Running shoes or insoles?

[spotty_dog]

I've had an on-again off-again relationship with running for the past 13 years. My main problem for the past few years is that my body is just falling apart! If it's not one thing it's another, but lately my feet are just a complete mess. My big toe is arthritic and my plantar fibromas (self-diagnosed) are causing my plantar tendons to ache horribly. After even just a long walk, I wake up the next morning almost unable to get out of bed. I was going to see a podiatrist this spring, but now I'm reluctant to do a nonessential healthcare visit so I'm SOL there.

I really, really need to get back to running. I miss it and my dog does too! I'm walking and hiking a good bit but I really need to be able to set goals and see improvement and running has always done that for me. So, can anyone suggest an over the counter solution that would help keep me going? There are so many orthotics/insoles out there, and I also have my eye on those really big squishy Hoka shoes. I bought in to the Born to Run thing about barefoot running way back when, so I always leaned toward less-padded shoes and mid-sole stride and sometimes even running literally barefoot around my grass. But with the way my fibroma things have swollen, literal barefoot is really NOT an option any more, and something just has to give.

I'd love to hear what works for y'all if you've ever had foot trouble and kept running!

[SoonerTexan]

Yes, a combination of the right shoes (took a few tries) AND inserts helped me so much. The local running store was helpful for this. Brooks Glycerin are my new go-tos, but I notice a difference in each iteration and have had to change.

But, I've also noticed that the only way I seem to get past plantar fascitis is just to keep running through it and use a cold foot roller after it. Eventually it fades away, but when I kept trying to baby it and stopped running to "rest" it just kept hurting.

[Phoebe]

Would you consider seeing a podiatrist or a sports medicine dr? I have an arthritic big toe and other stuff. Orthotics do help.


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[spotty_dog]

Would you consider seeing a podiatrist or a sports medicine dr? I have an arthritic big toe and other stuff. Orthotics do help.

I had plans to see the podiatrist (or maybe orthopedist) this spring, but...at this point I have no idea who's open for non-urgent appointments and also have no idea how comfortable I am with going into a clinic at this point. Same with visiting a running store. :\ I think if I want to run this spring/summer I'm going to need to figure something out OTC, at least for starters. I'm glad to hear that orthotics help your toe, Phoebe!

The fibroma-related foot stuff is not quite like fasciitis, which I've also had. It's more just an overall tightness across the whole bottom of my foot but focused in the middle-bottom, vs. the more shooting pains from the heel. Calf stretches help, but in the mornings I just hobble really painfully until I get around to doing them. I really need to add stretches to my after-exercise routine as well.

[MDPhDWife]

I was going to suggest a running store and/or podiatrist visit as well, but I completely understand your hesitancy currently. I have gone to both before and used orthotics, but my issues are plantar fasciitis, so it is a different ball of wax. I used to roll my feet on a tennis ball or even a baseball when I had pain, not sure if that will help? I swear by my super padded shoes like the Brooks Ghosts or the Asics Cumulus. The Brooks website has a quiz you can take that will guide you to finding the best style for your foot/gait. I haven’t ever tried Hoka’s, but some of my friends love them.


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[spotty_dog]

I was going to suggest a running store and/or podiatrist visit as well, but I completely understand your hesitancy currently. I have gone to both before and used orthotics, but my issues are plantar fasciitis, so it is a different ball of wax. I used to roll my feet on a tennis ball or even a baseball when I had pain, not sure if that will help? I swear by my super padded shoes like the Brooks Ghosts or the Asics Cumulus. The Brooks website has a quiz you can take that will guide you to finding the best style for your foot/gait. I haven’t ever tried Hoka’s, but some of my friends love them.

Ooh, I've run in Asics for several years now. That might be a good way to enter into the realm of super-padded shoes. Thanks!!

[spotty_dog]

(Update, I bought the Asics version of maximum-padded super-stabilizing shoes for flat-footed over-pronators, LOL. I couldn't find the particular model for under $100, and was reluctant to splurge, but my husband was on board since I can return them if they don't work. I'm so excited and hopeful! I miss the way I feel when I'm running regularly, and I miss being able to exercise my dog with long steady distance instead of the sprintwork he gets when he mainly fetches all the time. Thanks to everyone!!)

[houseelf]

my body is just falling apart! If it's not one thing

Girl, same. This winter it was my right rotator cuff from yoga. Currently my piriformis syndrome is killing me. I'm almost afraid my leg will give out because it hurts so bad. I can lay down or stand but not sit without sciatica and my right ass cheek quivering. It takes my breath away.

But Get you a tens unit STAT. They're reasonably priced on amazon. I go around zapping my ass all day long and that helps.

I'm gong to start sending out nudes of my right ass cheek to anyone remotely connected to health care to help me solve this. (Nudes...but far from the fun kind., just one pasty white ass cheek that spontaneously contracts.

Anyhoo, good shoes are everything. I know you skew thrifty, but you may have to try a few different pairs. Some running stores permit you a 30 day trial. Also, once you find your "magic sauce" (e.g. I need a larger toe box and stability/neutral), try that combination in another brand. Alternate shoes on days that you run. Getting old isn't for sissies.

[spotty_dog]

Girl, same. This winter it was my right rotator cuff from yoga. Currently my piriformis syndrome is killing me. I'm almost afraid my leg will give out because it hurts so bad. I can lay down or stand but not sit without sciatica and my right ass cheek quivering. It takes my breath away.

But Get you a tens unit STAT. They're reasonably priced on amazon. I go around zapping my ass all day long and that helps.

I'm gong to start sending out nudes of my right ass cheek to anyone remotely connected to health care to help me solve this. (Nudes...but far from the fun kind., just one pasty white ass cheek that spontaneously contracts.

Anyhoo, good shoes are everything. I know you skew thrifty, but you may have to try a few different pairs. Some running stores permit you a 30 day trial. Also, once you find your "magic sauce" (e.g. I need a larger toe box and stability/neutral), try that combination in another brand. Alternate shoes on days that you run. Getting old isn't for sissies.

OMG I've had something sciatica-like before and I can't imagine butt spasms and nerve pain and UGH. Bodies. I'm so glad you have a butt zapper at least!!

When I run regularly I wear decent shoes and retire them after 250 miles. But the last few times I needed to buy new, I could find an older model, in the line that already worked for me, at the $60-70 price point. Instead...I just paid $120 for shoes! What is the world coming to?! But to be honest I'm in a total retail therapy mindset at the moment. Bring on the spending. It's not like we're going to spend on traveling any time soon.

[MarissaNicole]

I didn't read the prior responses, but I'm a fan of the HOKA shoes, but check out the different styles. For example I have an issue with pronating so the Gaviota's work well for me. I'm actually waiting for my new pair to arrive. I wear the Hoka recovery sandals inside as slippers in the summer because my feet and legs hurt to much if I try and go barefoot.

[spotty_dog]

I didn't read the prior responses, but I'm a fan of the HOKA shoes, but check out the different styles. For example I have an issue with pronating so the Gaviota's work well for me. I'm actually waiting for my new pair to arrive. I wear the Hoka recovery sandals inside as slippers in the summer because my feet and legs hurt to much if I try and go barefoot.

Ooh, stabilizing house shoes is probably a step I need to take too. Barefoot around the house isn't a good thing these days and my fleece slippers don't quite cut it for support.

[PrincessFiona]

Have you considered an evaluation for custom orthotic inserts? Zoe was having a terrible time with running during soccer, etc. her orthotics have made a huge difference.

Kris


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[SoonerTexan]

@spotty_dog, these were the inserts I was told to buy. My foot pain presents similarly. You'd have to know what your foot profile is though

https://www.amazon.com/currex-RunPro.../dp/B07L8JYN12

[spotty_dog]

Have you considered an evaluation for custom orthotic inserts? Zoe was having a terrible time with running during soccer, etc. her orthotics have made a huge difference.

Kris

Yeah, I was ready to finally visit the podiatrist and see if something like that would work, and it was on my to-do list for the spring. But...stuff happened, and I don't think I'll be going for a non-essential healthcare visit for a few months. :\

My husband suggested pinging our friend who's a sports med doctor and seeing if he'll do a remote consult, so I may do that just to see if he agrees with my self-diagnosis, if he has any specific exercises or OTC orthotics, and if he thinks I should pre-medicate with NSAIDS or something for the toe joint pain. (I still haven't completely ruled out gout, or post-gout arthritic changes, for the toe joint TBH. It runs in my family bad enough that my aunt gets it, and it started a few years ago when I was in Hawaii drinking a lot of beer and eating a lot of shrimp and steak. So who knows.)

I ran today! It wasn't as bad as I remembered, and I think the new shoes helped! Moment of truth will be to see if I'm unreasonably stiff when I wake up. I did stretch really well after I got back, so fingers crossed.

[PrincessFiona]

Yeah, I was ready to finally visit the podiatrist and see if something like that would work, and it was on my to-do list for the spring. But...stuff happened, and I don't think I'll be going for a non-essential healthcare visit for a few months. :\

My husband suggested pinging our friend who's a sports med doctor and seeing if he'll do a remote consult, so I may do that just to see if he agrees with my self-diagnosis, if he has any specific exercises or OTC orthotics, and if he thinks I should pre-medicate with NSAIDS or something for the toe joint pain. (I still haven't completely ruled out gout, or post-gout arthritic changes, for the toe joint TBH. It runs in my family bad enough that my aunt gets it, and it started a few years ago when I was in Hawaii drinking a lot of beer and eating a lot of shrimp and steak. So who knows.)

I ran today! It wasn't as bad as I remembered, and I think the new shoes helped! Moment of truth will be to see if I'm unreasonably stiff when I wake up. I did stretch really well after I got back, so fingers crossed.

Just take it easy until you have more answers. If you can’t run, try fast walking. Also, ice may help after a run. My mom swears by cbd oil for her foot pain. I tried it and it did nothing.


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