Running & foot pain

[-Doug-]

This is for any runners on here - or any sports medicine types.

I recently started running again. I have run twice in the past week. Both times I did just over 2 miles. During the afternoon/evening of the second run, the top of my foot hurt. The pain would come and go. Today, the pain is only slightly noticeable. I am going on a run during lunch today to see how it reacts.

I don't recall anything during the last run that made me feel "off" or make me think that I would have pain as a result of a misstep. Has anyone else experience a similar situation. If so, what happened and how did you care for it to make it better?

[D.A.L.U.I.]

This is old, really old, information.  Before I stopped running in 2001 because of two surgeries for a herniated disc, I had that problem--once.  My pain would come and go, but was quite sharp and debilitating and was the result of a stress fracture in a metatarsal bone.  Stress fractures can occur for several reasons that aren't specific isolated injuries, for example rapid change of distance, sudden  change of running surface or intense and sudden increase in speed.  Mine was from change of surface--I had trained for the 5 mile Turkey Day on the streetcar tracks--a compacted dirt and grass surface--and the race was on the paved surface of city streets.  Hurt like hell, but would go away then return unpredictably even when walking.  The fracture was discovered by x-ray at the right angle.  Finally had to have a cast because boot bracing didn't immobilize it enough.  After that I always made sure to include a portion of hard surface running in my training and never had it again until I had to stop running altogether.   

[-Doug-]

Thanks for the info Saint. My research resulted in stress fractures or a shoe being too tight. I ran during lunch today and didn't have any surges of pain so I am hoping that it was just a shoe that was too tight and not a fracture. It is still a little bit tender though...I'll have to see how it feels over the next few runs.

Hurt like hell, but would go away then return unpredictably even when walking.  The fracture was discovered by x-ray at the right angle.  Finally had to have a cast because

How frequently would it come back?

[D.A.L.U.I.]

How frequently would it come back?

Race was Thursday, of course, then during the next week, I'd go a while w/o feeling a thing, then Blam--like a knife.  The break was under a tendon attachment, and if I move the foot so that it pulled that tendon, it was murder.  Dr. said it could have pulled away then it would have been knife city.  But, 90% of the time no problem, the other 10%--murder. 

[ozzie]

Saint's diagnosis was the first thing that came to my mind as well. The surface you run on has a dramatic effect on your feet, especially if you have just started running again. Search out a local high school that allows running on their track after school hours and build up some mileage on that very forgiving surface before hitting the roads. Build up your mileage s-l-o-w-l-y.

A couple of other things to consider:

SHOES: You mention that you have started running after a lapse. Are you using old shoes? Foot support is diminished as the miles mount up on running shoes. Consider buying a new pair from a running store, where you can go for a short run while they check out your gait, and fit you a pair that suits you perfectly.

FOOT STRIKE: Some people tend to run on their toes, creating undue stress on the foot. Make sure your foot strikes the ground mid-sole.

Best wishes for your running, Doug! Keep us posted.

[-Doug-]

Thanks for the tips Ozzie.

I am only coming off of a 3 month break from running so I am trying to build back up slowly.

As for the shoes, I did get them from a running store where they checked my gait. They only have about 40 miles on them. My foot is still not hurting after today's run so I hoping its not a stressfracture.

[tomgallagher]

Stick to grass for a while. Stay away from concrete.

[kelly123]

You must look after to the technique you are using. I think you may take a closure look on the quality and comfort ability of the shoes you are wearing. As this is a hidden factor which we often neglect.

[The Scottish Ambassador]

Check you are not over or under pronating (see link below)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronation

A specialist running shoe retailer who will assess your running can help you get the best shoes

[Jack21]

I hope that this is not the case for you but I cannot jog anymore at all because of knee problems. If you do find yourself unable to run there are of course numerous cardio machines that are virtually zero impact - I do the elliptical, the climber, or simply walk a good 12-15 degree incline. believe it or not it will really get your heart rate up. Anyway, I hope that its just a minor thing that will go away because there is no real subsitute for a good run.

[-Doug-]

Check you are not over or under pronating (see link below)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronation

A specialist running shoe retailer who will assess your running can help you get the best shoes

The last place I got my shoes from did a gait analysis. I can't remember if under or over but he made sure I got the right shoes. I am about due for some new ones though.

The pain did subside after a few weeks. Phew!!! However, between the cold temps and a sore back I have been doing as many miles as I would like to.