Intense pain in foot after 4-mile run??
 

I'm really not sure where to post this one, so I figured I'd just throw it in here.

Saturday I ran a 4-mile race with zero preparation. It literally almost doubles the amount I've jogged this year. I have good running shoes I got from a running store about 3 years ago and have had no problems whatsoever with them. I've also never ran over a mile or two at a time. This time as I was running my left foot started to get that tingly numbing feeling around halfway through; like when you lay on your arm wrong or something. For the last half mile my leg was numb from about the calf down.

The last two days I've had near excrutiating pain in my foot. I thought I had a broken bone, actually, but it feels to be more in the flesh of the foot, on the outer edge about halfway between my toes and my heel. Has anyone ever had or heard of anything like this? My right foot feels perfectly normal.

I just thought it weird for this to all of a sudden come up, and was hoping there was some sort of explanation. Shoes tied to tight or something.

Well sorry for the vagueness, but I appreciate any input you can give.

Three years of wear is a long time for a pair of shoes. Running shoes are good for about 350 miles or so, then the cushioning wears out. The tread on the bottom won't necessarily be worn down. I'd start with a new pair of shoes.

I would start with the shoes as well. My old shoes trashed my feet when I started running again. Eventually I learned that the compression marks in the heal were a sign that my shoes were toast.

Oh and you really should ramp up your miles slowly. This is the sort of thing that happens when you don't train. You could try the standard PF treatment and see if it helps. Freeze a small water bottle and roll it with your foot but it being on the outer edge of your foot seems odd. Perhaps visit a doctor?

Google plantar fascittis and see if that's it. Usually the pain is right in the arch but it can also be off to the outer side as well. From what you said it sounds like your calf is tight and it's connect through your achillis to the bottom of your foot. The tightness keeps your foot from moving the way it wants to.

yup, you did it it all wrong! Ice 10minutes per hour and go shoe shopping. Inflammation is the issue. and you earned it.

I was out of town when I wrote this so I didn't get to look over my shoes after the race. Just got back in town and inspected them. Definitely time for a new set. The outside looks in good shape, but the inside is all worn out. Bad. I looked up the definition of plantar fascittis and it didn't seem to match. At least not in the same area it typically occurs. Still makes me wonder why, exactly, my leg went numb like that. I've been in sports my whole life and have never experienced anything like it.

Also, in my defense for just up and joining a 4 mile race with no training, it came with the requirement of drinking 12 ounces of Guinness at the 1.5- and 3-mile markers as well as right before the finish line, then two more free ones after you finish. Economically, it was cheaper to join the race and run it while drinking the beer than just walk up to the bar and buy it. It's all about saving money these days.... :)

See a podiatrist.

I can't remember the name of the condition, but in it's later stages it goes necrotic.

You did too much too soon. But you knew that.
As long as you're buying new shoes and starting run training basically over I quietly suggest at least investigating minimalist shoes (Mizuno Wave Universe 3, Nike Free 3.0 v2, Saucony Kinvara, Vibram Fivefingers, to name a few) and a more minimalist/barefoot running style. I love my Vibrams and have enjoyed learning a more natural way to run. If you do decided to go this way there are lots of places on the interwebs to learn about the proper running form you need for these shoes, and I strongly suggest doing that reading before you run.
This guy isn't me, but his blog has been very helpful: http://www.runblogger.com/2010/07/ru...t-running.html

This is kind of an old post but I'd thought I'd throw an update.

I got some new shoes for Christmas and the foot pain is nowhere to be felt (yet). I did notice some error in my technique thanks to dirtbag's post and corrected it to some extent, reducing some other discomforts in my shins. Maybe for my next set I'll look into the minimalist shoe thing... Thanks again.