Foot Issues

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Permalink Reply by Jorge Vidal on June 21, 2008 at 10:47am

I had a very similar issue with running shoes. My feet swell while running causing the sneaks to get tight around the front. The results were numb feet with black toe nails. Shoes that fit correctly made the world of difference, I am a size 11.5 normally but wear a 12.5 wide for the running shoe. I know you your issue is the bike shoe. Two things to see is obviously the size. Bike shoes should be snug but your toes shoes not have a lot of pressure in the front of the toe. The second is the position of your clip compared to your pedal. The widest part of your foot should be where the clip locks into the pedal. This allows for the maximum power transfer. If your clip is to forward on your shoe it might be putting to much pressure on the front of your toes.

I am still learning this stuff myself so please take my recommendations understanding that. Hope it helps and best of luck.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Llerandi on June 24, 2008 at 9:32am

I agree with Jorge - I had a similar experience this winter when I wore a thicker pair of neoprene socks on a ride, and got a black toenail that I ultimately lost. I also remember reading about this in Runner's World & the indication there was that a larger shoe -- up to a full size larger or more -- would help eliminate the problem.

I'd definitely start there.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Molloy on June 27, 2008 at 4:22pm

As an avid runner for 25 years, I've seen friends get what they call 'black toe' when doing long races. I suspect that, in running, it is caused by repeatedly driving the toes into the front of the shoe. You might need a slightly larger bike shoe.

Are you sure it is not from running?

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Essner on June 30, 2008 at 2:06pm

Dan,

Pretty sure it's not from pure running. I've posted up to 3.5 hr run sessions and never saw it. It was really associated with races and 1 or 2 long bike sessions. I think it's my foot sliding forward due to improperly tightened bike shoes.

Thanks,

Aaron

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Permalink Reply by Ken Shelton on June 29, 2008 at 3:50pm

I have had similar issues but only with running shoes. The problem comes late in a long race or workout when you are getting tired and your begin to get a little flat-footed. Your foot starts sliding forward in the shoe & your toes literally start banging into the toe wall of your shoe. Do this for a while and you wind up with 'black' toenails which fall off in a couple of weeks.

One solution is to use a 'runner's knot' when tying your shoes. See this UK Runner's World article for details. The last knot shown in the article holds the heel back in the shoe to prevent it from sliding forward into the toe.

That said, I recently went to size 14 running shoes, vs 12-13 for street shoes, on the advice of Frank at Shoe Fitter in Middletown, NY. Big shout out for his orthotic maiking services. He got me back running after several years of inactivity due to foot pain. About 45 minutes up Rt 17 from Bergen County but plan to spend about 3-hours being measured with lasers & other devices.

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Essner on June 30, 2008 at 2:10pm

Ken,

thanks for the thoughts. I'm pretty sure you got it with the foot sliding forward bit. From rushing through T1 I think I haven't been as diligent as I should about buckling down my bike shoes.

Thanks,

Aaron

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Permalink Reply by Dan Molloy on June 30, 2008 at 5:54pm

Anybody have any ideas about a cure for 'achilles tendonitis'...?

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Permalink Reply by Aaron Essner on July 8, 2008 at 4:40pm

Dan,

From what I've read it seems that this sort of thing can come from muscle imbalance or flexibility issues. I also generally think things like trail running and some calf/ankle excercises can help a bit by strengthening the stabilizing muscles. Trails, with uneven and varied surfaces can help. So can running barefoot. Maybe go to the track and run some lengths of the field on the grass. Just make sure there's no broken glass first. And of course if you get any beach time this year, try running in the sand barefoot as well. It all helps the muscles in the foot/ankle.

Don't know what to do about a flare up if you already have one though.

Hope it helps,

Aaron

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Permalink Reply by Dan Molloy on August 19, 2008 at 7:53am

Aaron,
I've had some relief lately by switching to a different running shoe... 100% better than it was 6 weeks ago. Cool...

Given where I live, Union City, Hoboken area... it is nearly impossible to find soft running... I'm always looking to run on 'blacktop' because it is softer than concrete... how sick is that!!!

I found a dirt road in North of Grand Rapids MI, last week...and felt like I was in heaven... haha.

Thanks for the input... I'm on a good path now.

Dan

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Permalink Reply by Matt Schneider on August 18, 2008 at 11:17pm

Re: achillies issues - I was having issues went to the local running store. The recommended a stretcing device that i have used for the last year. It looks like a half circle and you streatch forward and back on it, works wonderful. Dont have it with me but can check for you.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Filip Goris on August 19, 2008 at 8:26am

I am in the same situation now. Two weeks before Almere my orthopedic told me I had achilles tendonitis. Some things to do every day : 2 to 3 times a day wrap an ice-pack around your lower leg + 4 times a day Fastum gel + daily stretching of your calf + running on soft underground + put gel-pads in your shoes.

Hope this will help !

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