Runners: Shoes and feet and miles

[Stumpedasatree]

I've been running for years, have done a few marathons, last one was 4 years ago and lots of halfs. I have been through a LOT of different shoes. I also trail run which requires grippy shoes for different conditions.

The problem I am having more recently is when I do anything over 10 miles, no matter which shoe I choose, different parts of my feet hurt! I did a half this weekend, which was trail, so I wore my most comfortable trail shoes (La Sportiva Mutant) and by the last few miles my big toe was very sore (I think it was banging the end of the shoe and they are definitely not too small) and my other foot hurt on the sole, just below the toes. Could I have an ingrowing big toenail possibly?

I get no pain when walking or running less mileage, so it's very frustrating as I do want to do long runs without niggles!

I’m a newbie to longer distance running so am only in my first pair of proper running shoes. I used to just run in whatever gym trainers were current but only did around 5k at a time.

I had problems with the second toe (it is the longest) on one foot rubbing and tried different lacing to try and keep my foot back in the shoe. I think my basic mistake was not lacing tight enough down the instep rather than just making it tighter and tighter at the ankle. I assume you use the lace lock technique?

I still have occasional rubbing on this toe on longer runs and I think that I might actually need a half size bigger shoe.

I haven’t experienced rubbing or soreness elsewhere (touch wood) so couldn’t really comment on that aspect. Could it be your socks, or padding on the socks, or the combination of a particular pair of socks with a particular pair of shoes? Have you tried stopping to relace your shoes? - obviously not a long term solution !

It is frustrating!

With all your different shoes, are they ones you've just chosen yourself or have you had some proper advice?

If your toe is banging on the end of the shoe then they definitely are too small! Your toe can't bang on the shoe if it fits properly (and is properly laced etc).

The annoying thing is that shoes change all the time. I was very happy with my Brooks adrenalines. I had a few pairs (of different editions). Then at the last change, I went to buy a pair and they just didn't suit my feet any more. A subtle change in design meant they just didn't work for me. I had to switch to Glycerines.
I'm lucky in that I have a great local sports shop that stocks a lot of brands, and where they really know their stuff. I'd never buy a new shoe type (even just a new edition of one I've had before) anywhere else. Once I've found something that works, I shop around for sales/heavy discounts for another pair, but then go back to the shop when I can't get those any more.

I'd say you need to get someone who knows their stuff to look at your feet and your gait, and take it from there.

I have had some advice in the past but am not close to any running shops right now to easily get fitted. I wonder if it is in how I am lacing them too.

I was thinking about this and, the pain below your toes - could it be you are scrunching your foot up slightly so that on a longer run the muscles get tired or a bit crampy? I know I have to make a conscious effort to not land on one foot in a weird way otherwise it pulls up the side of my ankle. It’s worth massaging the soles of your feet or rolling them on a tennis ball or marbles or something.

With the sore toe, if it was an ingrown toenail I think it would be sore all of the time. It could be you got a slight bruise from a wrinkle in a sock or something and it is still slightly sore, not enough to notice generally, but with the repetitive nature of running it is getting aggravated when you go out.

It is annoying when you have these niggles, but sometimes I find focusing on them makes them seem worse. I used to row and get horrendous blisters on my hands but wouldn’t feel them during sessions because I was concentrating on other things.

Toe banging end of shoe - have you got a good finger width between toe and end of shoe after the run when you feet willl have expanded

Have you tried alternate lacing to stop your feet moving ( sone shoes have a very high eyelet that is good for that )

Wider shoes ?

You need bigger shoes! At least half a size higher.

I think my feet spread/swell as I run

So shorter distances are ok with some shoes, but over 10 miles I have to wear my wide Hokas (Stinson)

I think I may be doing the foot scrunching a little too. I'll go to a foot person to get the toe looked at.

My shoes are wide fit and a whole size bigger than I usually wear!

Alternate lacing - what is that?!

The pain in the ball of your foot- have you looked at things like metatarsalgia? That can cause a hot burning type pain under the ball of the foot. There can be lots of different causes of it.

I can empathise- I always have the same hoka shoe and yet this last pair just don’t feel the same and I am getting sore /rubbed areas between my toes only on the tops. Very frustrating. Particularly when I wear the only wide fitting support shoe pretty much, it’s annoying when the makers of that shoe decide to mess around with it.

I found a site that gives some alternative lacing. I use the heel lock technique as it stops everything coming loose if the knot comes undone.

I also read somewhere that there should be 2 fingers width between the two rows of lace eyelets so check you’re not lacing too light or too loose.
Alternative lacing