Lurker question: Pain in the balls of my feet

dmlk413 · April 2012

Has anyone had issues with a lot of pain in the balls of your feet when running? I am training for my first half marathon and am having some major issues. The balls of my feet were bothering me during my runs and after talking to some friends and researching online, I decided to try new shoes. They were awful and after running a miserable 10 miles in them, I took them back and went back to my old shoes for my runs last week.

I went to an actual running store and got fitted for another new pair of shoes over the weekend. I tried them out today and only made it three miles before my feet were hurting like crazy! I set a PR during a 10 mile run on Saturday in my old shoes so I am starting to think it's not the shoes (I had some pain towards the end but not a lot). Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this? I have been working my butt off and now I am freaking out that I won't make it to the race in two weeks. TIA.

JW28 · April 2012

I think it could still be your shoes. If your old ones are really old, the cushioning may be all flattened out, which is why the balls of your feet feel like they're taking a pounding. Are the new shoes that you tried out the same model as your old ones? New shoes take a few runs to break them in fully, and usually I don't go for long runs in them until they're broken in and my feet are used to them. They might also feel strange/painful because they've got more support than your broken down old shoes (which used to have support). I was lucky to find shoes that I liked when I was a teenager and have been wearing the same model line for 10 years - once you find a pair of shoes that works, keep buying them every 500 miles. I walk around in worn out running shoes, but I only run in them for 500 or so miles before they feel worn out.

EssaL · April 2012

Do you have any other symptoms other than pain? Inflammation and swelling, numbness or tingling?

If you don't have any other symptoms, I wonder whether you're lacing your shoes too tight or if you have some knee or leg misalignment.

If you have swelling or numbness, I'd run to the doctor to get checked for gout or nerve issues.

dmlk413 · April 2012

No tingling or numbness, just feels like the balls of my feet are on fire. The old shoes I have had since February (asics 1170) and the new shoes are asics cumulus. Should I give the new shoes another shot tomorrow and see what happens?

septemberdreams · April 2012

I had that issue a couple of years ago-only in one foot. I don't know what caused it but thought it could be that I needed new orthotics so I had to wait a month to get new ones and took a running break and when the new ones arrived the pain was gone. So sorry no real advice.

mrs.mary&jesse · April 2012

Likely neuromas, could be multiple things that cause this including over training, form, strength issues, postural issues, etc. Ice, rest, physical therapy. Your PT should be able to advise you further.

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