Running & Foot Health Links

I've been dealing with what I think is a minor plantar fasciitis issue for the last few months. I actually think it's been going on for longer than that, as I had these issues back when I raced the Dino Valley 25K a couple years ago. I just ignored it then, dealt with the morning pain until training was over and then it faded. Back in May, however, I was ramping up mileage and noticed the morning heel pain return. In denial, I just kept running, but when we all got pneumonia in June and the pain went away because I couldn't run anymore, it was hard to deny something needed to change before it spun out of control.

So I took about 3 full weeks off of running in July — I swam for a couple of weeks (which I hated), and just continued lifting and doing some rehab exercises.

I started running again this week, but I have also added daily taping for my foot. One of the major things I noticed in this timeframe was if I wore running shoes during the day, I had significantly less tightness/pain in the mornings. After more research, I started taping my foot as well. I have never been a believer in taping of any kind, to be honest. But it has truly been a game changer for me. Far less pain, and even when I'm sitting for a while and get up to walk around, I experience almost no tightness in my heel. Great indicators that it's working.

Anyway, I'm only writing this as reminder to my future self. Some of the resources I have been using are below:

Foot taping technique - biggest win

Plantar Fasciitis Handout - NHS UK - particular the heel raises on a raised step

Fixing Your Feet - Still haven't read this yet, but it's top of my "next athletic reads" list.

Tagged: running