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Leota P.
Leota P. Sendmail

Tendon pain

posted about 2 years ago | Report

Hi fellow minimalists!

I've been training in my Vibram KSOs since January and ran a half marathon in them in April. I am no longer able to run in shoes at all. For about two months during my runs (road and treadmill) I get a strain in my right leg right above my inner ankle. I looked up a foot diagram and it's probably the Peroneus Longus tendon or the Peroneus Brevis tendon.

I am a very conscientious stretcher before and after my runs. When it starts to tighten up (usually at about mile 2.5-3) I stop and stretch. I ice after runs as well but it's very stiff for two days after.

Any ideas on what I may be doing to cause this? I mostly run on pavement and I'm pretty slow. When I ran in shoes I was a heel-striker but I don't do that in my Vibrams. I am trying to be a Chi runner and take short strides with a forward lean but I don't have a very high back kick.

I'm worried because I'm training for a Ragnar race and run legs 3, 15 and 27 and I'm really afraid that it will tighten up while I'm not running.

Any thoughts will be appreciated!

-Leota Rio

PS - Please no suggestions to see a doctor. They generally don't understand minimalist running and I don't want a prescription for muscle relaxants. I just want to fix whatever I'm doing wrong. LRP

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5 posts

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  • Jane D.
    Jane D. Sendmail

    Hello-first it's likely not your peroneal muscles-those are on the outside of your foot, not the inside. Just based on the photo you have posted it looks like you may have a weak sub-talor joint and the muscles strained are likely the anterior and posterior tibialis. This is a fairly common occurence and will likely only be eliminated by functional strength training of the foot and lower leg. You likely transitioned into your non-shoes too quickly. What is your running background? Pace?

    posted about 2 years ago | Report

  • Leota P.
    Leota P. Sendmail
    in reply to what Jane D. said:Hello-first it's likely not your peroneal muscles-those are on the outside of your foot, not the inside. Just based on the photo you have posted it looks like you may have a weak sub-talor joint and the muscles strained are likely the anterior and... read more

    Thanks Jane - Been running for two years, done seven half-marathons, and my pace is about 12 minute miles. Had to give up on shoes after two lower tibial stress fractures caused by heal striking. Started my Vibram training in January, all on a treadmill. Started slowly 1 - 2 miles at first (oh, and I had walked barefooted/in Vibrams a lot since I purchased them in the fall of 2009) and moved my mileage up to the 13 by my late-April half marathon.

    Thanks for the clarification regarding inner v. outer foot. I couldn't tell from the diagram.

    What is considered "functional strength" training? I assume it's more than a good stretching regimen. Weight lifting? Do you have any specific machines I should use?

    Thank you very much for your response. If nothing else I am a good student (in RL I'm a teacher!).

    posted about 2 years ago | Report

  • Jane D.
    Jane D. Sendmail

    Yes, stretching and strength training are kind of opposites :) Functional strength training is training to enhance the coordinated working relationship between the nervous and muscular systems. It usually will incorporate a component of balance and core strengthening, so lifting weights won't help much. Plyometric exercises are necessary, so high knee skipping, grapevines, side stepping, buttkicks and lunges are all forms of exercise to help the muscles of the lowerleg/foot. I would still contend that you moved into long distance training too quickly in the Vibrams without doing the proper strengthening. Also consider a training program that will help you get a little faster. When you run faster, you lessen the time you have for pronation to occur, and it is the pronation that is straining the soft tissues, since it's likely not strong enough at this point to to keep the foot in proper alignment.
    Hope this helps!

    posted about 2 years ago | Report

  • Leota P.
    Leota P. Sendmail
    in reply to what Jane D. said:Yes, stretching and strength training are kind of opposites :) Functional strength training is training to enhance the coordinated working relationship between the nervous and muscular systems. It usually will incorporate a component of balance an... read more

    It helped very much. I will add those plyometric exercises into my training. THANKS!

    posted about 2 years ago | Report

  • Maren D.
    Maren D. Sendmail

    Jane did a wonderful job of helping already, so I won't pretend to have a better answer. Especially since I'm new to my Vibrams. Just wanted to wish you good luck in the Ragnar Relay! I ran it last year (Great River Run) and it was certainly a one-of-a-kind experience. Make sure you are properly fueled and try to get as much sleep as you can ;)

    Take care,

    Maren

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

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