Foot problems w/running?

MCinSoCal

Hi everyone.
As my fitness goes, I started off walking and that was ok, though at the time my toes were still sore afterwards, and sometimes I'd get sores on the bottom of my feet. So I'd put my feet up for a bit when done and then jump in the shower and wear comfy sandals afterwards.

Since I've upped my walking to more jogging I've been having problems with my feet, I get little cuts on my toes and even blisters.
Now I have a good pair of running shoes and even got them a half size bigger so they're not too tight on my feet.
Is this a common thing with runners or something I should ask my doctor about?

I do alternate days between, so I'll do 5 miles one day and then the next day I'll do the elliptical at the gym, but my toes never seem to fully heal.

Any thoughts?

tabbydog

Try toe socks. When I started increasing my mileage I got a lot of blisters between my toes. Increasing a half size in the shoe and using toe socks has helped. Good luck!:flowerforyou:

BrianSharpe

In the past 4 years I haven't had so much as a blister.

When you say a "good pair of running shoes" did you go to a specialty store or a big box sports store. It sounds to me like either a problem with your socks or the shoe fit.

MCinSoCal

Try toe socks. When I started increasing my mileage I got a lot of blisters between my toes. Increasing a half size in the shoe and using toe socks has helped. Good luck!:flowerforyou:

Thank you, those would be those soft squishy socks they sell next to all the fitness wear right? I was considering that, I'll go get some today. I forgot to mention I've been using band-aids to wrap my toes and try to help but they usually end up sliding down and offering little protection.

MCinSoCal

In the past 4 years I haven't had so much as a blister.

When you say a "good pair of running shoes" did you go to a specialty store or a big box sports store. It sounds to me like either a problem with your socks or the shoe fit.

I got them from a shoe store not a sports store, but they do have good shock absorption, I know this because one day I accidentally wore my walking shoes to the gym and that was painful.

meerkat70

I'd say you probably need to get proper running shoes, from a proper running shop, where they'll do a gait analysis, check the toebox, etc.

And get some running socks - they should be seamless.

LoraF83

Hi everyone.
As my fitness goes, I started off walking and that was ok, though at the time my toes were still sore afterwards, and sometimes I'd get sores on the bottom of my feet. So I'd put my feet up for a bit when done and then jump in the shower and wear comfy sandals afterwards.

Since I've upped my walking to more jogging I've been having problems with my feet, I get little cuts on my toes and even blisters.
Now I have a good pair of running shoes and even got them a half size bigger so they're not too tight on my feet.
Is this a common thing with runners or something I should ask my doctor about?

I do alternate days between, so I'll do 5 miles one day and then the next day I'll do the elliptical at the gym, but my toes never seem to fully heal.

Any thoughts?

Honestly, it could be that your shoes are a half a size too big. Your feet could be moving around too much. You want them to fit properly. And if you are starting to run, geting a good fitting from a running store could really help. It's definitely something to look into.

tabbydog

Try toe socks. When I started increasing my mileage I got a lot of blisters between my toes. Increasing a half size in the shoe and using toe socks has helped. Good luck!:flowerforyou:

Thank you, those would be those soft squishy socks they sell next to all the fitness wear right? I was considering that, I'll go get some today. I forgot to mention I've been using band-aids to wrap my toes and try to help but they usually end up sliding down and offering little protection.

Use the blister packs instead of regular bandaids. They adhere realy well. Just be sure to soak them before trying to remove them as they stick to the blister as well. I find regular bandaids cause more troubles than they solve.

The toe socks I use are these:

http://www.injinjistore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IS&Product_Code=TPNOSHOW

You can buy them at D!cks to avoid shipping costs.

MCinSoCal

I'd say you probably need to get proper running shoes, from a proper running shop, where they'll do a gait analysis, check the toebox, etc.

And get some running socks - they should be seamless.

hmmmm, i had no idea they would do all that, though that would have to wait until i have more money, shoes are considerably more expensive than socks :P

MCinSoCal

Hi everyone.
As my fitness goes, I started off walking and that was ok, though at the time my toes were still sore afterwards, and sometimes I'd get sores on the bottom of my feet. So I'd put my feet up for a bit when done and then jump in the shower and wear comfy sandals afterwards.

Since I've upped my walking to more jogging I've been having problems with my feet, I get little cuts on my toes and even blisters.
Now I have a good pair of running shoes and even got them a half size bigger so they're not too tight on my feet.
Is this a common thing with runners or something I should ask my doctor about?

I do alternate days between, so I'll do 5 miles one day and then the next day I'll do the elliptical at the gym, but my toes never seem to fully heal.

Any thoughts?

Honestly, it could be that your shoes are a half a size too big. Your feet could be moving around too much. You want them to fit properly. And if you are starting to run, geting a good fitting from a running store could really help. It's definitely something to look into.

I got them that way, because sometimes the feet swell I think...idk, I can see that I do need to get it checked out though, thanks for the reply

IronSmasher

Are you getting enough iron?

meerkat70

for what it's worth, you were probably right to go up a half size... Most people do, for running shoes.

jcreynolds98

If you go to a store that specializes in running and has the ability to fit your foot with the proper shoes, it will help a great deal. I had a store fit me as I have Plantar Facitis, was having shin splints very badly, and my ankles were sore all the time. They were able to fit me with shoes that help with all of this so that I could walk/run without pain.

B_Running

Hi everyone.
As my fitness goes, I started off walking and that was ok, though at the time my toes were still sore afterwards, and sometimes I'd get sores on the bottom of my feet. So I'd put my feet up for a bit when done and then jump in the shower and wear comfy sandals afterwards.

Since I've upped my walking to more jogging I've been having problems with my feet, I get little cuts on my toes and even blisters.
Now I have a good pair of running shoes and even got them a half size bigger so they're not too tight on my feet.
Is this a common thing with runners or something I should ask my doctor about?

I do alternate days between, so I'll do 5 miles one day and then the next day I'll do the elliptical at the gym, but my toes never seem to fully heal.

Any thoughts?

All throughout my marathon training I had issues with blisters. I've tried bandaids, blister bandaids, taping cotton balls to my heels/toes, using vaseline, trying different types of "blister" socks... I went crazy trying everything I possibly could. What has worked for me is medical tape (but NOT the white skinny medical tape). It comes in rolls and in regular tape dispensers. I tape anywhere that I might develop a blister and it works.... until I get into higher mileage (10+ miles)... then the medical tape simply reduces the amount and severity of my blisters.

MCinSoCal

Are you getting enough iron?

I see the doc soon, so I'm going to ask him about this and have him check my iron to see if i'm still anemic like i used to be, thanks for the reminder

MCinSoCal

All throughout my marathon training I had issues with blisters. I've tried bandaids, blister bandaids, taping cotton balls to my heels/toes, using vaseline, trying different types of "blister" socks... I went crazy trying everything I possibly could. What has worked for me is medical tape (but NOT the white skinny medical tape). It comes in rolls and in regular tape dispensers. I tape anywhere that I might develop a blister and it works.... until I get into higher mileage (10+ miles)... then the medical tape simply reduces the amount and severity of my blisters.

Never thought of medical type, if the socks don't help much I shall try that as well, thanks.

And thank you everyone for the input and suggestions, it's been really helpful!

MCinSoCal

for what it's worth, you were probably right to go up a half size... Most people do, for running shoes.

thanks

MissAMcDowell

Be careful about running on hard surfaces, like pavement ,asphalt etc. Try running on uneven ground, could help xox

c2sky

Two things:
1. How quickly are you increasing your running? How much are you increasing it?
2. A trick I learned from my employee who places in most running races. She and I both run a lot, and we are both trainers....but here's the tip. Use antipersperant all over your feet, and in between your toes. Then get cushioned wool socks (usually available at outdoor or sporting good stores.

The first time I used the antipersperant trick, (and I use Secret) I tell people that's my secret, doh.... Anyway, the first time I used it, it was a hot day, and I went on a steep hike, 11 miles roundtrip. All along the trail, I saw people taking off their boots, socks, and treating blisters. People were miserable. We're not used to heat in Washington state. So people didn't really prepare for warm weather and intense hiking.

but I had put secret on my feet, and when I got back to the car, they were comfortable and baby soft. I now use it every time I run more than 3 miles, AND I use it in all areas that chafe on my body. I no longer mess with greasy "body glide" ointments and vaseline. Obviously your body needs to sweat to maintain a safe temperature, but you can eliminate blisters by using this. It really, really works!

mlb929

One thing I had to give up as a runner was feet that weren't beat up a little. It just came with the sport IMO. I'm sure there are options out there, but I view my beat up feet as evidence of my hard work.

c2sky

All throughout my marathon training I had issues with blisters. I've tried bandaids, blister bandaids, taping cotton balls to my heels/toes, using vaseline, trying different types of "blister" socks... I went crazy trying everything I possibly could. What has worked for me is medical tape (but NOT the white skinny medical tape). It comes in rolls and in regular tape dispensers. I tape anywhere that I might develop a blister and it works.... until I get into higher mileage (10+ miles)... then the medical tape simply reduces the amount and severity of my blisters.

Never thought of medical type, if the socks don't help much I shall try that as well, thanks.

And thank you everyone for the input and suggestions, it's been really helpful!

I'm allergic to medical tape, and I get rashes from it. Antipersperant is much more comfortable and affordable. just sayin

lesle1

I don't get blisters. I got fitted at a running store. I love my shoes. They feel great from the moment I put them on. No problems. I try to get the same shoes all the time. Don't know what I'm going to do when they don't carry them anymore. : )

MCinSoCal

Be careful about running on hard surfaces, like pavement ,asphalt etc. Try running on uneven ground, could help xox

Lately I've only been running indoors on the treadmill which should be easier than pavement and such...Maybe I could try the dirt track at the high school in the evenings...

MCinSoCal

Two things:
1. How quickly are you increasing your running? How much are you increasing it?
2. A trick I learned from my employee who places in most running races. She and I both run a lot, and we are both trainers....but here's the tip. Use antipersperant all over your feet, and in between your toes. Then get cushioned wool socks (usually available at outdoor or sporting good stores.

The first time I used the antipersperant trick, (and I use Secret) I tell people that's my secret, doh.... Anyway, the first time I used it, it was a hot day, and I went on a steep hike, 11 miles roundtrip. All along the trail, I saw people taking off their boots, socks, and treating blisters. People were miserable. We're not used to heat in Washington state. So people didn't really prepare for warm weather and intense hiking.

but I had put secret on my feet, and when I got back to the car, they were comfortable and baby soft. I now use it every time I run more than 3 miles, AND I use it in all areas that chafe on my body. I no longer mess with greasy "body glide" ointments and vaseline. Obviously your body needs to sweat to maintain a safe temperature, but you can eliminate blisters by using this. It really, really works!

I have NEVER heard of that! I'm gonna try it as I just so happen to have some "Secret" on hand
Thanks so much for this simple thing to try, I'm always short on money so getting fitted and actually being able to afford new running shoes may not be an option for me...now I just have to figure about the cuts I get between my toes, they're not blisters there, the blisters i get on tops of my toes, in between it just seems like the skin splits and then bleeds like crazy, I tried to ask my Dr about it but he didn't seem to think it was an issue...

MCinSoCal

One thing I had to give up as a runner was feet that weren't beat up a little. It just came with the sport IMO. I'm sure there are options out there, but I view my beat up feet as evidence of my hard work.

I can certainly see the point of view of it being evidence of the hard work, definitely is! Just trying to find some ways to limit the painful toes :glasses:

MCinSoCal

I don't get blisters. I got fitted at a running store. I love my shoes. They feel great from the moment I put them on. No problems. I try to get the same shoes all the time. Don't know what I'm going to do when they don't carry them anymore. : )

Really wish I could do this too!
Btw, what is a running store? Do you mean like Sports Authority or ****s type store or something else, smaller? I suppose I could look just to get an idea, and maybe I could save up... :embarassed:

redrover

I'm not sure if you are wearing the same sneakers for running and elliptical, but give your shoes a day off after working out to give them a chance to dry out. Should be better for your feet.

MCinSoCal

Two things:
1. How quickly are you increasing your running? How much are you increasing it?

Forgot to answer this part.
I started out small with 1 mile, then I got all the way up to approximately 2.5 miles.

That's when I was outdoor jogging, I had to move it inside to the gym and treadmill because I kept getting really awful migraines (I'm a chronic migraine case).
Then I moved up to 3.5 miles, then up to about 4.5 miles
This past month to month and a half I got up to about 5.5 miles which I'm pretty proud of. :happy:
All of the treadmill stuff I do in 65 minutes time, that's including warm-up and cool-down.

Next goal I decided today is to make it the 9 1/2 miles around the lake that's near here. Of course I'm not going to do that all at once, but little by little I want to start training for that as my next goal so I really need to get this foot problem settled for that.

MCinSoCal

I'm not sure if you are wearing the same sneakers for running and elliptical, but give your shoes a day off after working out to give them a chance to dry out. Should be better for your feet.

Yep, I do switch shoes, I have some lightweight walking shoes that I wear when I do the elliptical, thanks