The last few times I have gone running, about a mile or two, the ball of my feet start hurting. The pain starts gradually and becomes very painful. The pain is horizontally across my balls. It starts out feeling somewhat numbing to a straight-line pain. It feels like standing on hot pavement or pins and needles.

I have tried two new pairs of shoes, high quality and proper fitting, with SOF Soles. I loosely tie my shoes. Lately, I am running more than the past. Each run is around four miles.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

belaywell@comcast.net

My suggestion to you is to stop running and make an appointment with a podiatrist. It is very possible that you have a stress fracture to the metatarsal. This is a common occurence in runners especially since you stated that your miles have increased. I would not continue to run until the doctor has cleared you.

Foot.com staff member