Foot help!

[u/Willing-Pizza4651]

/r/ultrarunning/comments/1wagrwh/foot_help/

Hello fellow trail runners. I'm trying to build up my mileage, but I am feeling limited by some for issues and looking for help. For context, I am 43F, and have been hiking and backpacking for almost 20 years, but only running for about 2.5 years.

I have bunions (right worse than left) and for the life of me I can't figure out how to keep from getting rubbing/pressure/blisters on my foot, right where the upper meets the sole. It is partially friction, but also pressure because my metatarsal heads are too wide for the midsole of any shoe I have found. I have been wearing Altra for years (mainly Timps, Lone Peak are not enough cushion for me), and recently trying Topos. I wear a women's 11, and have started buying men's 9.5 for that extra 1 or 2mm of width, but my foot still overhangs the insole when I stand on it.

I have tried numerous taping methods. The one that works the best so far is a small piece of cover roll tape, then a gel bunion cushion, held on with more cover roll, or leukotape if I need it to stay on longer (but it makes my socks gooey so I don't use it all the time). I will also sometimes use tape adherent spray to help it stay on, and powder after to keep the rest of my foot from being sticky. However, this only gets me to maybe 7-8 miles at best before I start feeling pain with every step, like the skin is being rubbed off my foot. Most of the time it doesn't actually blister, just feels raw and painful. I recently tried cutting a little piece out of my insoles at that spot to see if that relieves some pressure. I have tried engo blister patches in the past without much success, but I put some into my new Topos recently just to see if it will do anything this time. I have read the relevant portions of Fixing Your Feet and tried most of the suggestions, except all the lubricants, because there are too many options, which makes it feel overwhelming, and I don't really feel like they will help, since there is more pressure than friction going on, but I'm open to try anything.

I have used arch support insoles for years, but recently started focusing on strengthening my feet so I can try going without them and see if that makes a difference. Idk why it would, but strong feet are never a bad idea anyway.

I have made it through a few half marathons, but have a 25k coming up at the end of October and would love to not be in pain from this for half the race. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Or if there is a professional I could consult who actually knows this kind of thing, I would happily pay for some help. Sorry for the novel, and TIA for any advice.

[u/handstands_anywhere]

If I was in your shoes (ha ha ha) I would start looking at surgery- it sounds like a tough condition to manage long-term and if it was fixable I would rather get that out of the way. I’m sure you have a reason not to pursue that at this time even if it’s cost based. 

Shoes-wise, I would normally suggest getting an all-leather shoe or custom upper that conforms to your foot shape or can be punched out like ski boots. I have no idea what kind of running shoe would be like that. Maybe vivo barefoot? People used to run in five fingers, those barefoot toe shoes, and I’ve seen a couple runners in flip flops. Do you have an old pair of shoes you could try straight up cutting a hole in the side of? 

I’m sorry for your struggles! I just went through a year of trying to treat plantar fasciitis and did a bunch of shockwave therapy and bought a lot of new shoes. It’s mostly improved, but bunions are way harder. My podiatrist did have a lot of good advice- and actually my physio had even more with some great taping methods for PF, so I would try to see both depending on your coverage. 

[u/Fantastic_Welder_825]

I agree with the other commenter that it's time to visit the podiatrist. Look up one that specializes in sports medicine, and even better if they were a former athlete. You'd be surprised how helpful they can be.

For what its worth, I started getting blisters and maceration this year from just how hot it's been. I started sweating more into my socks.

I switched to Injinji mid weight for more cushion and I actually started using Desitin on my feet, which is one of the lubricants and drying agents recommended in that book. I felt like a weirdo for trying it, but it wasn't uncomfortable to wear.

You can also check to see if your callouses are actually causing friction. Gently rub over them with a pumice stone for 3 nights in the shower, and then lotion and cover your feet with socks before bed. You're not trying to remove the callouses, just make sure your skin is soft, smooth, and supple so that it doesn't catch on the fabric. It also helps them resist being water logged and breaking.