Forefoot Numbness

I am still fighting this nasty cold/cough thing.  I have been hacking up nasty stuff from my lungs.  I am going to run this evening with my sister for the first time since Friday.  Hopefully, it will make me feel better not worse.  I really can't take off any more time.  We are getting close to race day.  We are doing 3x2 mile repeats at half marathon pace. woo-hoo!

 I was reading on someone's blog about their feet going numb while running.  I can't remember which blog but I saw this article in an email from Fleet Feet this morning and thought I would pass it on.  Maybe the person will see it.

Sometimes my feet go numb when I work out. What's happening and what do I do?    In many cases, forefoot numbness or tingling is caused by the repeated pinching of nerves, either (1) under the ball of the foot due to downward pressure or (2) between the toes due to the forefoot being squeezed by the shoe.    Athletes who cycle or use an elliptical trainer are most prone to foot numbness because the forefoot remains constantly on the pedal - and thus constantly pressured and widened.  Treadmill runners who vary neither speed nor incline are also at greater risk because their gait is unusually repetitive.  Outdoor runners who often run on flat, concrete roads are also prime suspects.    If you suffer from forefoot numbness, consider the following the next time you lace up your shoes for a  workout: Is your shoe wide enough?  When standing, your forefoot should not spill over the side(s) of the shoe.  If you fear the toebox may be too narrow for you, ensure that your forefoot has room to spread by skipping the bottom set of eyelets (i.e., the ones even with the ball of your foot) and lace the rest of the shoe as usual.  Is your shoe long enough?  When standing, the widest part of your foot should be even with the widest part of the shoe.  If the ball of your foot sits forward of the widest part of the shoe, the shoe is too short for you and the toebox is probably too small. Is your arch properly supported?  If not, your midfoot is not carrying enough of the load and you are over-pressuring your forefoot.  Adding a supportive orthotic or switching to a higher-arched shoe will better balance the load. If you will be cycling or elliptical training, occassionally scrunch and stretch your feet and incorporate a set of backward spins every so often. If on the treadmill, regularly change the incline and speed to encourage changes to your gait and strike pattern. That's all I got for now. My fuzzy brain won't let me think anymore.  That silly baby still won't let me sleep at night.  Of course she is taking a nice long afternoon nap when I have to be awake.    I am thinking of investing in some earplugs for the family;)  Happy St. Pat's!