11.5 and all is well.
Feet are quite peculiar, and typically ugly. Like the ear, they are prone to bulbous, odd shapes that remind me of my least favorite vegetables (cauliflower and green squash).
They can also cause problems, especially for runners. But I’ve never had any noteworthy problems with my feet. I’ve had no black toenails or lost toenails. I’ve avoided plantar fasciitis, calluses, infections, arch pain and unsightly fungus. I’m even a neutral pronator.
The occasional blisters appear, but only after a marathon or ultra, and only on my left little toe. They clear up right away. Since I’ve shifted from roads to trails, I can’t even remember the last time my feet were sore.
At the risk of sounding painfully shallow, I love my feet. This doesn’t mean that I spend all day thinking of my feet, or any other feet for that matter. But I do do buy running shoes at least partially based on fashion, and I have had a pedicure.
Does this make me a metrosexual runner?
– Dean
April 15th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Have had a few minor issues as I’ve increased mileage to 70+/week for an extended time.
Had the beginnings of Plantar Fascitis a few months back – started stretching my insole (sit in a chair with no shoes on and put your toes on the floor and “heels up”) and use off-the-shelf orthotics for training runs of more than 15 miles if they’re on the road (which is rare).
Recently got a ganglion cyst on the top of my left foot where I was “high lacing” my shoes. Never has hurt, so I’ve just quit high-lacing my left shoe and it’s slowly receding.
Like you, I consider myself lucky to have never suffered a serious injury (foot, ankle, piriformis, or anywhere else) that’s prevented me from running for more than a day or two.
kestrou
P.S. – I’ve never had a pedicure!
April 16th, 2008 at 5:56 am
I used to lose 2-3 toenails after each marathon, but now that I completely wrap every one of my toes in athletic tape before marathons, I have not lost any.
Just a tip for you blackened toenail sufferers out there 🙂
April 16th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Doc Ott, Go up a half size, youe shoes are likely too small, and the microtrauma from smacking the end or sides of your shoes is causing the toenail problem.
April 16th, 2008 at 7:11 am
“Ganglion Cyst” sounds like something you never want the doctor to say you’ve got. Either that or it sounds like the name of a minor character in a Star Wars movie.
– Dean
April 16th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Gangilion Cyst? I’ve got one word for you: Polydactyl.
http://beverlytang.com/found/extra_toe.jpg
Those Hemingway cat’s have got nothing on the image above.