Recently I have been having some pain in my foot/feet ( it happens to both at varying times). It's like a really bad cramp that starts in the arch of my foot. Sometimes it is so bad that I can feel it shooting throughout my whole body.
The funny thing is that it only happens when I am at rest. It is never painful when I am running or walking. So far the only relief I have found is just standing up on the foot until the pain goes away.
As a Nutrition teacher, I know that potassium helps with muscle cramping. I do certainly eat my share of bananas and potatoes, so I know I am getting at least some potassium that way.
I know another runner ( I don't remember who) asked this question too about the foot cramping up. I just wondered if this happens to anyone else and what you have done about or what it comes from.
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In other news, here are just a few things I wanted to share.
1. I did a 4 mile ( out and back) run on the trail this morning ( the rail trail, not the trail on the island).
When I was getting out of my car there was an older mother and two young boys ( about 7 and 9 maybe) getting out of their car too to walk the trails. I found it odd that the mom was in Khakis, a nice blouse, and shoes that were clearly not made for walking. The boys had khaki shorts on and t-shirt and sneakers. I took off for my run before they started to walk, but I did end up passing them on the trail on my way back and boy did they all look miserable. Clearly this walk was not for fun!
As I continued to run I thought to myself " I wonder if this walk is a punishment for the boys". Did the mom just decided to pull her car over and make them get out and walk? When I got back to the parking lot, I did notice that their license plate said they were from New York so maybe they just needed to get out and stretch their legs? Whatever the reason, none of them looked like they were having a good time.
2. I saw a 4 door Porsche at the veterinarians office this morning. I know that Porsche makes an SUV, but I never knew they made 4 door sedans. Well, I guess I wouldn't really know that because its not like I am in the market to buy a Porsche ( of any kind).
~M
Have you ever experienced the foot cramping thing?
I hope that you're able to figure out your mystery foot cramps. I've had what's probably a different kind of foot cramp... After long, hot runs my toes and feet used to cramp up terribly. I started being a little freer with the salt shaker and I eat a few more pickles, but I can't say for sure that that's what helped.
ReplyDeleteI used to get something that sounds similar to this. I started drinking coconut water after working out for the potassium and also using a tennis ball to roll out the muscles in my feet. This seemed to help. I still get the cramps but it is rare now.
ReplyDeleteIf it's the type of foot cramp I am thinking of, I actually had one last year after my 2nd half marathon where I drank no electrolytes during the race itself (rookie mistake!). Once I replenished the salt in my system it went away! Maybe try drinking some Nuun or or Gatorade. Hope it helps!
ReplyDeleteSorry your foot is bothering you! I tend to have foot issues on the top part of my foot -- I've pretty much diagnosed myself with tendonitis, and it comes and goes. I'd second what others have said and suggest that maybe it's a nutritional thing, though, especially if you said it's more of a "shooting" pain and it bothering you when you're not even running. Hope you figure it out soon!
ReplyDeleteouch :( I hope you figure out what the issue is... also, I drink a tonic water now and then for muscle cramps and it helps a lot. Perhaps it would help you too?
ReplyDeleteMaybe use a golf ball to roll your foot over?
ReplyDeleteOnly because foot pain is something I have dealt with in various forms. Is the pain on the top of your foot, or only on the bottom arch of the foot?
ReplyDeleteWhen your resting is it just a sudden cramp that comes. Or were you stretching your foot just before the pain came?
Oh also forgot to ask one more, do you have any pain when you go up on your tip toes?
DeleteI'm no stranger to foot pain, but I don't think I have ever had the type of pain you are talking about. Everyone above me is saying it's hydration or salt issues but wouldn't you think you would have cramps in other areas besides your foot and that it would come during a run? I could be wrong though because I am definitely the farthest thing away from an expert! Have you ever used KT tape on your foot? I was dealing with some major foot pain last week and it did not start getting better until I applied the tape. Just an idea, I hope you figure out what is wrong and/or the pain and cramping goes away soon!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you need to stretch your arch out on a ball or frozen water bottle? Kind of treat it like plantar fasciatiis? Hope it clears up for you, that's awful! My older son always looks miserable when we make him take a hike with us. Maybe they were sight seeing?
ReplyDeleteI haven't had that cramp, but sometimes when I spread my toes out/stretch my toes they will cramp up and get stuck all spread out. It's kind of creepy. And it hurts.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have foot cramping, but not usually when I'm running. It's usually starts in the ball of my foot and then my toes cramp. I swear, stretching my calves helps. I have really tight calves and I wonder if my tight calf muscles pull on the muscles of my feet. Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteI've never had that type of foot cramp but my mom had plantar fasciitis and rolling her arch out with a tennis ball really helped her. Good luck hope it gets better soon!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried doing a few sets of points and flexes before you get out of bed? I had something similar once and that seemed to help. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds painful! Could it possible be too much potassium maybe? I know that happened to me back in high school.
ReplyDeleteOuch! The only time I have had pain like that was when I spent a few days while on vacation walking around in nothing but flip flops. My podiatrist said flip flops are their worst nightmare (I still can't break the habit.) I hope its nothing serious! I usually like to roll my arches with a tennis ball, may be worth a try?? Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI am usually the parent after work at the playground in a dress and high heels trying to chase after Ashton, so I laughed when you said the mother was dressed up.
I get foot cramps all the time when I'm on my feet a lot. They are miserable. Hope you can find an answer. At least it doesn't hurt running. Sleep on the treadmill :)
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