Can inserts cure soreness under balls of feet ?

Lunar Tick

I did a very hilly 55-miler yesterday in the North Pennines; all was well until the last 10 miles, which included a long climb out of the saddle over a high pass (over 2000ft) when I began to feel a lot of pain/numbness under the balls of my feet. The pain lasted the rest of the ride and today, they're still tender.

I've recently returned to cycling and have racked up over 500 miles in the past 6 weeks with rides up to 45 miles with no problems. I bought a good pair of Shimano shoes (model number escapes me now) which have always felt quite comfy. However, I'm planning a 100-mile sportive in early September so am concerned to get this sorted.

I'm wondering therefore if something like a gel insert or Specialised's BG shoe inserts would help to take pressure off the metatarsal area. And thoughts or recommendations?
Thanks, Andrew

sicknote

Hi
I am starting to get the same thing and have shimano MO75 shoes now as the wiggle ones or got where too small but they did have a much stiffer sole on them, which I think might be your problem.

I just have to try and get a better size of these pass the other half.

That is if you are using spd's

kingrollo

I used the metarslyl gel pads - only about £6 - they certainly help - but its no cure.

Get yourself down to superdrug - and get some peppermint foot cream - not vey macho - but the best £3 you will spend.

Lunar Tick

Sicknote wrote:

Hi
I am starting to get the same thing and have shimano MO75 shoes now as the wiggle ones or got where too small but they did have a much stiffer sole on them, which I think might be your problem.

I just have to try and get a better size of these pass the other half.

That is if you are using spd's

They look very tasty but unfortunately II'm using Look Keos

Lunar Tick

kingrollo wrote:

I used the metarslyl gel pads - only about £6 - they certainly help - but its no cure.

Get yourself down to superdrug - and get some peppermint foot cream - not vey macho - but the best £3 you will spend.

Where can I get these pads? I'm sure even a little bit of protection would help as I've had no problems with rides of 40+ miles already

crankycrank

Pain in the balls of your feet can be from a number of reasons but I've seen a few people have problems due to the fact that their shoes are too narrow. If your feet feel snug to cramped in that section of your shoes try some roomier ones.

kingrollo

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/METATARSAL-GEL-CU ... dZViewItem

sicknote

Lunar Tick wrote:

Sicknote wrote:

Hi
I am starting to get the same thing and have shimano MO75 shoes now as the wiggle ones or got where too small but they did have a much stiffer sole on them, which I think might be your problem.

I just have to try and get a better size of these pass the other half.

That is if you are using spd's

They look very tasty but unfortunately II'm using Look Keos

They do Road versions too

Lunar Tick

Thanks for the suggestions guys - plenty of food for thought. I'll try experimenting with strap tightness and some gel inserts and take it from there