Calling all Endurance Athletes

[dirtygirl1]

So I competed at the Worlds for 24hr Solo racing on the weekend of Sept 1/2

My body is recovering well (even the poison oak) except for my toes. They are still 'sleeping'. They feel like they are asleep and are not getting normal circulation yet. I've done several 24 hr races and even adventure races and never had this issue.

I've tried rubbing my toes ... they have feeling (are not numb) but are not normal yet. Anyone had this issue before? Any suggestions?

[DirtDiva]

No idea about the poor tootsies (go see the doc, I guess), but well done on the worlds thing. Just completing a 24hr solo race is amazing, let alone at that level!

[luv'nAustin]

congrats! What a race that must have been! Hope your toes are feeling back to normal soon.

[dirtygirl1]

Thanks ladies

I've posted my race report here http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...647#post243647

to give some background. Any help with the toes issue is appreciated.

[Veronica]

Maybe your feet swelled more than normal since it was really hot. I've had a similar feeling to what you describe on the bottom of my feet and most recently on the side. It seems to happen only when it's really hot and I'm riding for several hours - usually climbing in the heat.

The first time it lasted for days.

Are your toes turning a weird color? When you push down on them with your hand does the color return normally?

Congrats on your awesome finish too!

V.

[Wahine]

My feet go numb on my Half Iron and Iron races. My cause is mechanical pressure on the nerves but it goes away a few hours after the race.

Do you still have any signs of electrolyte imbalance? Are you feeling well generally?

[maillotpois]

I didn't get anything like that after my 600k last year (or any of my doubles in the time before that), but after my 400k and at least one of my doubles this year I remember having some toe numbness "issues". I've had hot foot this year, too, which I'd never had before.

How are your shoes? Any changes in the last year or so? Swelling may have something to do with it for sure, but I'm also starting to wonder if a carbon sole shoe is the best idea for ultra endurance events. I switched from regular plastic-y soled road shoes to a carbon soled shoe before this season. The fit seems fine and is very adjustable, but I wonder if for an ultra endurance event your feet want a little more forgiveness than the carbon soles offer. Just a theory. For my next double I'll be using my old shoes just to see.

[Running Mommy]

Hmmm... Not toes, but hands in my case. I impinged (sp??) both ulnar nerves (left and right arm) to the point that I had claw hands for a couple of weeks and residual effects for about 3 months after ironman. In my case the doc said there wasn't much I could do. The nerves would repair themselves as long as I laid off the aerobars for awhile. And luckily they did. But I felt like I was never going to regain full use of them again.
I have no idea if what is going on in your tootsies is remotely related? Like the lower body version?
I hate to try to play doctor ('cause I didn't stay in a holiday inn express lastnight ), but I would wait a couple of days to see if it gets any better. Of course if there is a discoloration, feet are overly hot or cold, any other symptoms, you really feel like something is going on (you know that sixth sense that something is going on) then by all means- CALL THE DOC.

Anyway, hope your toes come back to life! This endurance stuff is hard on the ol bod huh?!
And CONGRATS on the race! 24 hours SOLO! And people think *I* am nuts!!!

[han-grrl]

Hey DD

A friend of OURS told me once that the bottoms of bike shoes are quite stiff and over longer rides can cause compression on nerves and such. She mentioned to wiggle toes while riding to loosen things up.

I am guessing that custom orthotics can help minimize things as well as ensuring proper cleat position over pedals. (so you are pedalling through the right parts of your foot).

Another buddy of mine said that he has had nerve damage in his hands from his solo races, which i guess hasn't fully repaired itself.

Perhaps a good massage to loosen the muscles around the foot and toes would help?

Smile!
Han

[dirtygirl1]

Thanks for the over-whelming response.

yes, I was wearing carbon-soled shoes ... but they are shoes I've been wearing for 3 years now (same brand, style and size, newer shoe). I DID have to walk/run a ways on these shoes b/c of the thorn in my tire ... which I don't normally do. Perhaps this is what caused the issue?

The color in my toes IS normal (it took a few days but it is now!) a nice white when i put pressure and then pretty pink when i release ... so at least my toes won't be falling off any time soon

My electolyte balance seems fine. No cramps or spasms ...

I am going to go with the 'give it some time' and 'massage' options ... and we'll see what happens. Please keep bringing your ideas/thoughts to the table - it all helps

maillotpois - let me know how the shoe swap works. I am curious! I've always used hard-soled shoes and prefer them as they alleviate pressure points on the pads of the feet while riding ...

Hannah - nice to see you here. A country apart but the DirtyGirlz are never too far away!

[echidna]

Dirty -
I'd hesitate to say that it's "normal". But I've had it happen, too. Usually related to nerve compression and should recover with time. Expect weeks, though, not days. I'm a vet of several 24 hour (and longer) road races.

Now your trick is to figure out what was different this time that made it happen (different shoes, heat, swelling???) and head it off at the pass next time. Things are different after 12 hours.

Best of luck and of course if it doesn't get better, ask your doc.

[Dianyla]

I once gave myself a neuropathy (nerve damage) while on a monthlong walking trip. The main cause was a combination of electrolyte imbalance and poorly fitting footwear that caused my feet to swell in my hiking boots and cut off circulation. Also, walking on those swollen feet for 15-25 miles daily for days on end... I think the constant pounding on hard surfaces may have also been a factor. By the time I got to the end, I couldn't feel 2-3 toes on each foot.

Nerves regrow at the rate of about 1/2" per month. It took a few months before I could feel all my toes again, all the way down to the tips.

Hopefully your situation is just temporary compression caused by swelling.

[mimitabby]

several of my friends participated in the Paris Brest Paris ride last month. it's 1200 Km in 90 hours. Most of them have some toe or finger numbness. I was told that it USUALLY goes away in 6 months.

[ginny]

I have done the same thing in my hand. It was kind of fun playing with the finger that wasn't quite right... then one day I was messing with it and realized it was okay again... took about 4 months. So, I would figure the same with the toes. Good luck and congrats on the race!