So that's what I did.
But then in the last year since I've gotten into marathons, I've occasionally started having some little aches in my left foot, in the arch area. It's been nothing serious enough to alter my running, but I started to wonder if I had the beginnings of plantar fasciitis or a stress fracture or something minor.
About a month ago, I mentioned this odd feeling to someone in passing and she suggested tying my shoes loosely-- in fact, so loosely that I can just slip my shoe off and on.
And it worked!
I've had no more foot discomfort.
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| slipped on my shoes for my twilight run with my nerdy neon vest |
Do you tie your shoes tightly or loosely?
I rarely untie my shoes! They are snug enough not to fall off but loose enough to be able to slip off and on. When I used to tie them too tight, I would get foot pain too.
ReplyDeleteI've never even heard of that! Interesting... have you had any problems with the shoes rubbing your heels and creating blisters?
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that it worked for you! My shoes were tied loosely for the tri because of the 'stretchy' laces, and I was surprised that it felt good to run that way!
ReplyDeleteInteresting...I will have to try this!
ReplyDeleteI noticed some discomfort which I knew came from tying my shoes too tight lately so I loosened them a little. I had no idea they could be quite so loose without bothering you but I'm going to give this technique a definite try on my next run! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI do the same. If I actually tie them, I get cramps in my arches so my heel should slip. That's how I know I'm all sey
ReplyDeleteI got really bad tendinitis across the top of my right food during training for my first marathon and started tying my shoes a lot looser {rather than just stop running like I should have}. My shoes have been slip on loose since then. It was weird at first but now its just normal.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm out on the trails I do tie up my shoes a bit tighter, but they are still looser than my shoes used to be when I had issues.
I thought surely this was going to be a Speed Laces post from the title! I battled plantar fasciitis last year while training for my first (and probably only) marathon. I've been experiencing some possible flare-ups lately; maybe I'll change the way I'm tying my shoes-- by not tying them! :) Thanks for this post, it's always nice to see new suggestions to help keep running pain free!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I saw this! I thought it was going to be some kind of ad as well. But no. Win! I've had foot problems too - definitely something I'm going to try now.
ReplyDeleteDo they feel comfortable when you run?
I tie mine so tight I have little nodules on the tops of my feet. But since I do a lot of my running on a track, I have to have them tight when I turn corners like I'm on rails ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow, I SO needed this post. I've been having the exact same aches/pains in my left food as you've described. I've never tied my shoes super tight, but I will try tying them much, much looser for a while to see if it helps. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting! I'm glad it works and you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteSuper nerdy vest! But better to be safe :)
ReplyDeleteI used to tie tight also and had foot pain sometimes. I'm looser now but not as loose to just slip on.
I keep mine super loose too. I hate them tight, it makes the top of my foot hurt. Great headband
ReplyDeleteThat's crazy. I love to have my shoes super tight. But sometimes they hurt a little bit too. I have to adjust with different pairs of shoes. My last pair cut into my foot in a different place, and it felt like i was cutting off circulation!
ReplyDeleteAfter one, 3-mile test run in my new shoes, back in March, I stopped back by the local running store I'd bought them from. I told the girl about the discomfort I was having in the middle of my foot, mainly near the laces.
ReplyDeleteShe paused a polite beat and asked "have you tried loosening the laces?". I felt like a complete dork for not thinking of that, but played it cool.
After discreetly loosening the laces, they felt better than any other shoes I've ever worn. I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one who didn't know about this magic trick. lol.