Runners desire to continue running. Most runners are hesitant to visit our Houston podiatry office for fear of being told to stop running. The problem with that logic is if they arrived earlier before the problem had become unbearable, I would not have told them to stop running… but now I must.
Amongst marathon runners, a bruised toenail has practically become a badge of honor. When your toes frequently strike the front of your running shoe, it is a common but avoidable effect. The impact produces bleeding behind the toenail, resulting in the nail appear black and blue.
The running gait of each runner is distinctive. Some people strike with their heels, while others strike with their midfoot. Some have a long stride, while others have a short one. While every running gait has commonalities, there is no correct or incorrect way to run.
There is a range of over-the-counter insoles for running shoes to choose from. Of course, some are better than others. Some are inadequately supportive, while others pretend to be more than they are and cost as much as a custom orthotic.
The battle cry of all athletes used to be “no pain, no gain.” As more athletes become injured, a far more zen “let your body be your leader” approach has taken hold. There is a distinction to be made between soreness caused by conditioning and discomfort that affects your running.
Every step you take generates two forces: the force of the ground acting on your foot and the other of your foot striking the ground. As a result, your foot is subjected to pressure and it is why the type of running surface you use makes such a difference.
