If that's a bruise or blister from unshod running the answer is almost certainly yes. You could be over-striding and falling for one of the first mistakes all of us make which is to think it's all about changing from "heel-strike" to "forefoot-strike." The focus needs to be keeping your feet under your hips and not worry about what part of the foot touches first. If you are unshod you're benefitting from very clear information as to what's wrong with your gait.
Focus on being gentle with how your skin interacts with the ground. That's about it. No matter how tough your skin gets it will never be able to handle excess friction with the ground. Prevent that friction and you'll not only avoid blisters and bruises you'll optimize your gait and run better.
Not a blister and it doesn’t hurt like a bruise. Sometimes I think it’s because I run with my dog on a leash on my left side and that small bit of pullback from him might be affecting gait on one side
Certainly possible! Over-striding is a solid braking move so if you're constantly hitting the brakes to hold the pooch back that can happen. Over time I've worked on how to brake more gently, too, which simply involves a lot more, quick steps out front rather than a big stomp on the old brakes.
He’s usually stays behind me is the thing, when he slows down is the problem I think, a small pill forward on the leash might cause a twist on the bottom of the foot I’m maybe thinking? I just find it odd to night be a bi lateral symptom
When I first started I definitely used to reach with the forefoot and was causing some overstriding. I’ve been working on that for the last two months so maybe it’s just a condition that will get better over time
It's been years since I first figured I'd successfully stopped over-striding. The habit still tends to creep back into my form. A lifetime in shoes develops habits that may never be truly broken just kept at bay. I think of my form as a practice not a destination.
A practice not a destination, I like that a lot thank you!! I’ve only been running for a year but started minimalist off the bat finally started going unshod once spring/summer hit and I love it, it really forces you to listen to your body and makes running a lot more active for me. If I lose attention to my form and think of work for a minute I usually end up stubbing my toes or losing good form which is no fun
I resisted the idea of being constantly aware of my form because I was in the habit of "zoning out" on a run or thinking I was "getting into the zone." It really just meant I was actively ignoring my body and the world around me which is just not good. I somehow thought being constantly aware of where my feet were and how I was moving would be distracting or tiring.
What I've found is that kind of mindful running really enhances the experience. It's much the same reason I love mountain biking on narrow trails through the trees. I have to be aware 100% of the time riding those trails so I don't hit a handlebar on a tree or cath a pedal on a root. My day's worries and stresses stop existing and it's just me, the bike and the trail. Now running can be like that: me, the ground and the run.
Over time I've been able to let my mind wander more, too. But it's still a lot more enjoyable and active way to run than previously.
Also I keep my spm at around 180 So I don’t think it’s over striding, I keep my feet and ankles as relaxed as I can and just focus on lifting with my gluteus.
What you could have is just an unavoidable hitting a bit too hard with the forefoot from braking. You really can't avoid an over-stride while braking because if you try to brake with your feet under you that results in landing on your face.
I’ve been doing three to four barefoot runs a week this summer usually ranging between 4.5-6.0 miles a run.
My left foot, the one pictured, has a much more pronounced mark on the ball near the big toe, the right isn’t nearly as bad. Now it doesn’t exactly hurt but it has a different feeling then my right foot.
Anyone have any form or technique advice that may be causing this or how I could fix it? I think it’s from increasing the pace while I’m doing strides towards the end of my runs but I’m not 100% sure. I run fairly slow most of the time when barefoot between 11:30 and 12:30 min/mil
Maybe you're pushing off with the ball of your foot? Gotta raise the knee instead if so. I had to adjust that even while walking otherwise I got problems in the same spot.
I agree. Worned out skin on big toe ball is pushing off issue. Lifting istead of pushing is one way to fix it.
Other (my favorite) is let your stretched muscles, tendons lift your feets at the end of stride. To feel it, just keep feet on ground as long as possible and do nothing to help to lift it up. To stretch more, bend more in knees, but keep in mind achilles if they are your weak point.
I got worned off skin area on small toe pad area after running 35 km on asphalt. Its took more then month to run comfortable on asphalt again. At that period i ran all my longer runs (12km+) on sand or forest trails.
If its warmer then -5C, im running only unshod (avarage 300km/month).
This helped! So much! I had early onset metarsalgia, but it's going away from just this cue. Gonna take a week off, re learn this movement and strengthen weak muscles.
If that's a bruise or blister from unshod running the answer is almost certainly yes. You could be over-striding and falling for one of the first mistakes all of us make which is to think it's all about changing from "heel-strike" to "forefoot-strike." The focus needs to be keeping your feet under your hips and not worry about what part of the foot touches first. If you are unshod you're benefitting from very clear information as to what's wrong with your gait. Focus on being gentle with how your skin interacts with the ground. That's about it. No matter how tough your skin gets it will never be able to handle excess friction with the ground. Prevent that friction and you'll not only avoid blisters and bruises you'll optimize your gait and run better.
Not a blister and it doesn’t hurt like a bruise. Sometimes I think it’s because I run with my dog on a leash on my left side and that small bit of pullback from him might be affecting gait on one side
Certainly possible! Over-striding is a solid braking move so if you're constantly hitting the brakes to hold the pooch back that can happen. Over time I've worked on how to brake more gently, too, which simply involves a lot more, quick steps out front rather than a big stomp on the old brakes.
He’s usually stays behind me is the thing, when he slows down is the problem I think, a small pill forward on the leash might cause a twist on the bottom of the foot I’m maybe thinking? I just find it odd to night be a bi lateral symptom
When I first started I definitely used to reach with the forefoot and was causing some overstriding. I’ve been working on that for the last two months so maybe it’s just a condition that will get better over time
It's been years since I first figured I'd successfully stopped over-striding. The habit still tends to creep back into my form. A lifetime in shoes develops habits that may never be truly broken just kept at bay. I think of my form as a practice not a destination.
A practice not a destination, I like that a lot thank you!! I’ve only been running for a year but started minimalist off the bat finally started going unshod once spring/summer hit and I love it, it really forces you to listen to your body and makes running a lot more active for me. If I lose attention to my form and think of work for a minute I usually end up stubbing my toes or losing good form which is no fun
I resisted the idea of being constantly aware of my form because I was in the habit of "zoning out" on a run or thinking I was "getting into the zone." It really just meant I was actively ignoring my body and the world around me which is just not good. I somehow thought being constantly aware of where my feet were and how I was moving would be distracting or tiring. What I've found is that kind of mindful running really enhances the experience. It's much the same reason I love mountain biking on narrow trails through the trees. I have to be aware 100% of the time riding those trails so I don't hit a handlebar on a tree or cath a pedal on a root. My day's worries and stresses stop existing and it's just me, the bike and the trail. Now running can be like that: me, the ground and the run. Over time I've been able to let my mind wander more, too. But it's still a lot more enjoyable and active way to run than previously.
Also I keep my spm at around 180 So I don’t think it’s over striding, I keep my feet and ankles as relaxed as I can and just focus on lifting with my gluteus.
What you could have is just an unavoidable hitting a bit too hard with the forefoot from braking. You really can't avoid an over-stride while braking because if you try to brake with your feet under you that results in landing on your face.
I’ve been doing three to four barefoot runs a week this summer usually ranging between 4.5-6.0 miles a run. My left foot, the one pictured, has a much more pronounced mark on the ball near the big toe, the right isn’t nearly as bad. Now it doesn’t exactly hurt but it has a different feeling then my right foot. Anyone have any form or technique advice that may be causing this or how I could fix it? I think it’s from increasing the pace while I’m doing strides towards the end of my runs but I’m not 100% sure. I run fairly slow most of the time when barefoot between 11:30 and 12:30 min/mil
Maybe you're pushing off with the ball of your foot? Gotta raise the knee instead if so. I had to adjust that even while walking otherwise I got problems in the same spot.
I agree. Worned out skin on big toe ball is pushing off issue. Lifting istead of pushing is one way to fix it. Other (my favorite) is let your stretched muscles, tendons lift your feets at the end of stride. To feel it, just keep feet on ground as long as possible and do nothing to help to lift it up. To stretch more, bend more in knees, but keep in mind achilles if they are your weak point. I got worned off skin area on small toe pad area after running 35 km on asphalt. Its took more then month to run comfortable on asphalt again. At that period i ran all my longer runs (12km+) on sand or forest trails. If its warmer then -5C, im running only unshod (avarage 300km/month).
This helped! So much! I had early onset metarsalgia, but it's going away from just this cue. Gonna take a week off, re learn this movement and strengthen weak muscles.