Thursday, August 02, 2007

My feet don't feel so fleet

I'm signed up to run a 1/2 marathon next weekend, and I'm getting a bit worried. I've been having some problems with my left foot lately. I'd doesn't bother me very much - just after I've been running outside for a few miles. It started happening after I got my new Asics - I'd been ok in my cheap Nike shoes that I buy from Famous Footwear. But all I've read on cool*runnings has led me to believe that I needed to be fitted for running shoes - so to Fleet Feet I went.

I found out that I need neutral shoes, and that I have high arches. So, I was fitted with orthodics as well. I tried running in the orthodics. I went twice outside and twice on the dreadmill for a total of about 15 miles. Those dang orthodics never felt good - my feet ached. I took them back to the store, but the problems never went away.

After about 2-3 miles, I start getting a pain in the ball of my foot by my toes. It feels like there is a large pebble or marble in my shoe. The pain then radiates into my toes, and they start to feel numb. I have noticed that if I change my gait and try to run more on the outside of my foot that the pain lessens.

Luckily, my foot feels great the rest of the time. Only when I wear one pair of shoes (that I love because they're so cute - see pic below) do I have any pain at all. And I don't wear them much, so it isn't a big deal.

a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v365/chutch1/Picture.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Oh - and isn't the carpet in my office lovely? LOL

Anyway - I've been thinking that my pain if from my shoes. I never thought that it could be anything else. But yesterday, I was surfing the forums at my favorite site, cool*runnings, and I found a thread about Morton's Neuroma.

A google search turned up this:

A neuroma is a noncancerous (benign) growth of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of your body. Morton's neuroma occurs in a nerve in your foot, often between your third and fourth toes. The condition isn't a true tumor, but instead involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the digital nerves leading to your toes. Morton's neuroma causes a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot. Your toes also may sting, burn or feel numb if you have Morton's neuroma.

Also called plantar neuroma or intermetatarsal neuroma, Morton's neuroma may occur in response to irritation, injury or pressure - such as from wearing tightfitting shoes. But Morton's neuroma may also occur for unknown reasons.

Treatments for Morton's neuroma commonly involve changing footwear, resting your foot, and using arch supports or pads to help take pressure off the area. In some cases, your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory drugs, a cortisone injection or even surgery if you have Morton's neuroma



I'm now convinced that is what I have. I don't want to go to the doctor though, because I know the first thing I'll have to do is stop running. And I don't want to stop. But I do want to run without pain. So, I suppose I don't know what to do.

If anyone has advice/experience with a neuroma, please advise. I'd love to hear stories!

3 comments:

Kriss said...

Funny you should say Asics because I bought some new running Asics last summer and the same thing happened to me. I prefer running shoes because they are a lighter shoe. I noticed if I I stepped down it was horrible pain in the ball of my foot and my toes went numb everytime I exercised. Except instead of running I was using my Ellipitical (sp??). So I changed shoe brands and tried to take it easy but still get my exercise in. It took almost three freaking months for that to go away and I will never buy Asics again!!! I really think it's the shoe that caused the prob. You might change brands and see if that helps. Basically I think it bruised the ball of my foot and it took a while for it to heal.

-kriss

Anonymous said...

My very best advice is to go back to whatever shoes feel the best for you. I had a foot issue awhile back after I was really back into running. Unfortunately I did have to let up on the running for several, several weeks, but it went away. I find it really odd that you only got the pain when you got fitted for new shoes. That is not to say that you didn't develop that condition, but it's weird that you didn't feel it until you changed it all up. My favorite shoes, by the way, are Saucony. LOVE them and won't wear another brand! Hope your foot feels better soon. I'd see a FOOT doc, ask for an X-ray and in the meantime just lower your milage. If you have to skip a race or two, it won't be the end of the world. If you let this go though, you could do more damage if it is something else etc....

I'm really excited for you that you have found that you love running so much. I love it too and feel like I am missing something on the days I don't run. I am still feeling sick and can't run today either and am really bummed about it! Who knew?! But I agree it is the endorphin high and the sense of accomplishment that it gives you that makes it addicting! Keep up the good work!

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