Stiff feet

Spinningwoman · Jul 28, 2013

Just to make sure I'm not ignoring something I shouldn't... I'm about 2 months in with being barefoot or wearing minimal shoes now, being still very careful with the running (not 2 days running, stopping when I get tired etc and very short distances, barefoot except for xeros on gravel paths).

I don't get any pain, but my feet do seem to stiffen up whenever I'm not moving for a while. They loosen up within a few steps, but the first ten steps or so in the morning are a hobble, and the same if I've been sitting or driving for an hour or so. It doesn't seem any better or worse on running/non running days, even after a two or three day break. Going on tiptoe and down again to kind of run the joints through seems to fix it OK. I'm assuming it is just because even just walking barefoot/minimalist is a workout for my feet at this point. I'm using the tiger tail roller and a golf ball for my feet, and my impression is that that helps.

DNEchris · Jul 28, 2013

Welcome to the club!

I think everyone goes through this. All part of the necessary development.

swoggis · Jul 28, 2013

Ditto. I went through the "tight, achy feet in the morning" phase for the first few months of transition. Eventually, your feet finish remodeling themselves and you won't get that anymore. Pain that persists even after you've warmed up (especially along the tops of your feet) or sharp, burning pain is something that you need to watch out for and is going to feel very different.

Barefoot Gentile · Jul 28, 2013

Completely normal.

happysongbird · Jul 28, 2013

I'm stiff a lot of mornings for a couple of years now, in my feet and generally. It doesn't seem to be directly correlated to what activity I have done the previous day. No pain and after just a few steps and some gentle, classic early morning yawn stretching, it is gone. I only run 3 times a week. I am physically active most days, too, so it's not like it's something new to my body. I am barefoot almost exclusively for the last year, excepting very cold runs outside, and I was barefoot a lot for a couple of years before that, so my feet should certainly have adapted by now. Just FYI. I figure the barefoot running allowed me to run more at the same time of life that my body was adjusting to certain aging factors, so it has been hard to differentiate.

Spinningwoman · Jul 28, 2013

Thanks, everyone! It felt pretty normal, but good to have the reassurance.

Darkand · Jul 28, 2013

Yep! Still have it! Only the stiffness feels tightly sprung, if that makes sense. Like if I went for a run, the muscles in my feet are coiled and ready to go. A good runs sorts em out!

Larry · Jul 28, 2013

Now that I think about it, I don't notice this much anymore, and I definitely used to feel a bit stiff when starting. I think it passes as your feet get used to things.

Barefoot Dama · Jul 29, 2013

Larry said:
Now that I think about it, I don't notice this much anymore, and I definitely used to feel a bit stiff when starting. I think it passes as your feet get used to things.

It does go away with more BFR experience.

Barefoot TJ · Jul 29, 2013

I hate to go against the grain here, but sounds like you're developing plantar fasciitis. Please post this in the Ask the Docs forum too. Otherwise, before you take that first step after being idle, stretch your feet and your toes, get them warmed up before you step, and if you can, sleep with some night splints. Night splints will keep you from reinjuring the fascia with each first step of the morning. The reason it is so difficult to heal from PF is because the fascia gets reinjured all over again each time you take a step after the fascia has been cold for awhile. I hope it's not PF and just growing pains, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Please ask the docs. :doctor:

Spinningwoman · Jul 29, 2013

I've reposted it there, thanks TJ. But doesn't PF involve heel pain?

Barefoot TJ · Jul 29, 2013

Your complaint of "first step" pain is common with PF.

This is the "typical" location for pain, but it can radiate in either direction:

Spinningwoman · Jul 29, 2013

I would have said it was centred round the ball of the foot - rolling up onto tip toe and back loosens it up - I'll pay more attention next time it happens!

JosephTree · Jul 30, 2013

I would think that PF would persist a bit longer in the AM. I'm with the rest of the crew (not with Ms. Doom&Gloom, NoDarkCloudButLightningLurksCloseBy) who found such stiff and soreness as part of our development process. I think it's a function of bones growing stronger.

Refer it to "Ask the Docs" by all means.

Barefoot TJ · Jul 30, 2013

Hey! I said I hope it's just growing pains, but it's better to be safe than sorry and talk to a doc...maybe even see one if the pain persists.

Spinningwoman · Aug 2, 2013

Interestingly, after my run yesterday where I used a metronome to keep a 180 cadence, my feet are far less stiff this morning. They felt less tired during the run as well, despite it being a very hot day.