Why Does My Foot Hurt During Marathon Training?

It’s early September, and for runners training for a fall marathon, this is a critical time. You’re in the heart of peak mileage weeks, pushing your body to its limits. But with that increased intensity comes the risk of overuse injuries, the nagging aches and sharp pains that can threaten to sideline you just as the finish line is in sight.

Ignoring these warning signs is a runner’s biggest mistake. But don’t worry! In this guide, Batavia Foot Care Center will help you understand the most common injuries…and introduce a powerful, non-invasive solution to help you heal faster and stay on track!

The Runner’s High-Risk Zones: Common Overuse Injuries

When you’re logging double-digit miles week after week, certain parts of your foot are under immense, repetitive stress. This is where overuse injuries typically appear.

  • Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis): This is the classic runner’s complain: a sharp, stabbing pain in the bottom of the heel, especially with the morning’s first steps.
  • Achilles Tendonitis: A persistent, aching pain at the back of the heel and up the lower calf is often a sign of an inflamed Achilles tendon.
    • This powerful tendon can easily become overloaded with a rapid increase in mileage or intensity.
  • Shin Splints: This refers to the frustrating pain that runs along the shin bone.
    • For runners, it’s often a sign of underlying biomechanical issues, like flat feet, that are being aggravated by the increased training load.
  • Stress Fractures: “Pushing through the pain” can lead to a more serious injury.
    •  A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone that develops from repetitive force. It requires immediate attention to prevent a more severe break.

The Problem with “Just Resting”

For a runner on a strict training schedule, taking weeks off to “just rest” isn’t a viable option.

  • For chronic conditions like tendonitis, rest alone may not be enough.
  • When an injury becomes chronic, the tissue can fill with restrictive scar tissue, and the body’s natural healing process can stall.
  • When you resume training, the problem is likely to return.

The Modern Solution for Runners: Shockwave Therapy

For these stubborn overuse injuries, Shockwave Therapyis a game-changing, non-invasive treatment that can accelerate healing without significant downtime.

  • Shockwave therapy uses acoustic pressure waves to target the damaged, inflamed tissue deep within your foot.
  • These waves create a micro-trauma that stimulates blood flow, breaks down restrictive scar tissue, and jumpstarts your body’s natural repair processes.

The key benefits for a marathon runner are clear:

  • It’s Non-Invasive: There are no needles and no surgery.
  • There’s No Downtime: The treatment consists of a series of quick, in-office sessions, and you can continue with your daily activities immediately.
  • It Addresses the Root Cause: Instead of just masking the pain, shockwave therapy promotes true tissue regeneration, helping to heal the injury at its source.

Train Hard and Recover Right!

Don’t let a preventable overuse injury compromise your marathon goals. Nagging pain during your peak training weeks is a signal from your body that you need to listen to, and we can help. Schedule your appointment, then get ready to run further and faster than ever!

You can always count on Batavia Foot Care Center to care for your feet using a full range of therapies and treatment options. Dr. Dawn K. Dryden serves patients of all ages in Batavia, New York. Contact our office to schedule an appointment!