Help with my feet.

[jazilla]

Having problems with my feet. I have been running for years, ever since the military. Went from running treadmill over the winter and now I'm back outdoors and it feels nice out. Problem, I am having pains in the arches of my feet. I was in the infantry and thought I had walked these arches flat(who know). My shoes are new but they where cheap. They are riddel trail runners. I am wondering maybe the trail runners ain't made for highway miles. My feet don't hurt when I run short distances like 2 miles, but when I do longer like 4 - 6 - 8 I get small pains the next day. Any advice would be appreciated. If all else fails I will get new shoes. That seems to be the obvious.

[Cuffs]

See a podiatrist!

[Footslogger]

In the end you might want to see a specialist. But in the meantime there are a few things you can do on your own. My guess is that the shoes you are wearing allow your arches to settle and flatten too much under load bearing conditions. The muscles in your arch are used to having some support and those new shoes might not be providing it.

Try some footbeds (not foam inserts) in those shoes ...something like a brand called "SuperFeet" and see if that doesn't make a noticeable difference. They stabilize your heels so that you plant and begin your stride on a solid platform and they also provide support so that the muscles in your arch do not get so fatiqued.

By the way ...I'm on old ground pounder too. Airborne Infantry (1/509 PIR - '68 - '71)

'Slogger

[icemanat95]

See a podiatrist for certain. You are going to need some real orthotics to support your feet properly. Cheap shoes are NEVER a good deal, your feet are the foundation of all movement. If the foundation is broken, the structure cannot stand.

[khaynie]

Jazilla,

Are your arches flat or high? I have high arches and run in Asic Nimbus'. I'm training for the Nashville, TN marathon and have been logging some serious miles recently - all highway. I've ran in Mizuno, NB, Nike, and Asic's. Asic's, bar none, have been the best runing shoes I've ever owned. Log on to Asic's website, and figure out what shoe model best suits your foot mechanics.

Maybe that will help...

[icemanat95]

Sore Dawgs are another good option. They generally have a fairly high arch so they take some getting used to. Its a firm footbed rather than a cushion footbed, but they work well.

[allie]

Pay the extra money for nicer running shoes! I didn't believe all the hype but since I spent the money when I run everyday it's much nicer...Find a good shoe store where they can tell you what type of shoe you need (different makes/models fit different running styles (inverted, neutral, etc..) Right now the best running shoes are made by asics (they usually make running shoes for every type of runner) .

[Ridge Rat]

Anoth big thing you can do for your arches is to take Coaches tape and tape around your aches all the way around your foot real tight. Its an old sports medicine thing I used in high school when I ran cross country. It's a quick fix. wouldnt keep doing for too long though

[leeki pole]

Ditto Allie, good shoes. I've logged 29,000 miles over 22 years of running and the extra bucks are worth it in the long run. I run in Asics Gel Kayanos and at $120 a pair (and I go through 3 pair/year) it hurts to shell out the bucks. No serious injuries (knock on wood) yet. Go to a reputable running store and take a pair of shoes that are worn. A good salesman can fit you with exactly the shoe that fits your biomechanics. Good luck!