Foot Fuck

I have been overtly experiencing issues with my right foot since 2010, when I was first sidelined with severe foot pain while training for Ultraman Canada.  I have also had issues with my right foot while cycling--a hot spot--when I ride for the earlier of 5 hours or 90 miles.

Over the years, I have had custom run orthotics built twice, I have tried all sorts of insoles in my bike and running shoes, have shimmed my left bike shoe and tried different running shoes all in an attempt to put this to bed once and for all.

I am hopeful I have the final solution now.  Here's the deal:

• When I first started running, I was an overt heel striker.  That is no longer the case for 2 reasons: 1) I weigh less than when I began running in 1998 and 2) I have worked at my run form for years, and part of that work changed me into a midfoot striker.
• When I first started running, I used cushioned shoes (I still wear New Balance exclusively) due to my high arches, but back then, most running shoes had a fairly high rise up to the heel, and now there are many choices all the way down to zero rise.  Over the years, I gravitated towards progressively lighter weight shoes, and tried some with less heel rise and they seemed to just feel better with my new midfoot strike.
• I have Morton's Foot on both feet, meaning the 2nd metatarsal is longer than the first.  You probably have it if your second toe is longer than the first, but not necessarily.  There are all sorts of ways to check if you really have Morton's Foot.  What this does is that without proper arch support, you support your feet on the heads of the metatarsals, which can lead to pain in the ball of the foot and the toes.
• My two feet are different!  My left foot is longer and narrower, and is the one that I need to size my shoes to.  My right foot is shorter and a tiny bit wider.  The length difference is somewhere between 1/4" and 1/2", so in terms of shoe size it's not too bad, but the position of my arches is different on the two feet.

I thought I had nailed it by purchasing Aetrex orthotics that have both arch support plus metatarsal pads, only I was still experiencing ball of foot pain and numb toes regularly, most recently on yesterday's long run where the pain started 9 miles in.  But I have learned to just ignore it and press on.

Meanwhile, I'd purchased separate metatarsal pads to try based on this website.  I finally got around to trying their suggestion about pad placement today.  But, I had to fuck with which base insole would the pads be applied to.  I decided to keep the Aetrex in the left foot because it has a nice arch support, and I lifted a Spenco rigid arch support for my right foot and put the metatarsal pad on it.  I had to play with the pad placement a lot this morning, because at first it will feel all wrong no matter where you put it.

Well, I went for a 5+ mile run, and I had ZERO pain in my right foot!  No numb toes, either.  So fingers crossed, I've licked this.  That website I referenced talks about how many custom orthotics are built plain wrong, and I have a couple of pairs to prove it.

So what are the lessons here?

• Know your body.  Check for your feet being different because many of us aren't symmetrical, and this can lead to all sorts of problems.
• Check if you have Morton's Foot.  If you do and your feet are basically the same, then OTC orthotic should work for you, and I think the Aetrex are fabulous (for my left foot, anyway!).
• If you are using orthotics, don't assume they will work forever.  If you evolve as a runner like I did, odds are what used to work will eventually fail you.  
• Consider what type of running shoes you are using and whether they are really right for you.  Have someone look at your gait honestly.
• Be willing to experiment.

Fucking feet!  I'll keep you updated as I put some miles on myself, but I think I have found my answer!  Perhaps if I'd seen a podiatrist they might have figured this out, but I am not sure they would have.  I did see an ortho and a chiro through the years, neither of which helped.  In the end, it's up to me to determine whether something is actually working or not.

This is great since in 2 weeks I am going on a running binge!!!