Runners! Diagnose me!

hellonheels88

I recently started to mix jogging into my 30-60 minute walks after not running since July. I went and bought brand new running shoes that I wore for about a week for walking to help break them in. I was told I was a little flat footed so they had me buy a pair of shoes that offered arch support. They are super comfortable for walking. On Friday I jogged for about 7 minutes (intervals of 1-1.5 minutes while walking). Now I am getting a sharp pain under the little bone bump on the inside of my ankle. Sorry for sounding kind of dumb but I don't know what it's called.

It isn't a constant pain and it is not so horrible that I can't walk. Mostly just when I apply too much pressure when taking a step or if I twist funny during a step. I don't want to run again until the pain goes away and risk further injury, but I want to avoid future injuries by not addressing the cause...make sense?

I'm just wondering if it's the shoe that caused it or if I'm just destined to never run again *insert over exaggeration*. Any ideas/advice?

Thank you!!

hellonheels88

bump? anyone out there?

abrn93

Did you get your shoes at a specialty running store where they actually watch you walk to see what kind you need? Sounds like your shoes don't fit properly...maybe too much arch support...

jrich1

Did you get your shoes at a specialty running store where they actually watch you walk to see what kind you need? Sounds like your shoes don't fit properly...maybe too much arch support...

This..

sounds like your shoes dont support your foot right.

sixisCHANGEDjk

Arch supports kill me but then again I was told I need a neutral shoe (no extra support). Most likely it's the shoes.

StarIsMoving

I would love to help, but that is one spot that I have never had the pain at, so no idea what to tell you to help. Where it is bone-focussed and I have RA, I would be going to doctor to insure it wasn't anything... however, maybe someone else has gone through this and has some insight?

elainecroft

It's really hard to diagnose over the internet, but from my experience breaking in new shoes can make funny aches and pains, but if they don't go away and keep coming back after a few runs, the shoes could be the culprit. Also have found that shoes that are comfy for walking can be terrible for running - finding the right shoe can be tricky!

hellonheels88

I did go to a specialty running store. I wonder what their return/exchange policy in. I might contact them.

LisaWeir74

If you are flat footed why do you need arch supports? I would think I person who has no arch but wears a shoe with an arch would be putting pressure on their foot & forcing it up when it didn't need to do that. IMO, arch supports are for people who have high arches. But of course, I am not an expert.

abrn93

Most will take them back if you did not use them outside.

Jamiewoodle

I may not be the shoe... I had the same problem when I began running and the doc had me wrap it with an ace bandage while I ran. Mine was a result of running too much without the proper build up of supporting muscle. I'm fine now i just should have slowly worked up to it. It can take time for all the many small supporting muscles and such to build up and get used to supporting you while you run.
Also, I had to work on my running posture - Leaning slightly forward and trying not to strike my heals so much. Head up and arms loosly pumping at my sides.

Hope this helps! It's never a bad idea to get it checked out if it continues.

tiptoeketo

I did go to a specialty running store. I wonder what their return/exchange policy in. I might contact them.

Yes, I would go back to the store- sounds like your foot isn't landing properly with the fit.

Heaven71

I was told to break them in for about 100 miles before running distance but it seems you haven't run very far, maybe you need a little more breaking in.

Weathers58

I did go to a specialty running store. I wonder what their return/exchange policy in. I might contact them.

did they put you on the treadmill and analyse your running to recommend the shoes?

Either way take them back and tell them the problem.

Good shoes are a must

Tim

grinch031

Learn proper running form. Strike mid-foot instead of with the heal. Spend a small amount of time running barefoot because it forces you to run properly. The best shoes in the world won't help you if your form is bad.

hellonheels88

If you are flat footed why do you need arch supports? I would think I person who has no arch but wears a shoe with an arch would be putting pressure on their foot & forcing it up when it didn't need to do that. IMO, arch supports are for people who have high arches. But of course, I am not an expert.

I thought the same thing. He said that when I bent my knees, they drew inward slightly. He said arch support would correct that. This was my first time getting fancy shmancy shoes. I will take them back in and see what they have to say.

FrostyBev

From somebody with flat feet I had all kinds of pain during the initial "break in" period of my body getting used to the new arch support. It sounds like an inflamed tendon, something I will always have after a serious ankle injury in 99'.

I'm no Dr. but I can tell you Ice is your best friend. I personally would see if ice after the short runs helps. I bet it will.

If you have never had good arch support and suddenly do it'll take a few weeks for your body to adjust depending on how flat your arches are.

hellonheels88

Thanks for the input guys! Like I said I'm just getting back into after taking 8 months off. I'll give it a little time and try to break them in a little more. And I'll take the advice from the person who said to run barefoot. I never really considered that but it definitely makes sense. I've been working on focusing on my form as well. I feel like a running virgin all over again :-P

kit_katty

If you are flat footed why do you need arch supports? I would think I person who has no arch but wears a shoe with an arch would be putting pressure on their foot & forcing it up when it didn't need to do that. IMO, arch supports are for people who have high arches. But of course, I am not an expert.

Trust me, I have flat feet and I need all the arch support I can get. I ended up with plantar fisciatis and if I don't have arch support ALL THE TIME when I walk, even around the house, I am in pain and can't run, in fact I end up walking on the outside of my feet which pulls my knee which then hurts when I run. Not fun. Please, if you have flat feet, make sure you get enough arch support!

Beth720

I was told to break them in for about 100 miles before running distance but it seems you haven't run very far, maybe you need a little more breaking in.

The majority of modern shoes do NOT need "breaking in". You need to get your feet and legs adjusted to the shoes, particularly if you're changing brands. But the shoes themselves do not need "breaking in".

FrostyBev

If you are flat footed why do you need arch supports? I would think I person who has no arch but wears a shoe with an arch would be putting pressure on their foot & forcing it up when it didn't need to do that. IMO, arch supports are for people who have high arches. But of course, I am not an expert.

I thought the same thing. He said that when I bent my knees, they drew inward slightly. He said arch support would correct that. This was my first time getting fancy shmancy shoes. I will take them back in and see what they have to say.

The forcing "normalization" of the arches does cause the arches to rise and in turn align, the foot, knees, hips and back. It's pretty huge what flat arches affects.

Beth720

Thanks for the input guys! Like I said I'm just getting back into after taking 8 months off. I'll give it a little time and try to break them in a little more. And I'll take the advice from the person who said to run barefoot. I never really considered that but it definitely makes sense. I've been working on focusing on my form as well. I feel like a running virgin all over again :-P

If you're going to try barefoot, you truly are a running virgin when you start that. I have a friend who runs barefoot (or in Vibrams) - she started almost 2 years ago and just in October ran her first half marathon in them (not her first half overall, just her first since transitioning). It was almost a year before she ran a 5K in them. You have to build up SLOWLY. When she started transitioning, she'd run MAYBE 1/4 mile in them and then go back to her other shoes and she gradually built from there.

Just some advice on transitioning to minimalist running.

kaybelmore

Sounds like it could be the shoes, but this might help you get a little more info. It's an app from runners world that let's you pinpoint pain and tells you what the cause could be.

http://www.runnersworld.com/runnersbody/tool.html

hbrittingham

It sounds like you strained the tendon that runs behind and under your ankle bone. I am just recovering from that injury and my first suggestion is to NOT try to push through the pain. I did and had to take a month off from running and a week off from all cardio to allow it to heal. My second suggestion is to return the shoes and have them reanalyze your gait.

mom22qties

I have a very low arch and use my orthodic's every day. When I first got the orthodics I was told to break them in slowly by adding an hour to each day when I first got them until they became comfortable. It takes a long time to adjust, feet are funny things and oh so sensitive. I still have a hard time running. I love to run but I know I will never make it through a marathon because of my feet. Listen to the people at the runner's stores, they have had a ton of training to help you out. Also there is a return policy which is fabulous- b/c they want you to LOVE your shoes. Good Luck.