Lifting/spreading toes = tensing up calves (help!)

Julie Amos

Barefooters
Jun 10, 2021
4
0
1
31
Bornholm, Denmark, Europe
#1
Hello!

I'm a novice barefoot runner with a technical question.
I have now finally build up enough strength in my toes to be able to actively lift and stretch them much better when running (in connection with landing).

I have problems with calluses on the extremes of the ball of my feet (under little to and big toe) and so I've got a hunch that I have a tendency not to land on the whole ball of the foot. It feels so much better when I focus on lifting/spreading my toes and distributing the weight unto the whole ball of the foot.

However, I can't help feel that I tense up my calves while doing so. Is this just a matter of fact and unavoidable (that the muscles you use for raising the toes run up through the legs/calves?) or am I doing something wrong? My calves are rather sore after last barefoot run - which was the first in as long (winter's) time though.

I don't want to end up over-focusing on one thing at the expense of another important aspect...

I thank you so much for your input and help! So grateful to have a place like this to turn to :)

Greetings from Sweden
Julie
 
#2
I never concentrated on spreading my toes while running or while lifting my feet to run. I’m wondering if you could be over taxing your calves by doing so, since there is a connection there.

Do you find yourself gripping the ground with your toes when you land, which seems quite possible if you’re actively spreading your toes? If so, that could be the reason for the callouses (blistered first?).

I think you can still balance your weight over the balls of your feet without concentrating so much on your toe placement.

What distances and what speed do you run at? Try not to overdo it.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Welcome!
 
#3
Hey!

Thank you so much for your reply ☺️
The callusses go way back to teenage-hood and are related to bad walking pattern and feet that have been misshaped a bit by conventional shoes (which was what brought me to barefooting in the first place actually) and so not related to this current problem.

Hmm! Not sure about the gripping - it all goes do fast that I'm not quite sure what's happening to be honest

I was thinking maybe next time to try and run with my toespreaders on (I've been too scared they'd get damaged to do so) and then maybe that'll do some or the work for me so that I won't focus too much on that and see if that takes some of the calf strain off.


Appreciate you taking time to answer ☺️
Have a lovely day!
 
#4
Welcome Julie…
I’m no expert, but my input would be very similar to what TJ has suggested-ie everything’s connected, so if you’re trying to stretch your toes whilst running you are probably bound to be adding more load through your calf muscles -hence the soreness post run.
I think I’ve generally found the best advice is actually to forget about your feet in that much detail and just concentrating on lifting them at each stride. They will naturally spread and deal with what you are asking them to do in their own time. Just take your progression slowly -it takes time!
Go easy and enjoy!…:)
 
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#6
Julie Amos said:
Hey!

Thank you so much for your reply ☺️
The callusses go way back to teenage-hood and are related to bad walking pattern and feet that have been misshaped a bit by conventional shoes (which was what brought me to barefooting in the first place actually) and so not related to this current problem.

Hmm! Not sure about the gripping - it all goes do fast that I'm not quite sure what's happening to be honest

I was thinking maybe next time to try and run with my toespreaders on (I've been too scared they'd get damaged to do so) and then maybe that'll do some or the work for me so that I won't focus too much on that and see if that takes some of the calf strain off.


Appreciate you taking time to answer ☺️
Have a lovely day!
Click to expand...
Why do you feel the need to spread your toes while running?

I wouldn't advise wearing the toe spreaders while running; you could injure yourself.

Relax your feet, your legs, and your body. Like Tedlet said, take it easy. It will come. Let us know how you progress.
 
#7
Barefoot TJ said:
Why do you feel the need to spread your toes while running?

I wouldn't advise wearing the toe spreaders while running; you could injure yourself.

Relax your feet, your legs, and your body. Like Tedlet said, take it easy. It will come. Let us know how you progress.
Click to expand...



Thank you for the advice! :)
Hmm, it seems the toe spreading thing is a misunderstanding of mine. Apart that I can feel that it feels better on my callusses. But I guess it's a matter of slowly getting those toes back to a more natural position (I've got toe exercises for that and wearing CorrectToes as much as possible).

Hmm! The toespreaders I use (CorrectToes) are adviced to be used especially when active (including walking and running). Little by little though of course :)

"Can I walk or run in Correct Toes?
Yes! Splayed toes positively impact gait, aid balance and redistribute weight."

"With progressive and cumulative use while active and weight bearing, feet and toes can strengthen in this healthy posture, helping to restore the foot’s original position and function."

Have you had/heard of bad experience with this, or?

Thank you again for the advice and the encouragement - I really appreciate it!
 
#8
I actually own a pair of Correct Toes, and I purchased them precisely because of the marketing language you pasted into your post.

I have Morton’s Neuroma and hoped that these would spread my toes to alleviate the compression of the nerves that run between the metatarsals, basically what Morton’s Neuroma is, a debilitating nerve entrapment condition that causes severe scarring on the nerve sheath, affected two in each foot in my case. Yay me!

But I don’t think they meant for you to run with them *barefoot* even though they gave me a free pair, and someone I spoke to there said you could (It’s been years, but I think I actually spoke to the developer, Dr. Ray McClanahan or his assistant.)

I tried, believe it or not, and they just don’t stay on very well. The only way they would stay on is if you clinched your toes into them, which, of course, wouldn’t be good for your toes, feet, gait, etc. I found them extremely clumsy and uncomfortable right off the bat, so I scrapped them. Have you tried to run barefoot with them yet? If so, how did it go?

I even tried sleeping with them, but after a few minutes, I found them painful and took them off, but that could just be my condition. They’ve been in my BFR drawer ever since.

So, that’s why I asked you why you felt the need to spread your toes.

Can you share a picture of the calluses on both your feet, but only if you’re comfortable doing so?
 
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