Running with flat feet...pain in arch (and around arch)

Fieldsy
Fieldsy Posts: 1,105 Member
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm flat footed and recently started jogging longer distances than usual (3-4 miles at a time). I am starting to notice I have some swelling and soreness in my left foot near the arch. I just got a nice pair of new running shoes and athletic insoles.

Where I have been running has a lot of hills. I heard running downhill can cause irritation with your feet since your shoe stops, but the feet want to keep moving forward.

What I am getting at is just wondering if anyone has any advice for me. I love jogging early in the mornings now, and its helping me lose weight.....but its starting to get painful.

Replies

  • amy4586
    amy4586 Posts: 96 Member
    i have the exact same problem and I definitely feel your pain! My feet are constantly bothering me and I know how hard it is to find a pair of shoes that actually feel good. That pain u feel where our arch should be is the worst, and the one shoe i have found to be most supportive for me are shose "shaper shoes" made by Rebook (or however the heck u spell it, I'm too lazy to go look it up) called simply toned. love love love them!!
  • JoolieW68
    JoolieW68 Posts: 1,879 Member
    Did you go pick out your own shoes or go to a shoe store that 'fit' your feet by watching you walk? Getting them fit and having specific shoes picked out for your stride made a HUGE difference for me.
  • chuckles217
    chuckles217 Posts: 123 Member
    I got fitted at a local new balance store. They had specific insoles with Metatarsal support (a huge memory foam pad that sits right under the arch) and that combined with a pronation correcting running shoe has solved my issues.

    It was awkward at first and hurt, but after about two weeks of running it has felt soooo good! I think the first two weeks my feet were correcting themselves because I've noticed that my arch seems stronger when walking barefoot and my plantar fasciitis is much less painful following running days or days I am on my feet a lot.
  • sullymanjohn
    sullymanjohn Posts: 101
    Jogging barefoot in the grass/sand once or twice a week worked wonders for me. I have the opposite problem in that my arch is HUGE, but it seems from a sensible point that it would help you. Doing this helps strengthen those little muscles in your feet and calves that help stabilize you and prevents the pain (or so I'm told, but, hey, it's working for me)!
  • 1fitmamaof3
    1fitmamaof3 Posts: 6
    Honestly, I had the same problem Untill I bought a pair of vibram five fingers. It eventually forced my feet to increase in strength and start Landing on my soles instead of my heels. I am now pain free. Your foot is a muscle. Treat it like one. Instead of buying shoes with an arch. Help build your arch by walking around your house shoeless and wearing your vibram five finger shoes as often as possible
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    New Balance 927 are great for this... I was in the same boat but these shoes got rid of all my issues...... Can get them on Amazon for 99.00 (regular 130) with free shipping...... They have Roll Bar technology and nice support for people with flat feet problems... Good Luck.....
  • Colbyandsage
    Colbyandsage Posts: 751 Member
    You may have planter faciatis. I have it and it is worse in the mornings. Last yr, I could barely walk when I woke up. I have Brooks runners now and it helps but not 100%. Google planter and it will show u stretches, etc. I spent a yr buying different shoes that people recommended but my advice is go get fitted :)
  • Fieldsy
    Fieldsy Posts: 1,105 Member
    So what shoe stores have people that know how to fit your feet with the right shoe for problems like these?

    My feet are also wide and I thought maybe I just needed a wide running shoe, but stores like Kohls do not have them.

    Thanks for the suggestions!
  • Fieldsy
    Fieldsy Posts: 1,105 Member
    Also, what kind of price am I looking at?
  • JoolieW68
    JoolieW68 Posts: 1,879 Member
    I bought mine at a store called Gazelle's, but another one is Striders. Not sure if you have those nearby. They specialize in workout/sports shoes.

    When I first started working out I bought a pair of Reeboks from a local DSW (think Shoe Warehouse) for close to $100. They gave me blisters and the inside of the heel wore out pretty fast (and i was just walking at the time). I kept them, though....

    When it was time for the next pair, I went to Gazelle's and they suggested a few specific pairs to try, based on my stride. I spent $100 on those, too, and it was the first pair of shoes I've ever had that didn't hurt my feet from the very first time I wore them. Just bought my 2nd pair, too, since I put over 400 miles on the last ones.
  • Fieldsy
    Fieldsy Posts: 1,105 Member
    What do they check for when fitting you for a shoe? Do they make you go on a treadmill?
  • JoolieW68
    JoolieW68 Posts: 1,879 Member
    No, they watch you walk away from them and back to them a couple of times. They watch to see how your feet are placed, if your foot turns in or out, etc. My feet overpronate so they recommended a shoe to correct that. This might help a little for what that means:

    http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319-327-7727-0,00.html
  • Fieldsy
    Fieldsy Posts: 1,105 Member
    Thanks!
  • lacroyx
    lacroyx Posts: 5,754 Member
    1st off congrats on the loss. I wanna shoot for what you are weight wise now.
    I too have flat feet. Size 15 width 2E. I started running at a much heavier weight. Mostly out of stubborness and a big F U to all the doubters and haters in my life saying I was too fat to run.

    top 2 brands for me are Brooks and New Balance.

    as for shoe slippage I found this handy and helped me out
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIK1zgozm6w
  • thpeek
    thpeek Posts: 76
    I have the same problem but I am NOT flat footed so I went to a Athletic Store and consulted with their foot and shoe specialist and stood on a computer thingy that measures your feet and gives you a diagnoses along with the specialist watching me walk......... It turned out that I way over pronate and I needed stability shoes for running and race walking. The dude recommended Asic's. I also stretch out my tendons each morning before and after I walk or run. My Medical Doctor also a former track coach told me that I needed to drink more fluids and I noticed this also helped with my arch pain and cramping.
  • Fieldsy
    Fieldsy Posts: 1,105 Member
    I went to a store and got Saucony Progrid 4. The guy there had me try on about 4 pairs of stability running shoes and these felt the best. I don't think he was watching how I walked or anything, so I am hoping these will be okay. They were 100 on sale for 80. If these end up not doing it for me, then next time around I will see a specialist. I honestly think I was running in the wrong shoe for me...they were trail shoes I believe...

    Thanks for all the advice!
  • JoolieW68
    JoolieW68 Posts: 1,879 Member
    I have Saucony's too and love them.
  • Fieldsy
    Fieldsy Posts: 1,105 Member
    Do you find it more hard on your feet when you run in hilly areas?

    I love running at this one state park, but I think the hills are part of why my feet are really hurting. Running on the treadmill seems to be much easier. I know its better than concrete. Maybe I should try running on flat concrete to see what happens.
  • JoolieW68
    JoolieW68 Posts: 1,879 Member
    I only run outside when it's nice (above 60 degrees) so all winter am using my treadmill. I've done this mostly for my knees, but believe the combination of the treadmill and shoes have helped my knees significantly. Well, that and the weight loss :)

    When I do run outside I don't notice any particular issues if I'm running a less flat course or not, though.
  • Fieldsy
    Fieldsy Posts: 1,105 Member
    I was just watching a few videos on this surgery where people have implant on their feet to give them arches. It sounds painful!
  • Hilary75
    Hilary75 Posts: 90 Member
    How are the new shoes treating you? I'm a flat-footed, overpronator runner. My last couple pairs of shoes have been New Balance and they've been great for my feet.
  • Fieldsy
    Fieldsy Posts: 1,105 Member
    I only used them once when my foot was already in some pain...Im gonna take a few days off and then I will let you know.
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