pain appeared, like yours, in the ball of my foot, in my case on contact with the ground and on pushing off and in my toes. My physio found tendon damage on the inside of the foot (treated with massage and tape) and I started some plantar fasciitis exercises off my own bat, including toe stretches, heel raises, towel scrunches and rolling my spikey massage ball under my foot. I have been doing this for four or five weeks, and it is working. Finally I have been wearing recovery shoes post run. I have high arches too. Part of the problem was that the tendon damage was causing me to over pronate on the affected foot. I did consider an orthotic, but the physio felt that, given my high arches, it was better to work on the cause of the over pronation rather than the over pronation itself which was really a symptom of damage elsewhere. She also tested to see whether a hip weakness was involved. I found it hard to do a one foot stand on the affected leg. I too wear Brooks, but have the adrenalines.Sorry, lots of detail there and I note that you have the problem in both feet….maybe this just serves to show that it is a complicated area and a job for a professional.
Oh wow yours sounds very painful too. I'm going try quite a things that people have recommended and if it continues seek professional help. I've never known them to be as painful as they were last night. I used to be dancer, with lots of ballet and gymnastics and do wonder now whether it's all got something to do with it. I don't want to stop running but realise I can't ignore this pain now otherwise I know I will be forced to stop. This is really helpful advice thank you.
This forum is such a brilliant place for support and advice !😊
There are several brands. I got oofos. They basically encase the foot in foam, reaching up into the arch. So massive support. My pain in the later stages was on contact with the ground and pushing off ….the recovery shoes provided immediate relief when I got home. I wear them around the house post run. I was speaking to a local ultra runner who says he always has foot pain post a long run and uses recovery shoes to bring relief.
I use to do ballet too and I’m sure that’s what’s caused my back to be so stiff and rigid now. I can still hear my ballet teacher screaming “backs straight girls…..” Great for ballet moves but not for everyday life and running ☹️
Lots of good suggestions, particularly re professional advice, not least because you used to be a dancer.
Don't rule out your shoes as part of the problem though - depending on the mileage you're doing, they could well be worn out. You mention gait analysis years ago - could be worth getting it redone as your running might have changed.
Thank you, yes the gait analysis was quite a few years ago and maybe before I go and buy more running shoes , I should have it done again just to check. I was just looking at our local running shop to see when I can go to have it done, so think its wise to get that booked.
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