Foot going numb while running

[jchokie79]

I started running a couple of weeks ago. I've been doing 3 mile runs both outdoors and in. I ran five times last week and three so far this week. I got fitted for running shoes and love them.

However on the trail today, I practically had to stop running because my left foot was going numb toward the end of my run. I've Googled it and I believe it's caused by pressure on a nerve. So how do I stop this from happening again?

Does anyone else have the same experience and how do you handle it? I really enjoy running but want to be smart about it too.

[CallingAllAngels]

My right foot goes numb when I tie my shoes too tight. I have to make a conscious effort to leave them a little loose. Might be something to check out.

[sadlebred]

It could be poorly fitting shoes. Have you been to your local running store to be fitted for shoes? If not, we would all recommend that you do that. Improperly fitting shoes can and will cause worse problems than feet falling asleep. Your LRS will watch the way you run, analyze your gait, and let you test shoes. (Local running store does not equal W*lmart, D*cks, Sports Authority, or any other mega store.)

[RoryGilmore]

I've had this happen in a few shoes -- sometimes I'm tying them too tight and most recently, they recommended I go up another half size in the brand I'm currently wearing.

[Deleted]

She said she was fitted, so I am assuming the shoes fit fine. You may just be tying them too tight. Try to tie them really loose, all the way down to the toes.

When I picked up running this time around, my left foot would go numb at 1.7 miles, without fail, every run. I tried a few different pairs of shoes, and nothing worked. I almost gave up.... And one day it stopped. It took about three months.

So loosen your laces, try different socks even (the ones that are best for me seem to be the ones without the tight banding around the arch, the foot would not go as numb with them). The only other thing I noticed was if I took even a 15 second walk break every mile, the numbness was lessened.

[sadlebred]

Ah, fitted is good. I'm exhausted and am obviously not reading the entire post.

[jnibean]

I was having this same problem, even with my brand new shoes. I was tying them too tight. I loosened them around the arch and balls of my foot, and then did a runners knot so that my shoes are still tight enough by my ankle so that they don't slip off. It's working so far!

Runners knot video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=niL2opvjpqM

[jchokie79]

Jun 9, 2012 21:58:54 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

It could be poorly fitting shoes. Have you been to your local running store to be fitted for shoes? If not, we would all recommend that you do that. Improperly fitting shoes can and will cause worse problems than feet falling asleep. Your LRS will watch the way you run, analyze your gait, and let you test shoes. (Local running store does not equal W*lmart, D*cks, Sports Authority, or any other mega store.)

I do have to fess up and say that I did get "fitted" at a Dick's. I just Googled and found a local running shoe store, Fleet Feet Store that I will visit tomorrow. I'll take my new shoes (the Saucony Omni 10) and let them take a look. I really like how they fit so I'm hoping tying the shoe lace too tight is my issue.

Thank you all for your responses, as usual, you're all very helpful and this board keeps me motivated!

[Deleted]

I was recently in a Dicks Sporting Goods and spent a while in the shoe area with my husband (long ago fitted in shoes, we were poking around at sale stuff). Apparently, Dicks is replacing their shoe personnel with trained people, so they actually do know how to fit and do a gait analysis, just like a small running store.

Now, he did say that this is only in SOME locations. When you went to Dicks, what did they do to fit you?

[jdbyogi]

In my experience (limited though it is to the few stores around me) the employees of Dick's are total idiots. If they can't even tell me where to find the hydration belts or have any idea what compression sleeves are, I'm not letting them pick my shoes. Now, that doesn't mean your shoes are necessarily wrong. They tend to have a good, wide variety of brands, but the local running store may be able to make sure it's the right shoe for you. And since Dick's has a reasonable return policy, you can possibly exchange these shoes for a specific model the running store helps you pick.

Also, the laces thing is real

[libfish825]

True D*ck's experience:

Me: "Excuse me, can you point me toward running skirts?"

Salesperson: "Like, for kayaks?"


Bummer.

[MrsE]

Jun 10, 2012 0:05:37 GMT -5 libfish825 said:

True D*ck's experience:

Me: "Excuse me, can you point me toward running skirts?"

Salesperson: "Like, for kayaks?"


Bummer.

Wow. LOL.

OP, this happens to me every once in a while but is usually caused by my knee brace being slightly tight. If you run with any braces, loosen them a bit. Otherwise, it sounds like a shoe/laces issue.

ETA: spelling, again

[jchokie79]

Quick update: I went to a local running store today and received some great one on one great service. Ends up I was wearing the wrong shoes (too much support & wrong size). So I got fitted with Brooks' Ravenna 3 with Super Feet insole (blue). They feel great at least while I was running errands this afternoon. Looking forward to taking them out for a run tomorrow. Hope is solves my foot numbing issue!

[MrsE]

Yay for new shoes! Hopefully that will solve your issue and you can return your other shoes.

[hjohnson050711]

I would contact the running store and let them know you are having this problem. I had the same problem and had to switch brands of shoes and it fixed the problem!

[marcylt]

Yay for new shoes! I hope your problem is solved, but since I'm late to the game, I'll give you my 2 cents. I was fitted for running shoes at 3 different "high end" running stores, all of which put me in shoes where my toes got numb after less than a mile. I kept going back and they kept putting me in shoes I hated.

I finally went out and got Nike Free Runs because I had a pair of Nike Frees before I was a runner and loved them and BOOM, no more numbness, no more pain. I am always more comfortable barefoot than in shoes, so a shoe with less structure was the right thing for me - despite the fact that so-called experts told me to go a different route. Always listen to your body before some two-bit shoe guy.

[jdbyogi]

Just as a follow up as well, my LRS makes suggestions for shoes, but they don't pressure me into one shoe or another, and it's always my choice to pick a shoe that feels really comfortable and that I love. You should never feel pressured to get one shoe or another.