Hello everyone,
Broke the golden rule about 10 days ago on a longish run (20km): started in 'normal' running shoes with the intent of finishing the run in VFF or bare feet as I generally do - usually last 2-4kms or so. I got a blister about half way thrugh and switched earlier than planned to VFF and ended up running about 8km in them. My stupid mistake was to ignore some top of foot pain on the left side that presented almost immediately upon changing.
Pretty sore when I got back home, and pretty sore walking for a couple of days - not exruciating. Poking around it seems localised in the 2nd Metatarsal. Walking around in minimalist shoes pain free but occasionally "aware" of low level soreness after two days or so.
Went to sports doc who was keen to get an MRI to confirm what he thought was a stress reaction - not progressed to stress fracture as I would be in more pain.
I was reluctant to get the scan (due to cost) and suggested that I was happy to rest for 4 weeks and then build up slowly under the assumption that the diagnosis was correct. Doc agreed that this was reasonable.
So... my query is:
the doc recommended spending as much time as possible in "supportive" shoes and avoiding bare feet while healing.
I would prefer to stay in bare feet and minimalist shoes while there is no pain. I would also like to continue balancing exercises etc.
Am I being stubborn? Do you guys think it is ok to be guided by pain levels and still spend as much time as possible in bare feet / minimal shoes to strengthen feet? What about foot strenghtening while recovering - again guided by pain levels.
Any comments greatly appreciated!
Cheers, Claff
Broke the golden rule about 10 days ago on a longish run (20km): started in 'normal' running shoes with the intent of finishing the run in VFF or bare feet as I generally do - usually last 2-4kms or so. I got a blister about half way thrugh and switched earlier than planned to VFF and ended up running about 8km in them. My stupid mistake was to ignore some top of foot pain on the left side that presented almost immediately upon changing.
Pretty sore when I got back home, and pretty sore walking for a couple of days - not exruciating. Poking around it seems localised in the 2nd Metatarsal. Walking around in minimalist shoes pain free but occasionally "aware" of low level soreness after two days or so.
Went to sports doc who was keen to get an MRI to confirm what he thought was a stress reaction - not progressed to stress fracture as I would be in more pain.
I was reluctant to get the scan (due to cost) and suggested that I was happy to rest for 4 weeks and then build up slowly under the assumption that the diagnosis was correct. Doc agreed that this was reasonable.
So... my query is:
the doc recommended spending as much time as possible in "supportive" shoes and avoiding bare feet while healing.
I would prefer to stay in bare feet and minimalist shoes while there is no pain. I would also like to continue balancing exercises etc.
Am I being stubborn? Do you guys think it is ok to be guided by pain levels and still spend as much time as possible in bare feet / minimal shoes to strengthen feet? What about foot strenghtening while recovering - again guided by pain levels.
Any comments greatly appreciated!
Cheers, Claff