Numbness in feet

Hey Greg,

This crops up in the forums from time to time. It happens to me periodically both on the bike and on the run. I find scrunching up my toes for 20 or 30 meters helps.

Yah, my feet often go numb after a hour of so on the bike, espcially if it is cold. I too try to scruntch up my toes and that often helps.

I get this too. But, it is mostly in my right foot and starts with my second toe and gets worse so that my entire foot is numb. I finally went to the doctor because it was driving me nuts. They had some ideas, but nothing really fit. The orthopedist was clueless and diagnosed me with something that he had never seen nor have heard diagnosed before.

Best thing I found was to find a shoe that has lots of fore foot padding. My wife nearly had a heart attack when I spent $100 on shoes, but they made all the difference in the world. I knew when they were wearing out when my toes went numb again (about 300 miles old).

I have the Mizuno Wave Creation. you may still be able to get last year's model for a reduced price.

Otherwise, race on.
keith

Edited by Kpoulsen 2005-06-14 3:48 PM

I was having the same problem some time back. Two possibilities were suggested to me. One was that I was tying my shoes to tightly. Second that I was using poor quality socks. I always thought the thick cushy cotton socks were the best but they are not. I bought some high quality running socks (new balance and under armor), I like the under armor best. Since I have made those two changes, I have had no problems. Believe it or not, I noticed the biggest change when I bought the good socks. It made a huuuge difference. Good luck.

I don't know about the running but if your cleats are set up correctly on your bike you shouldn't be getting numb feet (with the exception of the cold). You have to make sure that the middle of the cleat is aligned with the bone of your foot after your arch towards your toes.

I started a thread about this a while ago....you might want to search for it now (sorry, no motivation). Anyway there is a link to a runner's world article that talks about different ways to lace your shoes to allow better circulation. Worked for me but I still occasionally get numb.

I had that too. Very, very uncomfortable and often painful on long runs. Went to the orthopedist who solved it by putting a pad not under my metatasal, but right behind the ball of the foot. You can orde them through Hapad, Inc. 1-800-544-2723 and they have directions on exactly where to put it. Or go to your podiatrist or orthopedist. How great that something so simple worked for me! That NEVER happens.
The reason, by the way that my foot went numb is the way I run, sort of a shuffle which I'm trying to change, but got a lot of extra weight so it's hard to lift the leg. Also got Asics which are very front padded.

I had a similar problem where my right foot would start going numb. I had my bike fit at a small shop in Central Vermont called Fit Werx (can be seen at www.fitwerx.com). Fit Werx installed custom foot beds in my shoes to help even the pressure I would put on the bottom of my feet when I was pedaling. If you have a shop in your area I would recommend giving them a call.

do you have wide feet? if so, try to give yourself more room by widening the lacing on the front of the shoe. worked for a buddy.

Interesting that you should say that.  I was discussing fascitis/forefoot pain with the owner of our LTS (Local Tri-Shop...YEEEES!  WE HAVE ONE NOW!).

He recommended Mizuno's also, I don't remember if it was the Wave Creation or not.

I'm not sure if it makes a difference but I'm in my fourth week of training and I find that my left foot goes numb during my warm-up walk but then feels better during the run. I tried scrunching my toes but that only made my arch cramp so now I actually wiggle my toes and that seems to help too.

I'm going to try the sock idea though because I just have plain no-padding walmart socks.

Thanks, Erin

I have the mizuno wave runners. Went for a 45 min run today, had a bit of numbness. I think it could have been the racing that did it, because I had tingly feet after my swim races as well. Maybe not enough blood gets there