Feet Go Numb While Running

Chowder_17
Chowder_17 Posts: 141 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I went to a running store about 3wks ago to get fitted for some new shoes. They determined that I overpronate and told me to get Asics GT 2170 shoes which cost me $118. Well, I've ran about 8 or so times in them in the 1.5-3mi range for each run and everytime once I get to the 1-1.5mi mark the balls and toes on my feet go numb, kinda like the pins and needles feeling. I've tired switching to thinner socks (I now have under armor running socks) and not tying my laces as tight and so far nothing has worked.

I'm wondering if anyone else has any ideas of what else I can do? I'm not sure if its the shoes or if something is wrong with my feet and I should make a doc appointment? I don't want to be out $118 and my Air Force PT test, which includes a 1.5mi run is in a month.
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Replies

  • c_hampagne
    c_hampagne Posts: 9 Member
    Do you run outside or on the treadmill? Also, do you get tingling when you're not running?
  • LBachynsky
    LBachynsky Posts: 64
    Tag to find out the answer. This happens to me with any cardio exercise and is quite painful, but I push through it. I've had trainers and doctors just shrug and say I must have poor circulation.
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    It may be due to the new foot position you are forced to use in the new running shoes, and once you've adjusted you'll be fine. But I can't say for sure! You may want to visit a podiatrist to be sure.
  • jillthemom
    jillthemom Posts: 31 Member
    This happened to me when I got new shoes, too. AfterI broke them in it went away. It probably took a week. I also loosened the laces.
  • Chowder_17
    Chowder_17 Posts: 141 Member
    Do you run outside or on the treadmill? Also, do you get tingling when you're not running?

    I run either outdoors or on an indoor track. So far, it's only happened while running and begins at the 1-1.5mi run.

    I've done about 8-10 runs in them varying from 1.5-3mi each time, so I figured they would be broken in by now.
  • amyaroja
    amyaroja Posts: 63 Member
    You should definitely try different shoes right away. the store should let you exchange them.
  • broadbean01
    broadbean01 Posts: 1 Member
    I've just swapped to these from my trusty Brookes and have the same thing. For me I think it was the change in shoe, I find it goes once I get past the 2 mile mark.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Was it a true running store or was it a sporting goods store?

    If you were fitted properly for your shoes you should never have to break them in and you shouldn't have any problems. I'd go back to the store and return them. I get my shoes from Fleet Feet which is a running shoe store where I got fitted and I have never once had to break in new shoes.
  • ritmeyer
    ritmeyer Posts: 136 Member
    I had that happen with my left foot only in a pair of new balance once I hit over 5 miles. Never in my Brooks. My left foot is bigger than my right. I'd go back to the store and get a different pair of shoes. Make sure it's a running store!!
  • mamitosami
    mamitosami Posts: 531 Member
    I had that for years... I wear a size 10 in alllll shoes, so I bought a 10 in running shoes always. Someone suggested that I get a size bigger... duh! Never, in 16 years of running did I think of this!!! It worked like a charm! I've never had numbness in my feet since!!!
  • ritmeyer
    ritmeyer Posts: 136 Member
    I had that for years... I wear a size 10 in alllll shoes, so I bought a 10 in running shoes always. Someone suggested that I get a size bigger... duh! Never, in 16 years of running did I think of this!!! It worked like a charm! I've never had numbness in my feet since!!!

    I hear you!!! I'm a 10, but I now wear siz 11 running shoes. My feet also got bigger after having my 2 kids.
  • momto1g1b
    momto1g1b Posts: 118 Member
    That used to happen to me too, until I bought new shoes that were wider.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    check your lacings.

    Asics tend to run quite narrow, so if you have narrow shoes and tight laces, constriction can cause numbing.
  • projectconsistency
    projectconsistency Posts: 44
    Bigger shoes solved that problem for me. Good luck!
  • skinnyack
    skinnyack Posts: 683
    My guess is they are too narrow. Our feet expand a lot during running/ exercise. Try something WIDE and LIGHTER WEIGHT. Also what kind of shoes were you wearing before? Are these lighter/heavier? Did they have different treads? Did they try to correct your foot or let your stride be what it is? What kind of shoes do you wear daily (like to work)? If the shoes are very similar style/function wise to the past shoes it's probably these are just too narrow. If this is a dramatic change, yikes- go back to something more like the old ones (unless you were having issues before). If you don't think it's the shoes- Do stretches/exercises to help strengthen/stretch your lower back and hips. Spine Misalignment there will make the feeties go numb (speaking from experience- not fun).
  • hsrunningmom
    hsrunningmom Posts: 134 Member
    I had that happen to me when I first started running. For me, it got worse and not better. I ended up going back to the running store that fitted me and told them my issues. They fitted me for different shoes and let me exchange them for a pair of Brooks. I went with a wide size because I need room for my toes. I also found if the socks were pulled really tight against my toes it would aggravate the issue. Hope you find some relief.
  • CharlottetheHarlot
    CharlottetheHarlot Posts: 34
    I have the very same issue however, I was involved in two motor vehicle accidents last year and suffered lower back injuries and SI joint trauma. I went to a Chiropractor for a gait analysis and I have collapsed metatarsal arches (the arch that runs from your big toe to your baby toe). I ordered insoles for my sneakers that have a built in metatarsal pad and it took some getting used to but the numbness is going away.

    By the way, I have the same sneakers as you. I also purchased a pair of New Balance Runners and I love them. They are extra light-weight and wide for my duck feet.

    Best of luck, I know how painful numb toes and pads can be.
  • momswanson
    momswanson Posts: 76 Member
    I had this problem. I went to Fleet Feet for new shoes and not only did they fit the shoes to my feet, but they watched me walk for quite a while to figure out what shoe would be best. They gave me a larger shoe than I usually wear, and I have not had a problem since! I was told by the salesperson at Fleet Feet that shoes that are too small cause the numbness. I hope this helps.
  • czmmom
    czmmom Posts: 236 Member
    My toes were hurting me when I hit the 4.5 mile mark... While I am not a wide foot person, I am a little wider than normal. I also needed to get a whole size bigger than I normally wear. I had originally bought half a size bigger. Once I got a different size, I have been fine.
  • Saruman_w
    Saruman_w Posts: 1,531 Member
    This happens to me too. Although it doesn't start as soon as it used to, but inevitably it does set in after prolonged running. I've always looked for ways to fix that.
  • kyt1206
    kyt1206 Posts: 101
    Your circulation is getting cut off - your foot is using up all the available energy and after that 1 mile mark, it's run out of what ATP it can pull in the immediate vicinity, hence you're getting numbness and tingling - it's telling you it's low on energy.

    Go to a Running shoe store, like Fleet Feet, get sized properly, go run again :)
  • SofaKingRad
    SofaKingRad Posts: 1,592 Member
    My feet tend to do this on the ellipitcal. I started tying my shoes a little looser and it helped a bit.
  • GasMasterFlash
    GasMasterFlash Posts: 2,206 Member
    Could you be pregnant, or maybe diabetic?
  • bilzprincess
    bilzprincess Posts: 107 Member
    This happens on the AMT machine (low impact)' happens when I run on treadmill, happens when I run in streets. One size larger shoe hasnt stopped it, and I'm just sucking it up. Which is foolish--I just didn't think there was a solution. I may ask at the running store to fit me for a wider Brooks shoe. I'm at about 100 miles left on these shoes. I am excited to find out if just a wider shoe cld so easily solve it!
  • lovelee79
    lovelee79 Posts: 362
    Bump.
    My feet often go numb on the elliptical, but not when I run. I hate the feeling and always wondered what was wrong with my feet :(
  • kwest_4_fitness
    kwest_4_fitness Posts: 820 Member
    Just a quick note, your feet may swell after you're into your run, causing your shoe to restrict circulation. This happened to a friend of mine who ended up going to a running shoe "expert" who would get down on the ground to watch him walk, measured his foot from a bazillion different angles and made him run on a treadmill. When all was said and done, he handed my friend a size 11 shoe while my friend adamantly told him that no, he wears a size 10.5. Shoe man said doesn't matter for running shoe, said foot is size 10.5 for church, for around the house, for work, but is size 11 for running. He told my friend his feet swell when he runs and that he needs the extra room to allow for the swelling.

    Shoe man was right. My friend had no more tingly, achy feet.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Go back and talk to them. That's one of the advantages to dealing with a running store. They will help analyze the problem, and likely swap them out for a something different.
  • tammiemcdonald
    tammiemcdonald Posts: 1 Member
    Hi. I had that - tried new shoes (Asics the best). To no avail. Then i went to podiatrist and he said i have flat feet. Since ive had orthodics, i dont get pins and needles in my feet anymore (or lose sensation).
  • todaysanewday
    todaysanewday Posts: 91
    I had that for years... I wear a size 10 in alllll shoes, so I bought a 10 in running shoes always. Someone suggested that I get a size bigger... duh! Never, in 16 years of running did I think of this!!! It worked like a charm! I've never had numbness in my feet since!!!

    I have to tell you, I was a Women's Shoes Buyer for Nordstrom for years so I know a thing or two about shoes and sneakers. If you run, I highly recommend you buy one and a half sizes larger (at the very least one size larger, I happen to prefer one and a half) than you normally wear in shoes. The sneaker is designed to have those extra holes to lace up all the way up your ankle so that the laces are tied and keep your heel in place at the back of the sneakers while your toes in the front are roomy and comfortable while you are running. I can guarantee having a larger size sneaker will help you without a doubt :)
  • mybiketrip
    mybiketrip Posts: 239
    Hey! I think this might help.

    When I tie my shoes too tight they cause my feet to become tingly and numb, so I loosen the laces a bit and they fit much better.

    I also read in a running book... Either "The complete book of running" or "The lore of running" I cant remember.... that some people will have two sets of laces in their shoes (cutting them down to size) where one of them overs the toe-midfoot lace holes, and the second one covers the midfoot to top lace holes. This enables you to loosen/tighten the shoes grip on both parts of your feet until you find a good lace tension which works for you.

    Happy running!

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