I had Morton's Neuroma many years ago after riding
Tevis in a pair of boots that were not suitable for such effort plus a pair of
English irons. Eventually I had the neuroma excised and three years later,
after the nerves quieted, I had no more pain.
That said, I would recommend you try EZ Ride stirrups,
especially the newer models that have a different kind of padding than the
originals. They are wide and well padded and go a long way toward
alleviating foot pain.
I also found out, for my own feet, that the Ariat
Performers work well with their very firm sole. I have some Terrains, and
the wide toe boxing is great, but they come in only one width, and by the time
they stretch a bit, they are far too wide for my feet, even with thick wool
socks.
I would suggest that the proper stirrups will help you
a lot. English irons were deadly to my feet.
OK - I have to do something! I've done a few 50 milers and
everything has gone PERFECT - except for my foot pain.
Here's some background: I have a normal foot with medium
arches. My forefoot is not narrow, but not considered wide (for you
runners out there, I run my marathons in a pair of Saucony Triumphs and I love
them, so that is the shape of my foot.). I was diagnosed with Mortons
Neroma in on my of feet a couple years ago, but it hasn't bothered me much
since.
Here are combinations I have tried and the result. Does anyone have
any ideas?
Terminology:
Ariate boots - zip up paddock boots that are ankle height
CW stirrups - a wide, wooden stirrip with leather hoods
Riding boots - leather sole shoe with a square (roomy) toe box
tennis shoe - Saucony Trimph (had about 400 running miles on it, so it
was "retired")
What I have tried:
Ariat boots+fillis irons = arch pain
tennis shoes+civil war stirrups = arch pain
riding boots+civil war stirrups OR EZ ride stirrups = numb feet
So I think the issue is if I wear shoes that are too flexible it inflames
my arches, and if my stirrups are too wide, my feet go to sleep.
I'm thinking maybe geting a pair of inserts for my boots and keeping an
eye out for a boot that might work better (not seeming to have much luck with
ariats). Maybe I'll try the easy ride stirrups again, this time with
inserts in the boots to try and take even more pressure off....
So - somehow I need to find the right combination of boots, maybe
inserts?, and stirrups! why does everything have to be so
complicated! I want to know...what combinations of
shoe/insert/stirrup/other do people use here? Can anyone reccomend
a shoe that I can ride it, but is also comfortable to jog in? Would
a trailrunning shoe have a stiffer sole and give more support? Any one
have any luck with shoe inserts?
