Hello, if anyone can offer advice I'd be grateful. I had plantar fascitis which has practically gone I can only feel it very occasionally now. Is it sensible/possible to return to running again? Has anyone else done that? I fancy training a half in march, thanks
Orthotics. Orthotics and decent shoes, not squishy, soft ones with no support.
I did it years ago and it was horrendous - steroid injections, more ice than Greenland, lacrosse ball, spiky ball under the foot, swearing and silently weeping when stuck standing up for the bus, you get the idea - it eventually went away when I wore a removable cast that immobilised the entire foot for about 12 weeks (in daylight hours).
Basically, the pain is caused by the stretchy band of connective tissue between heel and midfoot tearing in multiple places when it's placed under load, such as when your foot first touches the floor in the morning on when you're standing/walking/running - like an old rubber band being overstretched. If you don't do anything to protect it when it's repeatedly loaded, the slightly stiffer bits where it's healed up will tear again and find it harder to heal up next time.
Having orthotics (because there is a good chance that your foot is falling inwards as it takes your weight with each step) stops the overstretching/tearing and ensures that you have a healthier gait - oh, and if you've had PI, you're biomechanically at risk of shin splints, bunions and all manner of nasties, so the orthotics help prevent those as well by making you upright on your feet/ankles/knees/hips/pelvis/spine/etc.
Customs cost a lot or you have to wait a million years for the NHS to consider them - perhaps some £20-odd ones from Amazon for arch support and stability could give you an idea of how much they can help?
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I'm nearly excited today - I've just ordered a pair of Asics trail shoes, as my Ons are wearing out on the inside lining, I've done so many miles in them. Unfortunately, I've ordered them online rather than getting fitted and giving money to an independent instead of the foulness that is Sports Direct, but Asics reckon they have a similar fit/width to the Ons, so I've gone for them in a full size larger than my normal shoes (to fit my orthotics in and let my feet spread freely).
Had to go for a plain black pair as the awesome green ones weren't in stock, but using the orthotics meant I could go for neutral shoes instead of the heavy and inflexible stability shoes this time, which technically saves me enough money to be able to buy yet another pair after Christmas.
And I've got a fleece lined beanie on the way, which will be very welcome - didn't get one with a headlight, but might do that if I start running more before and after work, rather than in the comfort and boringness that is the gym at the weekend.
Going to be muddling through with random long sleeved tops rather than proper base layers for the next few weeks, but if I lose a bit more weight, I'll have more of a choice - the question is then, do I get a waterproof jacket or a gilet, which might be more comfortable?
Got a few friends trying to convince me to do an Ultra but I value my feet too much to bother
#respectthefeet
I'd love to be able to do an ultra - there's lots of walking involved - and food. Just as long as there's no pavement pounding, I'm a lot happier doing greater distances far, far more slowly.
Maybe one day...