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?

[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!