Calling all Endurance Athletes

[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