View Full Version : Question on running
the squid
03-12-2008, 06:22
I searched, and found nothing pertinent to my specific problem, if I did not search hard enough, I do apologize, as this search was done in haste before class.
When I go on longer (more than 4 miles) runs with my ROTC Bat, about halfway through my feet fall asleep, like your arm when you sleep on it for a few hours and you wake up and you can swing it around like dead weight.
Bear in mind, I contracted two weeks ago, so I just started running regularly again around that time. So maybe this has something to do with it.
Is this normal? And if not, is there any remedy other than sucking it up?
Thanks.
I'm no doctor, but that used to happen to me too whilst I was in college (I was fatter then and hadn't been running regularly either). It doesn't happen to me anymore, since I started running more frequently. I would recommend making running part of everyday life and not wait to run only when you have to. It should go away with time.
I had that problem once, changed shoes (I change running shoes every six months) and it went away.
Go to a geniune running store, where thay can see how much you pronate and pick a shoe that really fits you. I spent allot of years running with the cheapest shoes I could find, that was a mistake! Good running shoes, insoles, boots, etc are investments payoff in performance and less aches down the road.
Ret10Echo
03-12-2008, 07:28
Before the docs come in with suggestions I would agree that you need to take a look at your footwear....and whatever else you are wearing when you run that may be cutting circulation(??)
Red Flag 1
03-12-2008, 08:09
if it worth saying, it will be quoted.
the squid
03-12-2008, 08:20
Squid, It does not sound "normal" to me. I do have a few questions. Do you have any other symptoms, ie. knee pain, hip pain, or back pain, ?
Negative, other than the normal pains associated with running, ie, tightened calves, slight pain from the pounding. No explicit knee/hip/back pain. It's just an issue of the first quarter mile sucking until my legs adjust accordingly.
What other, if any, PT are you doing; ABS, and other upper body PT, any leg strengthning?
I've been PTing regularly for about two weeks, as I said, I just contracted, and now PT is mandatory. I've been doing weight training and running on off days as well so I can get as close to a 300 as possible by LDAC in the summer of 09. But we do mando PT on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Friday we did upper body and sprints, and my feet were a-okay after the sprints.
What is your body weight and how tall are you? What kind of surface are you running on? How often do you run?
5'9, 175ish. We normally run around the neighborhoods surrounding the University, which is all pavement. Today we ran on a trail running parallel to the canal in our city.
How long do the symptoms last? Have you found ways to make this better ? Have you found anything that makes this worse?
Today we did roughly a 4.5 mile run, the symptoms began roughly halfway through, and I began to regain feeling in my feet after the run was over.
Around this time last year I bought a new pair of kicks and began running regularly, this happened a few times, and then stopped. So I'm thinking it just has to do with the fact that I haven't run this regularly in a good stretch, but I read something about "compartment syndrome" on the internet and I get nervous.
I'm actually running on a new pair of shoes, I bought a pair of Asics, because everyone swears by them, and they're comfortable as all hell and work fine, except, well, for the foot issue.
Red Flag 1
03-12-2008, 08:46
if it worth saying, it will be quoted.
the squid
03-12-2008, 12:41
Slight pain from the pounding?????
RF 1
Well, not so much pain, but more . . . unpleasantness.
More or less the natural unpleasantness associated with running.
I think, though, that maybe it's just too much too soon.
I went from running maybe two or three times a month for a good six month stretch to, in the past week, I've run probably 10-15 miles.
All replies have been appreciated.
Red Flag 1
03-12-2008, 13:24
p
Before the docs come in with suggestions I would agree that you need to take a look at your footwear....and whatever else you are wearing when you run that may be cutting circulation(??)
I concur. Do you have the right insoles for those shoes and what is your arch type? How are your shoes laced? Do your heels slip? If you're experiencing any slippage of the foot inside the shoe and you lace too tightly or improperly you can have problems, especially during longer runs. If you're running trails at all you might consider a trail shoe instead.
I own two pair of New Balance 476 trail shoes and I rotate them throughout my run week. This way they don't wear out as quickly and I know if I start feeling something weird it's very possibly related to the pair of shoes in use that day, especially if it happens only in those shoes and more than once.
Just my .02 worth.
Cheers!
Mick
My feet used to fall asleep on longer runs and sometimes ruck marches. I have pretty narrow, long feet, and to keep footware secure I used to have to really wrench down on the laces across the tops of my feet. Once I learned to variably lace (loose over the top of the foot, tight at the foot/leg junction) and bought footwear in narrow sizes, the problem went away.
My feet used to fall asleep on longer runs and sometimes ruck marches. I have pretty narrow, long feet, and to keep footware secure I used to have to really wrench down on the laces across the tops of my feet. Once I learned to variably lace (loose over the top of the foot, tight at the foot/leg junction) and bought footwear in narrow sizes, the problem went away.
You and me both, Brother. It's amazing what the right lacing and proper shoe fit can do for you.
Mick
Red Flag 1
03-13-2008, 11:18
if it worth saying, it will be quoted.
NoRoadtrippin
03-16-2008, 12:07
The people suggesting new shoes are completely right. I'd go so far as to say I'll buy you a case of beer and mail it to you if new shoes don't fix the problem. When you go to the store, make sure they look at your feet with out socks and shoes on, watch you run, and tell you what shoe will work. If you walk in and they say, "so what do you want today" then you are in the wrong place. They are trying to sell shoes, not make you a healthier runner. Once you get the new ones on your feet, go run in them outside before you buy them. Try to focus on any new pains in your ankles, feet, knees that might foreshadow that you are wearing a pair that won't work for you. If everything seems fine then go with them.
I would recommend straight lacing whatever you do get. This takes pressure of the sides of your feet and can solve your problem among others. They should be able to do it at the store. Some people don't need it, but it tends to be almost universally a better idea that criss crossing the laces all the way up.
Also, consider asking your sales people to cut the soles of the shoes. The store I shop at, swears by it, and so do I as I've seen it remedy my shin splints immediately. I can send you a picture to show you what I mean if you like. Basically cutting allows your feet to flex as they want to and takes a lot of stress out of your legs.
Just some tips from a guy who has had his fair share of painful legs from running!
True Believer
12-29-2008, 00:17
Just to shed some light on an old thread. I am a firm believer in buying new running shoes every six months but it is usually done so by going to some sports store and trying all of their $100-130 running shoes and buying the most comfortable. Not to say they were not a good shoe.
Recently, I purchased a pair from Fleet Feet ( http://www.fleetfeetsports.com/) where they look at the pronation/supination of your feet while running and walking/hiking. Probably the most comfortable running shoe I have ever worn and recommend Fleet Feet or any equivalent to any skill level runner.
Another good site referenced by WM is Runners world. In the below link, there are articles that are useful in understanding basic foot mechanics and diagnosing common foot problems associated with selection of shoes.
http://www.runnersworld.com/subtopic/0,7123,s6-240-319-326-0,00.html
Just my $.02
hunteran
12-29-2008, 00:59
I had a similar problem with my racing flats and I was able to solve it by lacing my shoes differently. I would tighten my laces as much as possible so my flats felt like a part of my feet and often my foot would go numb. I ended up changing the way I laced my shoes and it worked wonders. It's called Lydiard Lacing and here is a site that describes how to do it. http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/straightbarlacing.htm