My feet are holding me back

Hey everybody, i'm a new member - i was wondering if anyone has experienced foot pain while biking. I've been biking for the last 10 years or so and in the last few, i've been experiencing worse and worse pain in the balls of my feet. It usually starts up about 20 miles into the ride and by the time i get to about 30 miles, it's pretty unbearable. Once i stop riding, it pretty much goes away. I've tried different shoes, different pedals, inserts, advil etc. but no relief. It's really limiting my distance - i'd love to ride farther, but it hurts too much. :(

Did you try metatarsal buttons?

Shoes with a wider toe box (or have REI stretch the toe box you have already)?

Tying your shoes looser?

Thin socks?

Cleated sandals?

Intrinsic foot muscle exercises?

Flat (non cleated) pedals?

Thanks for the good advice -- I am using non cleated pedals now, because that seemed to hurt more. I'm not familiar with metatarsil buttons or intrinsic foot muscle exercises - could you please explain?

Hey Jacki-
I don't have a lot to add to what Knott said other than do a search for "hot feet" and you will find a lot of other suggestions as this is a pretty common problem.

The real reason I had to respond to your post was that I saw you were from Mukwonago, WI... I actually know where that is! I grew up in Wales, not too far from there! Bet you didn't think you would find someone who had actually heard of Mukwonago on this forum!

Welcome to TE, it is a great place with a ton of great women.
Ellen

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Originally Posted by Jacki

Thanks for the good advice -- I am using non cleated pedals now, because that seemed to hurt more. I'm not familiar with metatarsil buttons or intrinsic foot muscle exercises - could you please explain?

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Metatarsal buttons go on top of your insoles, just behind the metatarsal heads. (have a good shoe store put them on for you) They support your metatarsal arch so the nerves in the ball of your foot don't get squeezed by the weak and collapsing arch. (do you have a callous somewhere on the ball of your foot? That's a pretty good sign of a very collapsed met arch or dropped met head.)

Intrinsic muscles in your forefoot wiggle your toes and support the metatarsal arch. Search TE for "foot exercises", there's a good description of a few. (if that search doesn't work, search "Fist and splay")

Hey thanks Ellen -- You're right! I never thought anyone on here would have heard of Mukwonago! That is so funny! I was just in Wales yesterday (Le Duc's :p ) How long have you been in California? Thanks too for the hot feet idea - i'll definitely check that out - Jacki

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Metatarsal buttons go on top of your insoles, just behind the metatarsal heads. (have a good shoe store put them on for you) They support your metatarsal arch so the nerves in the ball of your foot don't get squeezed by the weak and collapsing arch. (do you have a callous somewhere on the ball of your foot? That's a pretty good sign of a very collapsed met arch or dropped met head.)

Intrinsic muscles in your forefoot wiggle your toes and support the metatarsal arch. Search TE for "foot exercises", there's a good description of a few. (if that search doesn't work, search "Fist and splay")

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Thanks for explaining - i really appreciate it! I'll look into both of these -- Jacki

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Originally Posted by Jacki

Hey thanks Ellen -- You're right! I never thought anyone on here would have heard of Mukwonago! That is so funny! I was just in Wales yesterday (Le Duc's :p ) How long have you been in California? Thanks too for the hot feet idea - i'll definitely check that out - Jacki

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Ahhhh... Le Duc's... you are really cruel to bring them up.... people don't even know what frozen custard is out in CA :eek: I have been in CA for 6 years, but before that I lived in MN for ~8 years, so it has been a while since I have lived in Wales. But when I did live in MN I was able to get Le Duc's every time we went down to visit family in Milwaukee... oh I miss it....Enjoy a cup for me next time you get some!

Ellen

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Originally Posted by PABadger

Ahhhh... Le Duc's... you are really cruel to bring them up.... people don't even know what frozen custard is out in CA :eek: I have been in CA for 6 years, but before that I lived in MN for ~8 years, so it has been a while since I have lived in Wales. But when I did live in MN I was able to get Le Duc's every time we went down to visit family in Milwaukee... oh I miss it....Enjoy a cup for me next time you get some!

Ellen

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Are you serious? No frozen custard in CA? That's unthinkable!!! haha . . . i will definitely think of you the next time i go to Le Duc's. You know what though, you really are in a better place -- i get so frustrated with winter. You must pretty much get to ride outside all year long in CA. I would definitely pass on the frozen custard for that luxury!