Foot pain while running.

[Naxet1959]

This might b e of some encouragement: http://therunningbarefoot.com/?p=7154#comments

Got 6 miles in today, feeling good....

This might be helpful in you live in a cold weather area:
http://therunningbarefoot.com/?p=7180

[tfltackdriver]

I suggest going to see an orthopedic foot specialist, preferably one who is a runner. Then fork over your hard-earned money so he/she can tell you the same things you've heard here.
I went through this almost exactly a year ago. Dr. was the best around, but couldn't tell if it was plantar faciitis or a stress fracture without doing an expensive bone-density scan. My solution was to stay the heck off my feet for a month and to go get fitted for an appropriate pair of running shoes at a running shoe store afterward. Then I started back with baby steps and built up my mileage carefully and slowly.
Here's the sucky thing: my foot never felt better the whole time I rested it. That little tendon just kept getting tighter and tighter.
Starting back with the baby steps in running, I was also sure to keep that tendon stretched. That was the only thing that helped.
Stand up, keep the good foot flat and roll up on your tippy toes with the problem foot. Feel that tight bugger? Now press down. If that hurts like hell, there's a good chance you have plantar faciitis.

[e1harris]

If you're new to the VFF shoes, I would say it's probably just your feet getting built up to running this way....

....I can definitely feel a difference in my feet, they are a bit sore, but feel pretty good....

....I encourage you to NOT go out and buy heavy, cushioned, motion control shoes at this point.... but, what do I know).

Off Topic, but this is exactly "What's wrong" with the whole barefoot running "click". They give arbitrary advice on what they “believe” is “best” for you. But…. They know absolutely nothing about you.

I say stop giving “medical advice” unless you’re somehow qualified to tell some dude you have never met off of the internet how his “pain” is o.k. to keep running on.

And to answer your question, I’m not sure…. What do you know urbanamish? No disrespect, but it sounds to me like the OP injured himself.

[300WM]

Off Topic, but this is exactly "What's wrong" with the whole barefoot running "click". They give arbitrary advice on what they “believe” is “best” for you. But…. They know absolutely nothing about you.

I say stop giving “medical advice” unless you’re somehow qualified to tell some dude you have never met off of the internet how his “pain” is o.k. to keep running on.

And to answer your question, I’m not sure…. What do you know urbanamish? No disrespect, but it sounds to me like the OP injured himself.

I like how delicately you put this.

I really never understood the fascination with doing this to your body in the first place, but if it works for you, go for it. I will say that Jesus, when he was a physical man, wore sandals that probably had more cushioning effect than these shoes do, and he walked everywhere he went.

[urbanamish]

Off Topic, but this is exactly "What's wrong" with the whole barefoot running "click". They give arbitrary advice on what they “believe” is “best” for you. But…. They know absolutely nothing about you.

I say stop giving “medical advice” unless you’re somehow qualified to tell some dude you have never met off of the internet how his “pain” is o.k. to keep running on.

And to answer your question, I’m not sure…. What do you know urbanamish? No disrespect, but it sounds to me like the OP injured himself.

I don't know much, which is why I humbly posit my opinion, and hopefully the OP can be enriched in some small way by reading my post. (Which, I thought was kind of the point of a forum like this?)

I didn't tell him to keep running through the pain, I just offered my best guess as to what the problem was, and what I have done / would do, in a similar situation.

I do know that there is hard evidence of a few things:

Humans have been running for millennia.

They didn't seem to have a significant problem with getting hurt while running, until the mid to late 20th century, which coincides with the move to wearing cushioned, motion controlled shoes. Is this a cause / effect? I'm not qualified to say so, but there are some smart folks who believe it may be. http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/

If 50 - 70% of our forefathers got hurt running, they would have run their way straight out of the gene pool, back before there were things like tools for hunting, and transportation. I think there's ample evidence that we should consider, to see how these men of old ran, and to see if we can learn anything from them.

Back to the topic at hand... my rule of thumb is that if it doesn't get better with two or three days rest / ice, I probably need to see a doctor / therapist, etc. So far, as I've transitioned to minimalist footwear, it's been pretty easy to listen to, and respond to, what my body needed in terms of form correction, rest, mileage, etc.

[e1harris]

I didn't tell him to keep running through the pain....

Um yeah, you did. You told him that his feet would get use to it.

They didn't seem to have a significant problem with getting hurt while running, until the mid to late 20th century, which coincides with the move to wearing cushioned, motion controlled shoes....

Do you really want to know what changed? BMI (body mass index)!!!

According to the CDC 68% of all Americans over 20 years old are "Overweight". Exactly 1/2 of that 68% are considered obese.

Our feet weren't designed to carry that much weight, much less run with it. Thats precisely why "support" is needed.


Do me a favor, promise that in the future you'll be more objective and find out a little bit about the person you are talking to before you give advice that may be detrimental to almost 7 out of 10 Americans.

[e1harris]

American Podiatric Medical Association Position Statement on Barefoot Running http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/News/Me...t-Running.aspx

Barefoot running has become an increasing trend, and a possible alternative or training adjunct to running with shoes. While anecdotal evidence and testimonials proliferate on the Internet and in the media about the possible health benefits of barefoot running, research has not yet adequately shed light on the immediate and long term effects of this practice.

Barefoot running has been touted as improving strength and balance, while promoting a more natural running style. However, risks of barefoot running include a lack of protection--which may lead to injuries such as puncture wounds--and increased stress on the lower extremities. Currently, inconclusive scientific research has been conducted regarding the benefits and/or risks of barefoot running.

The American Podiatric Medical Association, along with the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, encourages the public to consult a podiatrist with a strong background in sports medicine to make an informed decision on all aspects of their running and training programs.

[300WM]

Do you really want to know what changed? BMI (body mass index)!!!

According to the CDC 68% of all Americans over 20 years old are "Overweight". Exactly 1/2 of that 68% are considered obese.

Our feet weren't designed to carry that much weight, much less run with it. Thats precisely why "support" is needed.

This along with asphalt, concrete, and hard wood tracks, sidewalks and roadsides. These things did not start showing up until the twentieth century, as well. Not the best things to run on if you want your feet and knee joints to last as long as the rest of you.

[dookie1481]

A. If you're out of shape, don't run. There are plenty of other modes of exercise that work. There are shit-tons of fractures and repetitive-use injuries that happen to kids when they go to boot camp (i.e. stop being couch potatoes).

B. If you have a question about barefoot running or injury prevention I strongly suggest you look for answers somewhere other than a gun forum. Sounds crazy, I know.

C. Science of sport did a massive article series on barefoot/minimalist shoe running. The upshot seems to be that it works well for some people. Also, there doesn't seem to be much benefit to expensive, high-tech, heavily cushioned shoes. One theory is that OVERSTRIDING seems to be a big problem, which is the type of gait that tends to be promoted by heavily cushioned shoes.

D. Above all else, don't go out and start running 2-3 miles at a time when you switch to minimalist shoes.

I suggest you take a week off, and if the pain doesn't subside go see a doctor. If it does, wait another week and then start building up mileage VERY SLOWLY.

[dookie1481]

Do you really want to know what changed? BMI (body mass index)!!!

According to the CDC 68% of all Americans over 20 years old are "Overweight". Exactly 1/2 of that 68% are considered obese.

What the hell does this have to do with running? I don't think there is much overlap in the "running" and "obese" demographics. An increase in running injuries can hardly be attributed to an increase in BMI and obesity in America.

You sound like just as much of a zealot as the barefoot running acolytes.

Jay