Awe man, . .hanging up my running shoes

[janie1234]

Is there anyone else out there that has had to stop running because of foot pain? I'm so super sad and bummed out. I went on a bit of a break for about 4 weeks almost 2 months ago, . .tons of family issues, . .caring for an ailing mother in law and my husband who got into a fight with a mountain-the mountain won (broken colar bone, finger, split lip, shoulder surgery). So I started back running 10 miles a week mostly 2 mile, trail runs and hills and I noticed my foot hurt, . . plantar fasciitis, . per Dr. It has been 2 weeks and it is not getting better after 1 1/2 mile I have to walk because of the pain. It just seems like I may just have to take spinning lessons and stick to mountain biking and taking walks. Has anyone else had to give up running because of injuries? Is it possible to go back into running w/plantar fasciitis. Gosh, . . when you've spent so many years running it is really hard for me to just take a walk. I'll be grateful for any advice anyone may have. I hate my Dr.'s who just seem to always tell me oh just stop running, . this happens when you get older, . yada yada, yada. If I was some olympic runner they would do all that they can to help me but I get no such encouragement.

 

[lightening16]

Hey

I am going through the same thing right now except I really pushed it and now I have achilles tendonitis too. I have gone for physio and it has really helped. I have had to slow down but now I am working my way back up again. I did do alot of biking for a couple weeks. It will get better. I ended up getting "superfeet" inserts for my shoes and it has made a world of difference. Have you got new shoes yet? The physio gave me alot of stretches and I stretch my foot every morning before I get out of bed. Sit on bedside, cross sore foot over other knee. Bend toes back, as if they are going to touch your shin, and pull in the opposite direction on your heel. Then message hard on the bottom of your foot and you will break up the scar tissue that is tearing when you run. My issues are do to my low arches and overpronation due to weak calf and leg muscles (the smaller ones). PF can be due to other things so physio would really help you figure out what you need to work on. I ran pain free for 5 years and all of a sudden boom (well not all of a sudden... I added Cathe workouts onto my regular routine...6 days a week).

Good luck!
Heather

 

[janie1234]

Hey

I am going through the same thing right now except I really pushed it and now I have achilles tendonitis too. I have gone for physio and it has really helped. I have had to slow down but now I am working my way back up again. I did do alot of biking for a couple weeks. It will get better. I ended up getting "superfeet" inserts for my shoes and it has made a world of difference. Have you got new shoes yet? The physio gave me alot of stretches and I stretch my foot every morning before I get out of bed. Sit on bedside, cross sore foot over other knee. Bend toes back, as if they are going to touch your shin, and pull in the opposite direction on your heel. Then message hard on the bottom of your foot and you will break up the scar tissue that is tearing when you run. My issues are do to my low arches and overpronation due to weak calf and leg muscles (the smaller ones). PF can be due to other things so physio would really help you figure out what you need to work on. I ran pain free for 5 years and all of a sudden boom (well not all of a sudden... I added Cathe workouts onto my regular routine...6 days a week).

Good luck!
Heather

Heather thank you I wish I could hug you right now! I have super flat feet too. My calves and legs are strong though, . . but I overpronate like crazy. I also have the superfeet inserts, the green ones, . .is that what you use? I will add the stretching that you mentioned. Thank you for giving me hope. I was going to just give in and switch to spin and mountain biking which I also love but I have to drive to places to do. With running I can just put my shoes on go.

 

[lightening16]

It's funny about week and a half ago i was starting to think that it was never going to get better and then miraculously is started to. I was even thinking of posting too. I am not 100% but getting better. I forgot that I also do calf stretches too with a bent knee to stretch deep calf muscles and that really helps too. Glad I could help! It is sad that your doctor was unwilling to help you. My physio guy said that you should always say you are an athlete... because then you get treated like one!
It will get better!. I have been running but am avoiding hill climbs for a while too.
Keep in touch
Heather

 

[janie1234]

My physio guy said that you should always say you are an athlete... because then you get treated like one!
It will get better!. I have been running but am avoiding hill climbs for a while too.
Keep in touch
Heather

I wish saying I was an athlete would work but my Dr.'s who are through Kaiser are always in a rush, . . .they are not terrible but they don't always make time for you unless your limb is dangling from your arm or your face is falling off. I'm thinking of biting the bullet and just trying to find a sports Dr. I hate to think what that would cost me though. I'm going to give your advice a try first and see if that helps. Do you ice or heat it all? Do you stop running all together if you feel discomfort? I can run through the pain but I'm pretty sure that will make things worse. Many thanks again!

 

[JeanneMarie]

Heather thank you I wish I could hug you right now! I have super flat feet too. My calves and legs are strong though, . . but I overpronate like crazy. I also have the superfeet inserts, the green ones, . .is that what you use? I will add the stretching that you mentioned. Thank you for giving me hope. I was going to just give in and switch to spin and mountain biking which I also love but I have to drive to places to do. With running I can just put my shoes on go.

PF isn't just for those who are flat footed. I have a very high arch and I have dealt with PF in the past too.

I don't necessarily advocate how I handled it, but it definitely worked for me. I did my stretches at night and in the morning, made sure I had the right running shoe & inserts (superfeet), made sure I did NOT ever walk barefoot on my hardwood & tile floors and made sure my everyday shoes were of good quality with comfy arch supports. Through all this, I kept running. Within about 6 months, my PF was gone. I really just ran through the pain.

I hope you will get relief soon. I think there is every reason to believe you'll be back running.

 

[banslug]

I'm about 5 weeks away from my half marathon, after which I will be taking a break from regular running due to my PF. Mine was pretty bad about a 9 months ago, so I took a break and stayed with other workouts (although some were still impact), started really stretching and wearing shoes all day (which I don't enjoy doing). Then it started to get better and I committed to this half on Sept 13th. The last month or so, my PF has been on and off, but mainly because I've been getting lazy about wearing shoes all day.....I need to show off that pretty pedicure I got, right? LOL Mainly, I've been stretching before I even sit up in bed in the AM, stretch during the day, massage my heel while sitting down, and doing deep calf stretches after each run.....and that's been helping. But I also feel like I need a break from running, for my mental state as well. (and for what it's worth, my arch is normal...not flat nor high, just normal)

Good luck. You're obviously not alone.

Gayle

 

[syzygy314]

It's weird, but my PF started before I took up running. Actually, it started before my workouts even got serious! I was at a gym walking on the TM 1 hour a day, 5 days a week when I noticed pain in my right foot not while exercising, but when I would get up in the middle of the night with my pups or first thing in the morning, which always seemed to improve as I moved around. My Dr. said it was PF and gave me exercises and an Rx for PT if it didn't get better in a few weeks.

Well, it didn't improve until after I started Cathe workouts and running. The reason, IMO, was because I started stretching more seriously when I started running. It's nowhere near as bad as it was before.

 

[Worknprogress]

Oh yes, I have had to hang up my running shoes a few times. Twice for PF, once for a broken toe and I also have a bad back that I can usually run with but every few years when it goes out, I just can't work out at all.

As far as PF - the 2nd time I had it I couldn't even wash dishes standing on that foot it was so bad. JeanneMarie is right on with her advice on never going barefoot and having arch support NOT heel support.

My first go around with PF took so long to get rid of because I did all of the wrong things. The 2nd time which was 2 years ago I did a lot of research and found as others have advised you already: stretches - before you get out of bed, before you get in bed and after any exercise at all - make sure you stretch your calf muscle like you have never done before!! I actually wore a stretch/splint to bed for a couple of weeks as well that stretched me while I was sleeping.

And again - Do not go barefoot - ever!! and every shoe you wear should have arch support. The better the arch support the more it will lift your heel up. Do not confuse heel support with PF and get heel pads - it will only put more pressure on the pain.

Ice it every night - whether you work out or not. The best icing I have found for PF is to freeze a bottle of water and roll the iced bottle along your arch through the back of your heel.

Depending how bad your PF is, you might have to stop all impact training. But I found the 2nd time around, doing all of the right things, I was back to running after one month!!

Good luck - there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

 

[JeanneMarie]

It's weird, but my PF started before I took up running. Actually, it started before my workouts even got serious! I was at a gym walking on the TM 1 hour a day, 5 days a week when I noticed pain in my right foot not while exercising, but when I would get up in the middle of the night with my pups or first thing in the morning, which always seemed to improve as I moved around. My Dr. said it was PF and gave me exercises and an Rx for PT if it didn't get better in a few weeks.

Well, it didn't improve until after I started Cathe workouts and running. The reason, IMO, was because I started stretching more seriously when I started running. It's nowhere near as bad as it was before.

PF is not limited just to those of us who run and do high impace exercise. I know several people who have gotten it just from a lot of standing with their job.

I have a good friend who is somewhat overweight and stands all day long with her job (small animal Vet), and she has it. In fact, I think hers is worse than mine even was because she is not exercising and incorporating stretching into her day.

 

[bundschuh]

Since I was a teenager, I have had to hang up the runners at least 4 times. When I was 16, I was playing field hockey and turned over on my right foot, damaged most of the ligaments and tendons as well as achilles tendon in my foot. In a cast for about 6 weeks.

Started playing sports again that fall but my feet were never the same. Went to design school in my 20's and started working in factories on my feet at least 10 hours per day. Skied at least 50-60 times per season. Started getting achilles tendonitis in left achilles. Got to the point where I couldn't walk some days as the pain was so intense (was going to physio). Doctor finally figured I had a partial tear of the tendon. Had surgery and in a cast for 6 weeks. Back to normal after 4 months continued skiing and exercising.

Last summer, steady pain in my right achilles tendon after skiing over use injury in February (skied lots of bumps one day, couldn't walk or put on ski boot next day). Went golfing one weekend, could barely walk. Still was exercising but running was too painful. Went to see a specialist in November, put me in a walking cast for 6 weeks. Seemed to recover (went to Hawaii and did lots of walking, hiking and sports in my cast). Cast off in January, within a week of normal activities achilles flared up but physio kept the swelling low. In March physio said he couldn' do anymore go back to specialist, by April 15 had surgery to repair and debride tendon. By June 1 out of cast, pain mostly gone, still can't run, but can go up and down stair, do sts legs no problem. Surgeon said will not be able to run long distances without damaging tendon(s) again, but biking, rowing, elliptical machine etc, are good.

Hoping to ski again this winter.

 

[hokypoky]

Just a note that I have Kaiser, too and the dr I had a few years ago happened to be the team dr for the Air Force Academy football team and the Colorado College hockey team. I think you can easily ask for a referral to a sports med specialist from your general md and it should be covered by insurance. Usually the co-pays are higher, but athletes get injuries all the time, and are able to resume their sport. It might take a while, but if you love running .... don't hang up those shoes quite yet!

 

[hokypoky]

I forgot to add that not only have the right athletic shoes/inserts is crucial, but making sure the shoes you wear the remaining 10-15 hours of the day makes a HUGE difference. I took all my shoes in to a shoe store that corrects foot issues and they put a variety of foam inserts or pads in my sandals, flats, etc.

 

[cakebaker]

Running is no good for the joints, etc.

I've never run because I know it's murder on the knees & everything else. In 20 years of working out with all kinds of cardio except running, I've never had an injury. I've done race walking, but never running. If you want killer cardio, try spinning! It's much kinder to the knees, and torches lots of calories. It's also great for shaping your gams, too!

 

[JeanneMarie]

I've never run because I know it's murder on the knees & everything else. In 20 years of working out with all kinds of cardio except running, I've never had an injury. I've done race walking, but never running. If you want killer cardio, try spinning! It's much kinder to the knees, and torches lots of calories. It's also great for shaping your gams, too!

We appreciate the advice, but you've got to realize you're talking to people who run because we love it!

I would never quit running because it is my stress relief, my time to meditate and pray, the chance to enjoy the great outdoors.... all of these things, plus the opportunity to exercise!

 

[janie1234]

We
I would never quit running because it is my stress relief, my time to meditate and pray, the chance to enjoy the great outdoors.... all of these things, plus the opportunity to exercise!

I feel the exact same way! I don't run to train for marathons, . . it is just my me time and time to reflect be by myself and work out any stress. It has been the best medicine for my sleeplessness and my anxiety. Mostly I just love it.

Wow!! Thank you everyone who responded. I really feel like there is hope for me yet. I guess I'm going to get to work on adding some nightly stretching. Oh and I love the advice of wearing shoes all the time. I never even thought of that, . .we're the type of family that takes our shoes off in the house. I have a pair of cross trainers that I only wear at home in doors for my Cathe workouts, . . . although I don't really like the thought of wearing shoes all the time I think that it will really help with my PF and to the poster who mentioned icing. I will deffinitely do that too. Thank you everyone! I'm not going to give up and will let ya all know how things work out. You are all awesome!!

 

[Reese777]

Used to PLAGUE me. Ice was honestly the best remedy. I got Cryopak ice packs and trimmed the little packets into one and two pod pieces, wrapped them in paper towels and even tucked them in my every day shoes. It did the trick (with stretching).

I have not gone for a good run in two years tho, and now it's shin splints and ankle pain that have sidelined me, so I feel your "pain"- truly. Good luck! Here's a link for the ice packs if you're interested.

http://www.cryopak.com/

Is there anyone else out there that has had to stop running because of foot pain? I'm so super sad and bummed out. I went on a bit of a break for about 4 weeks almost 2 months ago, . .tons of family issues, . .caring for an ailing mother in law and my husband who got into a fight with a mountain-the mountain won (broken colar bone, finger, split lip, shoulder surgery). So I started back running 10 miles a week mostly 2 mile, trail runs and hills and I noticed my foot hurt, . . plantar fasciitis, . per Dr. It has been 2 weeks and it is not getting better after 1 1/2 mile I have to walk because of the pain. It just seems like I may just have to take spinning lessons and stick to mountain biking and taking walks. Has anyone else had to give up running because of injuries? Is it possible to go back into running w/plantar fasciitis. Gosh, . . when you've spent so many years running it is really hard for me to just take a walk. I'll be grateful for any advice anyone may have. I hate my Dr.'s who just seem to always tell me oh just stop running, . this happens when you get older, . yada yada, yada. If I was some olympic runner they would do all that they can to help me but I get no such encouragement.

 

[kkvls2004]

Liniment and Foot Lotion Suggestions

Great discussions and suggestions in here, thanks all.

I too have really struggled with foot pain the last 2 years or so. It's partly because I am getting older (42) and also because I was a gymnast from age 8 - 18 and then a modern dancer (barefoot on wood floors - murder on the joints and connective tissues!) from ages 18 - 33. My arches fell, I have moderate bunions, calcium deposits between/on the tarsal bones - lots of factors to point to!

I agree with those above who talked about wearing supportive shoes at all times, and never going barefoot. I have 2 pairs of very supportive slip-on Merrells that are my "indoor only" slipper type shoes. I get the most comfortable shoes possible for work (Clarks, for example), and when I need them re-soled I ask for the thicker, cushion type soles to better break heel impact. I usually add a half size on to my work shoes and install gel inserts. Also, if I have to do walking for work I will wear sneakers and tote my sandals/pumps in my rolling briefcase, slipping them on in the lobby before I go into appointments.

From an exercise perspective I adapt nearly all my Cathe tapes for low impact. This has been necessary in my case. I also do yoga 1-2x/week; stretching my calves out seems to help my feet.

Finally, I can recommend two very soothing products I keep on hand that really help if my feet are complaining. One is called "Po Sum On" and it is a Chinese liniment oil that just works miracles on me for tired feet and also on my neck, when it gets out of whack. I usually pick this up in Chinese grocery stores but you can also find it on Amazon.

Second is a cream/lotion I get from Lush called "Fair Trade Foot Lotion" that arnica, peppermint, and spearmint in it. Smells heavenly, isn't greasy, and is very soothing. Here's a link: http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/body/foot-care/fair-trade-foot-lotion

Thanks again for all the great suggestions.

 

[rmrmr]

I too have given up running due to foot pain. It's been very frustrating to say the least. In my case, I've had 2 bunionectomies on the same foot. My toes are very crowded now and I have a lot of forefoot pad pain and these electric shock type shooting pains that come out of no where. Because the pain is in my forefoot, spinning is also a problem for me. Some days are better than others. I also have a bunion on my left foot, but my Dr is hesitant to do surgery due to the deformity of my right foot after the bunionecotmies. Most days I can handle a 60 min step or cardio w/o, but not much longer as my foot is usually starting to hurt about 40 mins into the workout.

My Dr. also recommended the superfeet inserts which I use. I wouldn't say they make a ton of difference, but it is noticeable. Massaging the feet and using ice seem to make the best differenct for me. You should always wear shoes, even in the house. I'm terrible about that and mostly go barefoot inside. I also use yoga toes, you might want to look into those.

Sorry to hear of your frustrations, but as you can see, you are not alone.

 

[jcm]

i feel the pain - ha! i was supposed to have a 16 mile week this week but ended up with 6. i've been dealing w/ this on and off for 8 years. an ortho. dr. diagnosed it and referred me to a PT. he was awesome and had run boston 3 times. long story short, what i learned - my PF actually resulted in posterior tendonitis. basically from the inside of my ankle up gets so bad i can hardly touch it. i wrap ice packs on the inside of my shins for 20 minutes (i use an ace bandage so i can still do other things). stretch calves and achilles as much as possible. i have orthodics for my running shoes, and i also run in shoes for severe overpronators. and when i'm not wearing running shoes w/ the orthodics i am ALWAYS in a birkenstock. winter, summer, water shoes... or i pay the price. the only reason i'm having trouble now is my own laziness - my PT gave me a series of exercises to strengthen my ankles, so the posterior tendonitis doesn't get so bad from the pronation. i just don't do it.

anyway, don't give up the running. unless a really good doctor, who is supportive of running in general, says to stop, don't. where there is a will there is usually a way.