Why do my toes hurt when I run?

markawillis

Every time I run my toes feel like they are going to sleep almost. They get all 'tingly' feeling.and makes my run very uncomfortable. I don't think my shoes are too tight. HELP?

Melis25Fit

This happens when I'm on the elliptical for more than 30 mins. I still can't figure it out!

therealangd

I don't know the answer, but mine get like that too when I use an eliptical machine. But not when I run outdoors or on the treadmill.

joannbuist23

When I started running I had to go up a whole shoe size in order to keep my toes from hurting.

maggiemyst

I would think that its somehow related to blood circulation. I would double check with your Dr. to see what they think...

chrissyh

I had to go up 1/2 size in running shoes.

Go to running store and see what they think - typically the eval is free.

bka8

Mine too! I've been told its about how tight you tie your laces and how you run...i try to distribute the weight differently on my foot and it seems to help, but I'm looking forward to other possible solutions that might come on here!

LessMe2B

Your feet are probably swelling when you run, may need a 1/2 or whole size bigger shoe.

lindalee0315

A couple of things: When on the elliptical, lift your toes up and wiggle them around in your shoes once in awhile during the exercise. It stops the tingling feeling. With running, I got a professional fitting at a local shoe store called Gazelle, and learned that my running shoe size is a full size bigger than my dress shoe size. Once I bought the bigger shoes, my toe troubles ended. (I was getting in-grown toenails and a lot of pain.)

NanBar

Your laces are too tight/or your shoes are too small. Running shoes should be fit 1/2 size big. (and on the elliptical it is almost always laces)

leaw24

I get this! I found this... http://running.about.com/b/2008/07/21/why-do-my-toes-feel-numb-when-running.htm

Generally the same advice, make sure your shoes fit, don't tie your shoe laces overly tight, etc. I'm putting up with it until I can go running shoe shopping as it's not too bad right now.

hroush

My feet went to sleep when I was using my elliptical as well. I found that if I tied my shoes loosely (I like to tie them tight) then I didn't have problems.

BerryH

It might be worth checking your shoes. I have a perfectly comfortable pair, but when I try to run or elliptical in them I get terrible pain and/or numbness. When I switch to my other pair - problem gone!

Dean513

Sounds like it could be a couple of things. Check the soles of your shoes, if they are worn out in the forefoot, its time for new shoes. My toes start to go numb after a couple of miles when my shoes are near the end of their life. You also might think about going a half to an inch larger on your shoes than you normally wear, that will give your foot a little extra room in the front.

jdavis193

I have to go to a physical therapist and she said that make sure you have the right shoes and they fit correctly. "Not what you may think of a shoe fitting".. There has to be enough room, from the tip of your thumb to the end of your thumb nail, your toes should be at the end of your thumbnail. She said all the shoe stores should suggest them to measure and make sure they are the right ones for you. If you are not sure ask someone to.

jdavis193

Oh she also said that if you workout 5 to 6 days a week you need to change your shoes every 6 months.

Starkle09

I had the same problem...try relacing your shoes and different socks. made all the difference for me.

samcee

I had to go up 1/2 size in running shoes.

Go to running store and see what they think - typically the eval is free.

I agree with this! I recently went to a specialist running shop to get an evaluation and I had to go up a shoe size! I brought properly fitted trainers and the difference is amazing.

markawillis

Thanks for all the advice! I just bought new shoes from the new balance store a few weeks ago got fitted and everything. I thought that it would solve my problem, but it didn't, at first. But after reading all you guys comments I realized that it was my laces. Even though I was not tying them tight they were still too tight lower down. I relaced them looser and presto chango, no more numb toes. Thanks everyone, and thanks to MFP for everything. I have lost 16 lbs as of last sunday and now that I've been running I plan to run in my first 5k this 4 July in the Little Rock firecracker 5k.

jwhit31

Oh, I'm so glad I read this post. My toes become numb on the elliptical machine also. I'm thinking it has to be the shoelaces because I do tie them pretty tight. I'll see tomorrow if loosening them will help any.

Hazelbeav

Help! I've got a similar problem. My 2nd and 3rd toes go numb on each foot when I run/walk for over 2 - 3 km

I've always have slightly over flexible joints and have noticed when standing in bare feet, the second and third toe of each foot flatten. The toe joints even try to bend the 'wrong way' when I walk. I think this may be happening when I'm running.

The only thing that has helped is strapping my toes in a slightly bent position before I run.

How can I get this fixed? Do I meed to see a podiatrist or a running shoe people?

judgejava

Incorrect shoes for your running gait or incorrect lace tying or the laces are tied too tight or bad sizing, feet swell during day and as you run

reaolliemama

Agree that's it may be your shoes...most folks need to go up about a size in running shoes...my friend lost 6 toenails while training for a marathon before she went to an actual running store to get sized...she thought it was part of the "cost" of being a marathon runner...it isn't!

Dellie22

I found out recently that my toes naturally curl which was putting extra strain on them . If that's not your problem, then it's more than likely just your shoes are slighty too small .

brookepenni

Question - are your calves tight - like really, really tight all the time? If yes, go see a physio and then perhaps a doctor.

I used to get the worst feeling in my feet, like someone had set my toes on fire when I walked more than 200-300m. The pins and needles were so bad I wondered if my toes were still attached.

I have compartment sydnrome - after lots of tests Ive been referred to a surgeon. Its rare, so chances are you all wont have it - and for most of you, its probably just shoes.... but... With compartment syndrome your nerves can become so damaged you can lose feeling in your feet due to the lack of blood flow and do real damage. Id recommend getting checked out. There is heaps more to the story, but I wish I had learnt what the problem was 5 years earlier rather than spend sooooo much money on shoes all the time! (like every 6-8 weeks) not to mention the pain.

PS - although I still have the problem - after dropping 15kgs and getting regular exercise - its rare I get it now, and the surgeon is happy with my progress hes agreed to defer the surgery for another 12 months to see how I go!

Bekzness

I too get this if I tighten my laces too much, it stops once they slacken up a bit from the running. If it doesn't I just loosen then and it goes pretty quickly.

monkeymouse74

Question - are your calves tight - like really, really tight all the time? If yes, go see a physio and then perhaps a doctor.

I used to get the worst feeling in my feet, like someone had set my toes on fire when I walked more than 200-300m. The pins and needles were so bad I wondered if my toes were still attached.

I have compartment sydnrome - after lots of tests Ive been referred to a surgeon. Its rare, so chances are you all wont have it - and for most of you, its probably just shoes.... but... With compartment syndrome your nerves can become so damaged you can lose feeling in your feet due to the lack of blood flow and do real damage. Id recommend getting checked out. There is heaps more to the story, but I wish I had learnt what the problem was 5 years earlier rather than spend sooooo much money on shoes all the time! (like every 6-8 weeks) not to mention the pain.

PS - although I still have the problem - after dropping 15kgs and getting regular exercise - its rare I get it now, and the surgeon is happy with my progress hes agreed to defer the surgery for another 12 months to see how I go!

My husband (who is 6ft2 and 74kgs) Has the same problem. It runs in his family and his mother, brother, two cousins and aunt all suffer with it. They're all very thin so it's definatly not weight related. It's worth having it checked if you get no joy from loosening shoe laces and going up a shoe size.

Crystler

Hi I've read about this. You need to drink 2000 mg flaxseed oil a day. (2 pills) It 'll help you, it happens to those who excersise extremely, just keep aneye out if you get a black spot or your toe becomes black or blue, you need to drink 6 omega 3/6 pills a day. It happened to an athelete who was use to doing rollerblading.