Ankle Pains

[dscanlan]

Hi All,

I've been running in vibrams since the end of 2015 and i've been very happy. The first month was full of sore calf muscles but that's nothing new, right?!

BUT, in the last month i've developed a sharp pain on the outside of my right ankle. To cut a long story short i have been to see a podiatrist who made it very clear that front strike running was bad for you and then attempted to sell me insoles (and told to buy some neutral shoes).

As i said i have been fine up until now so i'm a little dubious on the prejudice views of someone who wanted me to switch straight back to heel striking.

I am in Cheshire, Uk. Does anyone know of a technique coach or at least someone that could help me out without dismissing front striking totally?

 

[Wanderer Jiyuren]

I went it alone from 2009 until last month when I found this place, so I can't refer you anywhere, But I do have a question about your mileage and how fast you transitioned off of heel striking. I'd also like to know if you do any exercises currently to strengthen the muscles that you've been working to strengthen since beginning your forefoot strike journey.

https://www.thebarefootrunners.org/threads/barefoot-friendly-doctors-specialists-map.416/ additionally, there is this.

 

[dscanlan]

Thanks for the reply.

Mileage is low. 3,4,5,6 miles dependant on the day. I'm not a big runner.

Transition was 1mile for a few weeks and my calf muscles felt it. Then slowly raised it by half a mile bi weekly.

I've always done leg strengthening which included calf raises.

 

[Wanderer Jiyuren]

mm, you should definitely find someone then. I'm sorry I can't be more help in that regard, but it worries me greatly that you're having this problem within the first year of transitioning. The only thing I can suggest with my complete and utter lack of medical training is drop your mileage for a bit, or run on softer surfaces in vibrams. If it doesn't get better.... maybe stop running for a couple weeks. But please consult an actual physician.

 

[Barefoot TJ]

https://www.thebarefootrunners.org/threads/barefoot-friendly-doctors-specialists-map.416/ additionally, there is this.

Thank you, Wanderer!

 

[Barefoot TJ]

I've always done leg strengthening which included calf raises.

What about strengthening the ankles specifically?

Feel free to join the United Kingdom Chapter through the Chapters link above and post there as well. And you can also post in the Ask the Docs forum too.

Welcome!

 

[Bryan Harris]

When I was starting out I had a stress fracture and followed this below page to fix it. It took about 3-6 months before I could run again. It took a long time but it works.

https://camille-herron.squarespace.com/blog/2011/05/11/overcoming-stress-fractures

I think you should approach this from a backwards direction. Only run once per week and still limit to say 5 miles at first. Then give yourself a whole week to recover. I say you should definitely be rolling a jar or a tennis ball underneath your foot to stretch it out and also that you should not run once every day without recovery/rest time. If you have a desk job it is perfect, just roll/stretch your foot all day all week, then run once on Saturday 5 miles, next Saturday 6 miles, then 7, or however you feel. But that is just my $0.02.

V/r,
Bryan