C25K with plantar fasciitis?

I haven't done the C25K, but I do a ton of walking at work and hike on the weekends. Do you wear plantar fasciitis insoles in your running shoes? That may help. They take a little while to get used to if you don't wear any, but I keep them in all of my shoes now, greatly improves the way my feet feel at the end of the day.

cwolfman13 wrote: »

Honestly one of the top reasons I became a cycling enthusiast...that and I just enjoy it more. But yeah...running was brutal on my plantar fasciitis. Figured it just wasn't worth it if going for a run one day resulted in having to sit on my *kitten* for a week to recover. I can cycle every single day without issue.

Inserts and stretching helped some...but I was usually laid up at least 4 or 5 days after a run which was completely unproductive.

^___ This. If you replace cycling with swimming, that's my story too. I had it badly in 2000, so when it came back in 2016, I knew exactly what it was. The #1 recommended treatment is total rest. That's also totally impossible if you have any kind of life. Running (or any impact) could significantly delay your recovery from this. You just can't out-do it if you're doing weight bearing stuff. I'm a teacher, and just the daily walking around my classroom was excruciating, so trying to add intentional exercise with walking or running beyond that was unthinkable. I was also training to summit Mt. St. Helens in WA state that summer, so I really needed a solution. Search for threads in the fitness/exercise forum. There are many. I have responded to several myself because I always discourage people from trying to work through this. It might work for people who have sort of "arrested" it before it got too bad, but for me, swimming was the only thing I could tolerate. (Oh, and I didn't know how to swim, so that was an adventure...) It might depend on what triggered it for you as well. I overpronate significantly, so for me, inserts in my shoes are a must. There are lots of DO THIS and DON'T DO THIS. When you see them repeated by many people, take the advice.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this as your starting a running program. There is nothing more demotivating than an injury when your motivation and enthusiasm to take on a challenge is high. I would say that it's worth it to take the time you need to get it under control. (and that could be months...) Continuing to work out through pain is just delaying the inevitable.

I think it's different for everyone and depends on how severe your case is. When I get a bad flare up I can't do much besides light walking. And I do seem to get flare ups when I start over doing it on the running and jumping. Compression socks help a lot, as do insoles. And I've learned I can't walk around barefoot ever- if it's more than 10 steps I need to be wearing sneakers. Also, keep up with your foot stretches even when you aren't dealing with a current flare up.

cherys wrote: »

Hi
Has anyone done C25K despite having plantar problems? I'd really like to do it, but my plantar which is currently feeling fine, seems to flare up if I even do a few jumping jacks. I miss that cardio buzz and energy.

Currently doing 3-4 bootcamps a week but all modified with no jumping or running. Also walk 3-4 times a week, 3-6 miles, so average fitness level.

Would love to hear from anyone who managed their plantar fasciitis while doing C25K.

Thank you.

I am!!

I made my 2021 goal to run a 5k this year and this was shocking to many around me because of how bad my feet are (I have a negative arch ). Instead of doing the program to a T, I am stretching it out and am doubling every week so it's actually going to take me 18 weeks instead of the scheduled 9. This gives my body time to get used to the intervals without overtaxing my body. Honestly having GREAT shoes, arch inserts, & and stretching has really helped me. I never jog without stretching my calves and hamstrings as I find that my PF really flares if it don't stretch. Ohh and hydration, I have no idea what the technical link is but my arches KILL me when i'm dehydrated.

I honestly haven't had any issues with my arches after the first 2 weeks (C25K week 1) of the program. It might not be doable for everyone but if you want to do it, I recommend trying it

You can totally do a running program like C25K but you may want to adjust it for you and double each week or something. Along with incorporating stretches/strengthening exercises for PF (I have crazy high arches so I've never struggled with this).....and insoles if needed.

You might also want to think about investing in a good fitting pair of running shoes if you really want to make running a habit though. I'd start by walking longer distances if I were you to see how it feels after a lot of load.

Aw I can totally relate to plantar fasciitis, I dont have advice other than to wear a night boot, and do daily massages with a spiky foot ball. I'm in the same boat, I find that ice packs help alot and I can walk normally without pain for a few hours after leaving my foot on ice for awhile.

maiomaio71 wrote: »

Ditto for the rolling with a spiky foot ball. This worked wonders for me. I also found a method of strapping that worked for me...a combination of two methods shown by physios. And ditto for never having bare feet...I wear supportive shoes all the time. I strap my foot at night and this seems to really help.

By "strapping" do you mean with physio tape? I forgot that I used KT tape wrapped for PF (there are YouTube videos that show this) and it helped a lot. I first tried it right before a 10K when my foot was 85% better. I ran that entire race pain free. I swore that there was unicorn tears in that tape. Amazing. I used miles of that stuff, even when I wasn't running.

Assuming that's what you mean by strapping...

MelG7777 wrote: »

I don’t know if this helps but I’ll share it. I’ve had PF twice. The second time nothing helped. I had it for about 8-9 months. Orthotics. Massaging. Lots of ibuprofen. I watched this and did it and I started having immediate relief. I was considering procedures/surgery it was so bad. I personally don’t even believe in orthotics anymore. I’ve not had a problem since. Good luck. I share this with anyone when they mention PF.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GQhtavGoL6A

Thank you for sharing- I'll have to remember this the next time I get a flare up!

cherys wrote: »

Thank you so much for sharing that video. Brilliant.

Hope it helps! It helped me so much.

MelG7777 wrote: »

I don’t know if this helps but I’ll share it. I’ve had PF twice. The second time nothing helped. I had it for about 8-9 months. Orthotics. Massaging. Lots of ibuprofen. I watched this and did it and I started having immediate relief. I was considering procedures/surgery it was so bad. I personally don’t even believe in orthotics anymore. I’ve not had a problem since. Good luck. I share this with anyone when they mention PF.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GQhtavGoL6A

Wow, when you said "immediate relief" you weren't kidding! 3 minutes and I did feel better!

My first physical therapist used Graston, so I was familiar with it, and almost fell out of my chair when he whipped out the wrench, lol.

Note to others: He makes an important note about technique at @ 5 minutes, so it would be good to watch it through that part before starting.

Early this year I got PF in my right foot to where I couldn't put any pressure on it after being inactive for a short while, until I limped around enough to loosen things up. I watched a video about calf muscle stretches and using a rod as a roller for the bottom of the feet. Then it dawned on me that I have a built in "massage" device on my drafting chair that I sit in for (blank) hours a day. Now massaging the bottom and sides of my feet is a daily habit. I haven't had any PF pain for at least a couple of months now. Most drafting chairs have a full-circle foot rest. Mine (which is the just like the one in link below) has a "C" shaped foot rest, which I like to make use of the rounded corners for more massage pressure at the middle of the soles.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039MIMQU/ref=sbl_dpx_B0039MIMQU_0