SoulSearch_CO Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 I think I may have given myself a metatarsal stress fracture. I was running pretty frequently at the beginning of the year, slacked off a couple months, then got back at it this summer quite a bit. I run 6 miles 2-3 times a week. Absolutely love it. It has all been on treadmill, though, up until a week and a half ago. I ran on a bike path (pavement) and had some pain at my first metatarsal. Did my usual 6 miles. About mile 4.5 or 5, my foot started to ache a little. With all the endorphins, though, it didn't really hurt much until later. But really, to put it on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst pain I've ever felt, this was a "1" for the most part with very brief moments of "2." Was going to run again two days later, but the pain was still there. Mostly, I'd feel the pain if I'd get up on the ball of my foot and "hop." Like preparing to spring forward for running, or even just jumping straight up. I didn't think much of it, assuming I must've just bruised something and I'd give myself a week to heal. Went running the other day on another bike path, and it was about .5 mile in when the foot started aching. I kept running anyway. So, yeah. The pain is worse this time around, although not in scale - just frequency. It's kind of a constant, dull, throbbing ache, but really not bad. What's different this time is when I flex my big toe UP, I can feel a creaking in the area where the pain is and the pain is worse when I do that. But here's the question...I'm reading conflicting accounts on the internet about whether or not a Dr is required for this. Being just a stress fracture (everything is still functional and there is very, very, very, very minimal swelling), couldn't I just sit out running for 6 weeks (which is the supposed healing time)? What is the Dr really going to do for me other than put some stupid cast on it (to tell the truth - it would last as long as it took me to walk out of the Dr's office and I'd take the dang thing off)? I'm hoping someone on here may have experienced something similar and can tell me no Dr is necessary. LOL The pain is not bad enough to need pain pills (heck, I don't even need over-the-counter stuff) and my job is not physically strenuous. Link to post Share on other sites
New Again Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 When I used to run a lot I had something similar to what you described twice. I never went to the doctor for it, so I have no idea if it was a stress fracture or something else. I took a couple weeks off running, and it came back, so I took another couple weeks off and was fine after that. Sorry I can't be more help. Link to post Share on other sites
GrayClouds Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 It also coufbe tendons rather then a SF. How many mile s are on your shoes? Did you change types lately, get new ones? I would take 4ish weeks off, start up slow with some new shoes (make sure their for your gait), 2-3 mile x 3 for a couple of weeks and see if you have issues. Ice after the runs. If still do then think about a doc. They really can not do much, if it is a stress fracture, just tell you to stay off it. Link to post Share on other sites
Author SoulSearch_CO Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 If I had to guess on the shoe mileage, I'd say less than 100. Very good shoes. Never had an issue with foot pain until I got onto pavement. Thanks for both your responses, guys. I'll sit out the running for a bit and stick to rowing, biking or swimming. I'll miss my runs, but I don't want to do permanent damage. Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 FWIW, I can run 3-4x longer and harder on a treadmill than I can on the road. I hurt the day after a road run. Link to post Share on other sites
Author SoulSearch_CO Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 FWIW, I can run 3-4x longer and harder on a treadmill than I can on the road. I hurt the day after a road run. Hmm. Does running on gravel help at all? Cause I had the pavement option one direction or the gravel option the other direction. By the time I can run outside again, it won't matter because it'll all be snow-covered. But I'd like to have an idea of what I can do when spring hits. Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Hmm. Does running on gravel help at all? Cause I had the pavement option one direction or the gravel option the other direction. By the time I can run outside again, it won't matter because it'll all be snow-covered. But I'd like to have an idea of what I can do when spring hits. I really struggle with this. I want to be a runner-runner, but the outside running really hampers my efforts... not only because it's more difficult, but also due to inclement weather. The thing is, running on treadmills is inherently easier because it's cushioned and the belt grabs your foot and pulls it (in a way). Running outside is just going to be more difficult all around. Dirt trails definitely help a lot. I'm too klutzy to trust myself to run on gravel. When on the road, run on the black asphalt rather than the concrete sidewalk. Link to post Share on other sites
Author SoulSearch_CO Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Thanks, SG. Link to post Share on other sites
Lauriebell82 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I really struggle with this. I want to be a runner-runner, but the outside running really hampers my efforts... not only because it's more difficult, but also due to inclement weather. The thing is, running on treadmills is inherently easier because it's cushioned and the belt grabs your foot and pulls it (in a way). Running outside is just going to be more difficult all around. Dirt trails definitely help a lot. I'm too klutzy to trust myself to run on gravel. When on the road, run on the black asphalt rather than the concrete sidewalk. Yep, that's it. Running outside is harder on your feet/legs then running on the treadmill. When I run outside vs. the treadmill I am much more sore and my feet hurt a lot more then on the treadmill. Link to post Share on other sites
GrayClouds Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 By the time I can run outside again, it won't matter because it'll all be snow-covered. If your not running in the snow your missing out. Link to post Share on other sites
GrayClouds Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 If I had to guess on the shoe mileage, I'd say less than 100. Very good shoes. Never had an issue with foot pain until I got onto pavement. Thanks for both your responses, guys. I'll sit out the running for a bit and stick to rowing, biking or swimming. I'll miss my runs, but I don't want to do permanent damage. Doing the other stuff will be good. Back to the shoes. Did you buy them at a running shoe store? Are you really confidence they are structurally right for you? It could be that running on payment is only point out that it may not be the correct shoe for you. Link to post Share on other sites
Author SoulSearch_CO Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 If your not running in the snow your missing out. This is not shallow wussy snow we're talking about. It'd be worse than trying to run in water. LOL I live/work in a resort town. Doing the other stuff will be good. Back to the shoes. Did you buy them at a running shoe store? Are you really confidence they are structurally right for you? It could be that running on payment is only point out that it may not be the correct shoe for you. I bought the shoe at Sports Authority. It's an Underarmour running shoe. It's possible that rather than getting the "neutral," I should have gotten the one with more arch support. How do I find out exactly what shoe is right except to keep buying expensive shoes and trashing them? Would a gait analysis help the decision? I do need to do the analysis, I've just been putting it off. I'll be back on the treadmill once I've recouped and I have no problem with the shoe on the treadmill. So then in the spring when I get to run outside again, I'll go to a local store that does the gait analysis and running shoes, specifically. Link to post Share on other sites
GrayClouds Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 This is not shallow wussy snow we're talking about. It'd be worse than trying to run in water. LOL I live/work in a resort town. I bought the shoe at Sports Authority. It's an Underarmour running shoe. It's possible that rather than getting the "neutral," I should have gotten the one with more arch support. How do I find out exactly what shoe is right except to keep buying expensive shoes and trashing them? Would a gait analysis help the decision? I do need to do the analysis, I've just been putting it off. I'll be back on the treadmill once I've recouped and I have no problem with the shoe on the treadmill. So then in the spring when I get to run outside again, I'll go to a local store that does the gait analysis and running shoes, specifically. Yes, if your in CO there is a good deal of store's that are specify "Running Shoe" store. Again, if your not running outside during the winter, your missing the boat. Link to post Share on other sites
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