17 replies to this topic

[Imsortanew]

When I'm lifting my foot up midstride, the inside of my foot more often than not comes into contact with my inner calf. I guess i could change my stride with some concentration but... Does anyone else have this problem? It makes my legs all dirty and scratched. None of my friend ha e this problem. Huh.

[cjr]

I used to do this a lot, although mainly on the ankles - would aften end up raw with shredded socks.

When I started to pay some attention to my running form to get over some knee issues, I stopped doing this. It required concentration at first but soon became natural

[Imsortanew]

Yeah my form is probably the root. I am still in high school and haven't really paid much attention to it. Ive noticed my dad and older brothers doing the same thing and I know we all pronate a lot; if that has anything to do with it.

[DoggieDoctor]

A good sports physio might be able to advise you. I had similar to cjr and found it was actually weak hip muscles at fault. Particularly as you are young, seek advice early to prevent future probs like ITB for example.There are some good physios on this site that may be able offer sugestions.

DD

[nite_time_runner]

Imsortanew, on 28 March 2011 - 10:08 AM, said:

When I'm lifting my foot up midstride, the inside of my foot more often than not comes into contact with my inner calf. I guess i could change my stride with some concentration but... Does anyone else have this problem? It makes my legs all dirty and scratched. None of my friend ha e this problem. Huh.

I have a similar issue - my ankles tend to get cut and socks get holes in them. I never ever notice it whilst running - only when I get back and show my wife how silly it looks. I can't say i have worried about it too much, but i have started to wear socks which cover my ankles now  

[Tony123]

DoggieDoctor, on 28 March 2011 - 11:21 AM, said:

A good sports physio might be able to advise you. I had similar to cjr and found it was actually weak hip muscles at fault. Particularly as you are young, seek advice early to prevent future probs like ITB for example.There are some good physios on this site that may be able offer sugestions.

DD

DD, Did you do any strengthening exercises to strengthen your weak hip muscles?  Or, can someone else offer advice on how to strengthen the hip muscles.

[crouton]

I have the same problem, although on one side only. It might be due to unusually wide soles on your shoes (eg some Brooks styles) and a narrower sole will not touch your leg.
I get it sporadically but it has almost disappeared since I changed to minimalist shoes. I wonder if the associated change towards mid and forefoot strike has produced an improved gait.

[B+]

i do this as well mainly right foot hitting mid calf on left leg. It mostly happens on slower runs or when I am particularly fatigued. I suspect as your running form and concentration are not at their best level your gait becomes looser and legs move around a lot more.

Train safe

[BOD]

Tony123, on 29 March 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

DD, Did you do any strengthening exercises to strengthen your weak hip muscles?  Or, can someone else offer advice on how to strengthen the hip muscles.

Tony,

I find the exercises mentioned in this Running Times article to be useful.

Although the headline focuses on pronation, the same exercises have been recommended for other leg ailments possibly caused by weak hip flexors.

Good luck.

[Tony123]

BOD, on 01 April 2011 - 06:39 AM, said:

Tony,

I find the exercises mentioned in this Running Times article to be useful.

Although the headline focuses on pronation, the same exercises have been recommended for other leg ailments possibly caused by weak hip flexors.

Good luck.

Cheers, thanks BOD

[Imsortanew]

Thanks for all the tips guys! Admittedly, I have not paid much attention to form, strengthening, shoes, technique-any of that. I'm just a simple runner:) but I guess I'll start paying more attention...thx!

[Slunnie]

Not pigeon toed?

[Peterhorse]

Tony123, on 29 March 2011 - 08:35 AM, said:

DD, Did you do any strengthening exercises to strengthen your weak hip muscles?  Or, can someone else offer advice on how to strengthen the hip muscles.

You're probably sorted with this, but when physio identified this as an issue for me, he gave me the following (amongst others but this was good and easy to do)...

lying on your side, right on the edge of your bed (or couch), parallel, tabilise with the arm outstretched etc... then raise the top leg, pointing toe down towards the ground, and then do a slow circular motion with leg heading out over the edge and right down below the height of the bed and the plane of your body, then up agin to starting postion... you could do them as straight leg raises up and down but the circular motion takes the weight of your leg way out further and more pressure on the hip flexors

hope that makes sense

[Imsortanew]

Hey thanks, I'll give that a shot. Don't think I'm pigeon toed haha but my brothers and I all pronate a lot (Thas when u bend your foot in and down...right?) I'm not that consistent either, sometimes I run in regular sneaks, sometimes my running shoes, sometimes barefoot...well see. Thanks!

[Chickenlegs69]

My wife says that if you where a horse, you would have to wear boots with weights on the outside. It must keep the legs from swinging inwards too much. Might be a bit weird for human though.    

[haggis basher]

HI all
I have found that used to happen to be occasionally, until i practiced pointing my knees straight ahead. It  normally  seems to happen when runners get fatigued and loose form!
Hope this might help.
See Ya

[miners]

B+, on 01 April 2011 - 05:32 AM, said:

i do this as well mainly right foot hitting mid calf on left leg. It mostly happens on slower runs or when I am particularly fatigued. I suspect as your running form and concentration are not at their best level your gait becomes looser and legs move around a lot more.

Train safe

Exactly the same for me - same spot on the left calf, and only when pretty fatigued.

I find C2S is the worst course for this.  You expend the bulk of your energy for the first 8km, then spend the next 4km trying to run as fast as possible downhill pin-wheeling with shot legs.

While Peterhorse's idea has merit, that looks like too much work for me.  Long socks are my answer

[PiledHigherq]

Imsortanew, on 28 March 2011 - 10:08 AM, said:

When I'm lifting my foot up midstride, the inside of my foot more often than not comes into contact with my inner calf. I guess i could change my stride with some concentration but... Does anyone else have this problem? It makes my legs all dirty and scratched. None of my friend ha e this problem. Huh.

Yes, occasionally happens to me, never notice at the time til there are dirty marks on inside of calves. Never scratches, just dirty. Loathed to change my stride pattern as I am rarely injured.