Suitable cardio when I've got bunions?

[BoogieFeet]

Glamorous I know..

My preferred cardio is running, and I was planning to get back into it now that the school holidays have finished. However I've recently started suffering with bunions . While my feet felt mostly ok on my last run (good running shoes), the next day they were very painful. I'm going to try another run later this week to see whether I'm really going to have to stop.

I suppose that even if I can get away with one run a week I should be trying some non-weight bearing cardio to give the bones in my feet some recovery time rather than aiming for 3 runs. Maybe swimming/cycling?

Has anyone else had a similar problem and found a good solution?

I’ve not got bunions, but my mum suffered for years before she eventually had surgery, so I keep a close eye on my feet in case I start to get them. You can get toe spacers which may help prevent them worsening (and possibly correct as well?), my Mum wears them as even after surgery, her bunions started growing back. Could be an option?

Thanks for the info Thankfully my toes haven't moved together yet. Apparently mine are caused by fallen arches so I've now got some insoles and also gel pads to protect the actual bunions. I think I'll need surgery some day, but given that your mum's ones are coming back again I think I'll wait for as long as possible.
I'm hoping insoles, comfy flat shoes (nothing new there for me), losing a little weight and gel pads/ice packs can calm them for now.

Do your bunions hurt or is it the impact on the rest of your feet? I have a massive bunion on one foot, but it isn't painful, however my toes have moved on top of one another as they get squashed. I still run though, I get shoes 2 sizes bigger than my normal size, and choose brands with a large shoe box (Mizuno, Saucony etc.) My feet don't usually hurt until 18km + so for marathons it is more painful, but I can live with it. There are some excellent anti rubbing creams that you can buy - I can't recommend any in the UK as I live in France but mine helps a lot, more than the protection patches you can buy. Cycling and swimming are much easier on your feet, but with cycling you have to do twice as long for the same cardio impact (difficult for me in the winter) and swimming is indoors so not as much fun (for me anyway!).

Oh - anti-rubbing creams sound like a good idea. I have one that I use to stop getting friction burns on my arms on long runs. Which one do you use? My parents go to France quite often so could probably pick me one up if mine wasn't up to much.
It is just the bunions that hurt - and one is feeling much better today so I'm hopeful that they can be managed.
Glad to hear that you can still run - I don't want to have to give it up. I wasn't planning any runs over 20km in the immediate future, I like to do regular 10km races to keep me motivated.

Can you get to a spin class? That would get your cardio rate up more efficiently than spending twice as long on a bike. If not then a programme on the bike would be a good alternative, if it's an option.

Bunion facts: they are a connective tissue weakness, not a bone defirmity as commonly thought, and nothing like toe spacers, braces or orthotics can correct them ( or significantly stop them getting worse) but they do make it more comfortable/ easier to live with. Definitely consider custom orthotics- take some getting used to but do the job for comfort. I ended up running in Altras due to the massive toe box and that also helped.

Last time I checked I couldn't make the local spin class as it clashed with other commitments, but it was a while ago so I'll check again. Thanks for the idea *StorminaBcup"

d'oh - typing fail. StorminaBcup

I was going to say Spinning too. I feel your pain as my bunions are playing up.

Glad to see another person who can still run despite the bunions Cantseethewoods If I have trouble after my run I guess I'll need to look for some new shoes with more support and a wider toe box.

BoogieFeet, this is the anti rubbing/chafing creme that I use (and all my runner friends!) Akileïne Sports Crème NOK Anti-Frottement I'm sure there must be a good equivalent in the UK.

Confession: I just had mine operated on BUT only because I happen to live in a country where there is a surgeon who does the "no break" method (he's basically the only one in the world). The data on break methods is not positive enough to make me consider it because it seems it doesnt really do much to improve function, which is my main concern and I know a few (admittedly old) people who had surgery and it didnt really solve it and they had nerve damage.