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Left foot went numb at 3 mile mark (Read 2386 times)

    Hey guys =) Just wanted to ask why my left foot went numb at the 3 mile mark for todays run. Maybe I just ran too far for my ability? Maybe my new shoes aren't a good fit? Or maybe I don't know how to stretch (I don't...) Any help will be appreciated. Also, my first garmin 305 run so.... GARMIN GEEK INFO TIME!
    2009 Goals: Run 5x a week, Iron Horse Half-Marathon on a 6-month C2HM Program that completely made up and is probably unhealthy.
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    rectumdamnnearkilledem

      The 3 mile mark is about where my foot/feet will go numb sometimes, too. In my case I'm relatively certain that it's chronic compartment syndrome. I have experienced it with every shoe I've worn, regardless of how snuggly or loosely they are tied, so I know it's not a shoe issue. I have pretty notoriously tight calves, which I know is a factor. CCS tends to hit me more when my exertion levels are higher...first time I experienced it was during a race. Freaked the heck out of me...I thought there was a big rock lodged under the ball of my foot, but when I stopped to look at the bottom of my shoe there was nothing there. Then my foot got really numb. Before those symptoms came on my calves and shins were both quite tight and sore. The symptoms seem to let up about 20 minutes after they start...like clockwork. I don't run into it all that much anymore...and it comes and goes for a few runs, then I can go for months without any problems. If I had problems more consistently I'd likely look into surgical solutions, but the thought of having my calves sliced open to cut the fascia and release the pressure would be a bit overkill at this point. I'd keep an eye on things. Try the obvious things like loosening your shoes and stopping to walk and stretch when it happens. If you have more than a few runs when it's a problem I'd definitely mention it to your doctor.

      Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

      remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

           ~ Sarah Kay


      Half Fanatic #846

        In my case I'm relatively certain that it's chronic compartment syndrome... it's not a shoe issue. I have pretty notoriously tight calves, which I know is a factor. The symptoms seem to let up about 20 minutes after they start...like clockwork. I don't run into it all that much anymore...and it comes and goes for a few runs, then I can go for months without any problems. If I had problems more consistently I'd likely look into surgical solutions, but the thought of having my calves sliced open to cut the fascia and release the pressure would be a bit overkill at this point. I'd keep an eye on things. Try the obvious things like loosening your shoes and stopping to walk and stretch when it happens. If you have more than a few runs when it's a problem I'd definitely mention it to your doctor.
        Eighteen months ago I had similar symptoms and learned it was "chronic exertional compartment syndrome" in the left anterior compartment. It's really just one of the several different forms of "shin splints". In my particular case, the numbness in my foot was caused by one of my lower leg compartments swelling which put too much pressure on the nerve to my foot . Unfortunately, mine kept me from running, so I had the surgery, which was successful (an anterior fasciotomy). Now I have "plantar faciitis" to get over!! Tongue Hopefully, your situation will resolve itself or be very minor - if not, see a specialist! Awesome Garmin info BTW Big grin

        "I don't always roll a joint, but when I do, it's usually my ankle" - unk.         "Frankly autocorrect, I'm getting a bit tired of your shirt".                  I ran half my last race on my left foot!                                  

          Same thing happened again this run, but to a lesser extent. I think I was just adding distance too quickly. I'm going to run less distance today and then take a break tomorrow and see how I feel Wednesday.
          2009 Goals: Run 5x a week, Iron Horse Half-Marathon on a 6-month C2HM Program that completely made up and is probably unhealthy.
            I dont think you're alone. This has happened to me a number of times and for some strange reason it seems to be around the 3 mile mark. Now, normally it has happened when I was starting up and not getting in much mileage and a day or so after a long run. So I 'think' (but dont know for sure) that it had something to do with my calves tightening up and just causing a variety of problems on a few days. I have normally stopped and loosened my shoes (stopping helped loosening my shoes really didnt). Usually the next day or two day after, it doesnt seem to bother me. Also, my mileage is up around 30 MPW week now and it rarely happens now....when my mileage was around 10 to 12 MPW it happened pretty frequentely...... I dont have a solution, but letting you know what happened t me...Big grinBig grin

            Champions are made when no one is watching

              Yeah....My body is definitely telling me to take a day off.
              2009 Goals: Run 5x a week, Iron Horse Half-Marathon on a 6-month C2HM Program that completely made up and is probably unhealthy.


              jfa

                GARMIN GEEK INFO TIME! Cool stuff. Almost makes me want to finally go out and buy me one of those things!

                 

                 

                 

                 

                 

                 

                  Just thought I'd update this. Went for a 2.5 mile run today and ran it relatively easy (Minus the 11mph sprint at the end lol) and I felt better all race and my foot didnt get numb but AFTER the race, my muscle...The one right above my ankle in the back, (Google search says soleus muscle or gastrocnemius muscle, was REALLY tight. It took about 10 minutes of stretching and massaging and walking to get it back to normal. Is that okay?
                  2009 Goals: Run 5x a week, Iron Horse Half-Marathon on a 6-month C2HM Program that completely made up and is probably unhealthy.
                    Just thought I'd update this. Went for a 2.5 mile run today and ran it relatively easy (Minus the 11mph sprint at the end lol) and I felt better all race and my foot didnt get numb but AFTER the race, my muscle...The one right above my ankle in the back, (Google search says soleus muscle or gastrocnemius muscle, was REALLY tight. It took about 10 minutes of stretching and massaging and walking to get it back to normal. Is that okay?
                    You just need to be careful. As I recall, you are just starting out and you have youth on your side. Youth can be a blessing and it can be a curse........BLESSING - because you are probably pretty strong and your youthful bones, muscles etc will spring back quickly....... CURSE - because younger people forget to be careful and don't always take it ease (try to do too much too quickly). As you just started out, be very careful not to run too many days in a row and not to run too far and not to run too fast..the three things that an really mess up the enthusiasm of a new runner because of injury. With a cautious and slow approach, you should be OK and don't hesitate to keep asking questions...

                    Champions are made when no one is watching

                      It happened again at the 3 mile mark =( This was after running an easy day and taking a rest day. I googled it and it said diabetes may cause the problem which got me really scared. Edit: Someone replied with a stretch technique: "I also suffered from this - every time I hit about 6km my right foot would start to go completely numb until I couldn't feel it any more. I went and saw a physio and along with the calf stretches already mentioned I was shown a stretch similar to a hamstring stretch (i.e touching your toes but sat down with your feet against the wall) but you slouch your back and put your chin on your chest. Really push down (yes it hurts!!) and do four reps and hold for a count of seven. After a couple of nights I was pins and needles free!!" and I tried it and I think it worked! I feel a lot better. Do you think stretching before a run would help? Or is it better after?
                      2009 Goals: Run 5x a week, Iron Horse Half-Marathon on a 6-month C2HM Program that completely made up and is probably unhealthy.
                      seeEricaRun


                      Awesome

                        Totally unrelated -but from which software did you get the first screenshot from?
                          http://www.mapmyrun.com/ =)
                          2009 Goals: Run 5x a week, Iron Horse Half-Marathon on a 6-month C2HM Program that completely made up and is probably unhealthy.
                          Wingz


                          Professional Noob

                            Foot numbness shouldn't be the first sign of diabetes, and it wouldn't be likely to happen to someone your age anyway - it takes years of poorly controlled diabetes to cause the kind of nerve damage that should make your feet numb - and then it wouldn't be happening just 3 miles into a run. Relax. Wink My feet will go numb when using a stationary bike because I always seem to lace my shoes too tightly when I bike... Roll eyes

                            Roads were made for journeys...

                              Its not going away... I tried new shoes, looser laces, insoles, stretching, more rest days, icing.... Always at the 2.7-3 mile mark. There's a 5 page topic about it on runnersworld: http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=6979 And it appears no one has a cure. I think I have it down to either 1. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrom : http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome.htm 2. Or that one that zoomy mentioned. But I doubt it because that one's rare. Im going to see a specialist soon. I really hope my running career isn't over less than a month after I started.
                              2009 Goals: Run 5x a week, Iron Horse Half-Marathon on a 6-month C2HM Program that completely made up and is probably unhealthy.


                              The Thunder

                                Dude, my foot/feet go numb on pretty much every run I do when it's 40 degrees or colder out. Usually around 20 minutes into my run and then after another 20 minutes or so of me running/wiggling my toes while running, they go un-numb. It's cold out, blood flow is directed to places that need it more then your toes. Stop freaking out. Run more.

                                1 Hip and 2 Hamstring reconstructions later…

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