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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 16, 2015 15:02:29 GMT -8
On my first day, which was just under 10 miles, I was whipped. Sure it was hills galore but that wasn't the largest issue. What hurt so bad was the front part of my feet, the ball of my foot area. A attributed it initially to the fact I wasn't used to doing a long hike like that and ESPECIALLY on such up and down hills. I know that can put different stresses on the foot. I wear the boots pictured below. I realized tht I did not have them laced up the whole way as when I do that I don't get as much flexing in the ankle and usually I'm on flatter ground. I tightened the laces down near my toes and laced them up all the way and that seemed to help. On days 2 and 3 they did start to hurt on the last half of my hike (about 5 miles each day) but I was hoping that it was because I'd "bruised" them up on the first day. I did some reading up on this and certainly the fact my feet were not used to it, hilly, etc. are all contributing factors it may also seem that it may be because there isn't enough cushion in the shoes to help with absorbing energy on the front part of my foot. Additionally not the right kind of support in the right areas. Several on the magic internet have solved their issue with the RIGHT support, just have to find what that needs to be. I had leg and hips left at the end of day 1 and certainly day 2 and 3. The limiting factor was my forefoot, also known as the Metatarsalgia Ball according to the magic internet. Any experience in this? I want to be able to do the 10 miles a day if my body can handle it and not have a shoe setup limit me. If there is a limit I want it to be ME.  |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 16, 2015 15:13:06 GMT -8
Hmm...at a guess, I'd suggest good insoles and more practice wearing the boots--break your feet in to both the boots and the mileage more slowly. Others here have heard my cautionary tale, but you're new, so I'll tell it anyway:
In 1990, I was working as a bike messenger. I was wicked fit on that account, but it was a wet and cold spring, so I didn't do much hiking. Come July, I hit the trail at the Canadian border (lie #1; you can study a map and figure out I didn't do that by the book), headed 200 miles south to US 2. I hit my stride fast (I was also only 27) and covered 15+ miles most days. My pack was a bit weighty (lie #2: my pack was about 40% of my body weight), but I dealt with it fine. What didn't handle the mileage well was--you guessed it--my feet. I developed about every problem you can imagine, from plantar faciitis (I think; I hadn't heard of it at that time), neruomas, and just plain beaten-to-death feet. I ate ibuprofen like candy and actually cried sometimes because they hurt so bad. Nor have my feet ever fully recovered--I'm pretty sure some of my on-going issues can be traced back to that abuse.
And the problem was largely due to not having trained my feet at all to be pounded all day every day in a heavy, stiff, unpadded boot. The biking had left me very fit, everywhere but the feet. It probably didn't help that this was still the day of the all-leather boot with a shank.
Since then I have switched to lightweight boots, use custom insoles, and train by hiking and running year 'round. My feet still give me hell sometimes, but it's never that bad. Of course, I haven't done that many miles since, either. It remains to be seen if I could pull it off.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 16:31:57 GMT -8
My big question is this: How well were the boots broken in before you went hiking in them?
I always wear new boots around the house or out in the yard or for short durations just about anywhere else before attempting to hike in them. I may do that for two weeks before relying upon them when hiking. There is no time limit. I make sure they have become custom fit to my feet before I attempt to put several miles at a time on those boots. That means that I may wear the boots for one hour one day, two hours the next, or whatever. That way I give my feet a rest between breaking in the boots.
"Fabric" boots generally break in more quickly than all-leather boots. However, the removable insoles may be the last thing on fabric boots to actually adjust to my feet. If your boots have removable insoles, try taking them out and looking at them. If you've made good progress at breaking them in, there will be a clear imprint into the insoles of the exact shape of your feet.
Your feet are unique to you. Even the best boot manufacturers cannot produce a boot to match the bottom of your foot. That is what form-fitting insoles are for. And form-fitting insoles need to be broken in to your foot and only your foot. Briefly put, how many miles did you have on the boots before you went hiking in them?
Other ideas: 1) Maybe you need wide-size boots instead of regular-sized boots. All size 10 boots, for instance, are not the same. If you have a wide foot, you need wide boot sizes. 2) Boots are designed to be laced up all the way. If tightening the area nearest your toes makes your instep too tight, or something on that order, then learn some tricks of creative tying. Tighten the laces near the toes, then stop and tie a knot, then allow the laces above that point to be less tight. Backpacker Magazine and REI have webpages on this. Maybe I can track down the links later on.
In addition to what Rebecca has posted above, those are a few things that come to mind at first look.
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 16, 2015 16:53:35 GMT -8
Hmm...at a guess, I'd suggest good insoles and more practice wearing the boots--break your feet in to both the boots and the mileage more slowly. Others here have heard my cautionary tale, but you're new, so I'll tell it anyway: I do think that good insoles, more miles building up to the hike, etc. are very important. Certainly things that I did not do. And come to think of it these are replacement boots for a pair that had an issue and the manufacturer took care of. Also that's a great story of what youth will allow you to do. |
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 16, 2015 16:56:55 GMT -8
My big question is this: How well were the boots broken in before you went hiking in them? I was just remembering that these were replacement boots. So it seems I have several things to do. Break them in. Good insoles. Get my feet in better shape. While I'm hiking and going up those hills I'm trying to figure out what trails could possibly replicate those hills. It turns out I walk/run a challenging set of steps at a nearby earthen damn. I can easily go beside the steps on the grass. It's the kind of workout that would prepare me for most any hike I'll go on in driving distance. |
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 16, 2015 17:01:11 GMT -8
Other ideas: 1) Maybe you need wide-size boots instead of regular-sized boots. All size 10 boots, for instance, are not the same. If you have a wide foot, you need wide boot sizes. 2) Boots are designed to be laced up all the way. If tightening the area nearest your toes makes your instep too tight, or something on that order, then learn some tricks of creative tying. Tighten the laces near the toes, then stop and tie a knot, then allow the laces above that point to be less tight. Backpacker Magazine and REI have webpages on this. Maybe I can track down the links later on. I think the width is good but good suggestion. I've experimented with different lace configurations before. Know what I did not do? When the pain started I did not stop and try to figure it out, I just assumed it was because my feet were out of shape for the hike I was on. One demerit to me. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 17:05:35 GMT -8
Oh well, as long as you recover, you're working on it now. That's what counts. By the way, I'd never admit how many demerits I've earned over the years. I've learned many things more than once.  |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 16, 2015 17:23:55 GMT -8
I've learned many things more than once. Doesn't Zeke have a sig line about that? Something about learning by doing everything wrong at least 3 times  Sometime we'll have to have a "confessions" thread where we wise elders (snort giggle) admit how we got that way. Or how lucky we are to still be here. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 17:27:26 GMT -8
I've learned many things more than once. Doesn't Zeke have a sig line about that? Something about learning by doing everything wrong at least 3 times . . . Zeke must be a fast learner.  |
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mk
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Post by mk on Dec 16, 2015 18:44:09 GMT -8
I haven't been able to eliminate the screaming pain in my toes while hiking, but I have lessened it. What's worked for me is the widest toe boxes I can find, orthotics from the podiatrist that get some of the pressure off of the forefoot, and not lacing over my toes at all for maximum space. My pain was originally diagnosed as neuromas and I had many alcohol injections to try to numb the nerves. It did work somewhat -- the pain is definitely better. But now we think it may be something else (sorry - can't remember what it's called). The podiatrist explained to me that when you walk, there is a point where all of your body weight is on one little bone in your forefoot. So if you continue to have problems, you may want to have it checked out. Tendon involvement could be permanent. And there's always the possibility of stress fracture, which can occur just from walking around.
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 16, 2015 19:14:02 GMT -8
Thanks mk, I'll keep that in mind. For now it was just this one hike, which of course as mentioned in this thread there were a few things I could have done differently. I'm going to give it a few more days even though I don't have any pain and then start to follow the suggestions given here. If the pain continues as I ramp up the effort I am certainly going to get it checked out. |
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Post by Coolkat on Dec 16, 2015 19:28:31 GMT -8
And there's always the possibility of stress fracture, which can occur just from walking around. I walked around for a year with a sore ball-joint in my right foot. Finally went to the doc and found out it was broken and was in cast for 6 weeks. He said it would have never healed otherwise. It still gets sore long before anything else in my foot. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 16, 2015 20:07:09 GMT -8
Zeke must be a fast learner. He said "at least"  |
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RumiDude
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Post by RumiDude on Dec 16, 2015 23:28:54 GMT -8
Every foot is different. I rarely wear boots except in the winter snow or when I will be off-trail significantly. For trails I wear low top trail runners and such. I also like footwear with sufficient room in the toe box. Enough of my personal prefs and on to more generalized stuff.
I wear Superfeet inserts ALL the time. There are other inserts that are good as well. Most will cost you between $25 to $50 and are worth every cent. They help keep you foot in proper position. Always keep your footwear laced up unless there is a specific reason. Again, this helps to keep your foot in proper position.
If you are wearing the Asolos pictured in your first post in this thread, then it is unlikely you got a stone bruise through those soles. What is more likely is simply the pounding of the ground made the balls of your feet sore. Taping the foot can sometimes help, but the real solution is simply to get more trail miles on your feet.
When I get into camp I take my shoes/boots off and wear Crocs. They are butt ugly but they are light and soft. If I stop on the trail for more than 10 minutes, I at least loosen my shoes if I don't take them off. I use hiking poles and make sure I am not over striding.
Rumi <~~~~sole survivor
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Dec 17, 2015 5:43:54 GMT -8
These are just awful. I've one in each tibia from doubling my running distance without proper acclimatization; ended my trail running season in short order. Didn't seem to affect my backpacking though (no pain or sensitivity at the fracture point during or after hiking). I tread pretty lightly so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Sounds like both your boots and your feet need a few more miles before they've aced this backpacking thing. My own foot horror story from this passed weekend was that I forgot to trim my toe nails before I left. Although my toes don't hit the end of my shoes' toebox, the nails did and left me with sore nail beds and roots. |
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