Plantar - 3 weeks before marathon

Feel for the knot, between the ball and the heal, in the middle of foot,the arch. Knot will be either on the inside or outside of middle of the foot. Knead the knot until it is gone, then with middle and index finger,slowly,not aggressively, get into the muscle. As area begins to loosen up, get more aggressive. This can hurt at first, but starts feeling better as you work out the knotted problem. This has worked for me every time I feel plantar coming on. I go to the treadmill after and continue to massage until it feels good again. I can run on foot same day I massage problem. Little tender at first, but goes away. Hope this works for you.

Thanks for the advice. I will give this a go.

Massage may help but didn't work for me try heel drops on stairs as well

Too soon for cortisone shot that's a last resort

Don't run the marathon if its still bothering you

I got through a marathon last year but it wasn't pretty. The pain dulled after the first half mile or so, so it wasn't really an issue, but my stride pattern was altered. I was compensating on the other side, so by the time I got to mile 18 or so, my body was a mess. Hamstring and calf issues on one leg, and quad and hip issues on the other due to the imbalance. I was messed up for a few weeks after, but no lasting issues. PF cleared out eventually. Mostly stretching (calf and Achilles and sole of foot) and rest

Good luck

First time my daughter developed plantar, doctor had her stop all running for two weeks and then slowly ease back into running. 2nd time her plantar problem returned is when I was able to massage out problem and she was running next day. Massaged her foot for two more days and she was pain free. First massage is where you really get deep into tissue and it does hurt.

With my daughter we noticed she had worn shoes with no arch support the day before foot started to hurt. Now we make sure all her shoes have good support, not always easy to do. She felt problem coming on at beginning of XC. I easily found the knot and massaged it out and she was running next day with no problems. However, I think we fixed it before it got bad.

First time I developed plantar, same thing, two to three weeks no running. Second time it started with feet becoming very sore after running. I went straight to the treadmill and was able to keep running, about two more weeks. I got about 5 min into my run and then pain was too much to continue. Massaged my own foot and was back running the next day. Foot was definitely sore at the start, but it loosened up and I was able to continue running pain free after that day. I massaged foot thoroughly for the next week. Now I know what to look for ( how it starts) and I massage right away.

I know how painful plantar is and it gets to where there is no way you can continue to run on it. This worked for me and my daughter. Hope you get better.

ukathleticscoach, was curious, have you had plantar problems yourself? Or runners you train? I know you said massage didn't work for you. Good advice you gave OP.

I have coached runners who have gotten almost immediate relief using the inserts linked below. Some had no pain at all when wearing them, some just reduced. I wear them as a preventative in every pair of shoes that I own including running. The best thing about them is that they are ultra light and you almost don't notice that you have anything in your shoe at all. It may be worth a try at this point. You can also find them in running stores for around $40 if getting them immediately is worth double the price for you.

Good luck. Damn rough injury.

http://www.amazon.com/Powerstep-Length-SlimTech-Support-Insole/dp/B005BRI8MY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412958675&sr=8-1&keywords=powerstep+insoles+3+4+length

Advice from one of the top acupuncturists in the country

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie5PJEKEXlQ

Thanks all. I see the podiatrist today so at least I can find out the extent of the injury. I will look into the inserts, as that is an easy thing to try. Once I find out how bad the damage is after my dr visit, I can figure out what I can get away with. Using the resting splint is working very well....immediate improvement after using it. I will ask about massage too, right now it is excruciating pain to touch.

golf ball...

golf ball...

golf ball...

golf ball...

golf ball...

golf ball...

Seriously, if he recommends spending $400 on inserts on your first visit I'd walk away, as he's in it for the money. Inserts are over-prescribed.

A chiropractor who practices ART or a massage therapist who regularly treats runners are better options in my opinion.

Bag the marathon. Even if you get to the point of being pain free by the time the marathon comes around, your chances of reinjuring it during the race are going to be very, very high. You have the choice right now between skipping the race and getting the injury 100% behind you and running the race and spending months trying to recover from the aggravation to the injury during the race. PF is just one of those chronic things that you do not want to mess with. It just isn't worth it. I know too many people who have limped along with PF holding them back for months and even years. Fix it now and gradually work your way back to training for another marathon in the Spring.

Precious Roy wrote:

Bag the marathon. Even if you get to the point of being pain free by the time the marathon comes around, your chances of reinjuring it during the race are going to be very, very high. You have the choice right now between skipping the race and getting the injury 100% behind you and running the race and spending months trying to recover from the aggravation to the injury during the race. PF is just one of those chronic things that you do not want to mess with. It just isn't worth it. I know too many people who have limped along with PF holding them back for months and even years. Fix it now and gradually work your way back to training for another marathon in the Spring.

This. The odds of finishing the marathon with a good time are pretty much nil anyway.

I did one with PF on both sides. Last 10 miles were especially tough. I had tried golf ball, ice, ART, and all that stuff leading up to it. Cutting mileage after race didnt help but over the counter orthotics took care of it for me within a couple weeks. Best $35 I've ever spent.

I may have lucked out - just came back from podiatrist and it is not plantar. Everything else looks good with the foot, he thinks it is bursitis and that it will clear up with a cortisone shot. I'm hopeful that will do it. I'll know in a few days...so far the foot feels A LOT better after the shot.