Foot Arch Pain

SteveTries

As I saw demonstrated to me on the video analysis of my running gait, I have a neutral left foot and a moderate-to-severe overpronation on my right. Accordingly I wear shoes for overpronation.

At distances above 10kms I start to feel mild pain in my left foot. It's specifically present high on the arch, towards the rear. The same happens in the right foot to a lesser degree at maybe the 15km point. The pain doesn't really get very bad during the run but will be quite uncomfortable some hours afterwards, lasting for a day or two depending on the distance and I'll be notably limping slightly to ease it.

I would say from observation and the wet-foot test that my arches are normal-to-high.

I experience this when wearing my road shoes or my trail shoes.

I don't experience this during shorter runs, pace, sprints, fartleks, hill climbs etc.

I'm obviously assuming that the support in the arch of my shoes which is designed for over-pronation is not compatible with my neutral left foot and is digging into my left, but I thought I would reach out here and see if anyone else has experience with this and can confirm or refute my assumption.

Thanks.

BerryH

I've got high arches and I get arch pain and plantar fasciitis (part of the same structure). I had to go back to neutral cushioned shoes and put Sorbothane insoles in them, which seems to make a difference. Make sure they're laced securely but not too tightly too.

SteveTries

Thanks for that Berry.

I do tend to have my laces fairly loose on my current shoes else after a few kms it starts to feel tight and is off putting. I don't know if that's in any way related.

DontThinkJustRun

Could also be Posterior Tibial Tendonitits...if it is take that seriously! I have it and it's not fun and regardless whenever your foot/feet hurt it's gonna change your naturaly form and over time will likely lead to other injuries. Go see a doctor, don't be like me and wait until a year later and rack up other injuries with it.

SteveTries

I thought I would just take a minute to report back in case anyone had read this and had a similar problem.

Since posting this a few weeks ago I'd have to say the issue has gotten a little worse, or rather there is now mild discomfort even after shorter runs.

Way back in June on a completely uninformed whim I purchased some Airr SofSole inserts ("ooh pretty colours and gel") which have sat in a cupboard unopened since then. On Sunday I decided to give these a go and see if they helped at all. During the first 1km I thought I'd made a big mistake as they didn't feel comfortable at all but this soon passed.

I did 16kms (10miles) and experienced none of the arch pain I've been getting afterwards, not the next day. Over the next two days I did 2 further shorter runs and again no problems either during or afterwards.

Looking to do a 10km run tonight before a rest day tomorrow and am fairly confident all will be good.

BerryH

Glad to hear the insoles worked, mine made all the difference to my problems. I'm disappointed mine are very functional colours now, though!

mlb929

Working on hip strengthening moves can help from your knee colas pong inwards and can cure some over pronation. Also strengthening your feet by going barefoot, working on form as well also can help. Keeping your feet and knees forward and trying to land mid foot also help.