Fast Running Blog

As some of you know, I've been dealing with a bum right foot for some time now. Strangely, the pain seems to be moving around. The good news (I think its good) is that the area of predominant pain for the last 3 months seems nearly gone (Bone scan diagnosis seemed to indicate Joint Inflamation -- 3 weeks into some Glucosomine/Chondroitin sp?). However, over the last 2 weeks I've had this odd arch oriented pain. My original thought was wearing my sandals (evil things, but so very easy and fun). So I started wearing my running shoes all the time and rotate through wearing whatever pair I did not run in that day. Mostly I'm wearing my Nike Elite's which seem to have good midfoot support.

In regards to the pain, I would describe it as an almost cramping type pain. When I roll my toes upwards to elongate my arch, the "tenderness" (note, not really pain) runs along what I suspect is a major tendon connecting my heel to the ball of my foot. When I run, this tenderness goes away as the run continues. I would almost equate it to a stiffness that is slowly being worked out over the course of the run. It is clearly a midfoot arch tenderness that is closer to the ball of the foot than the heel.

I'd call/see my doctor about it, but I'm on vacation for the next 2 weeks in Michigan. Its not at all effecting my running, but I would like to make some small adjustments that might alleviate the situation while I'm on vacation if anyone has and professional suggestions.

Thanks

When I get pain or stiffness or can just feel anything strange in my feet I roll them out.  Get a hard ball (baseball or golf ball) or a can of soup and roll it on the bottom of your foot as hard as you can stand it.  This might be uncomforatlbe but it what probably what needs to be done.  You should ice it after and it might be tender the day after you do it.  But I would do it daily until the feeling is gone form you arch.  You probably have the 1st stages of plantar faciatitis so get on top of it now.

It may not be affecting you now significantly, but it is probably doing something. Do like Josse said and get on it now before the little pain in your arch leads to a bigger pain in your ankle, then a muscle strain in your calf, then a pulled hamstring.., etc. Your body is tremendously connected in this way. Something is compensating for your arch so you don't feel it hurt when you run. Be sure to be careful and stop the little pain before it turns big.

Make sure you don't have plantar fasciitis.  If you have insurance, see a specialist and/or a physical therapist.  I have been dealing with plantar fasciitis for almost 6 months and now just finally healed.  Good luck.