Hi, I'm a recently converted competitive beach volleyball player to trail running newbie who recently completed two trail 50k races this fall. Shortly afterwards, I had pain across the top of my foot and went to a sports medicine clinic to have it looked at. When asked what kind of running shoes I own, I answered "Brooks." The sports medicine specialist then stated that "Brooks Brothers does make nice clothes, but you have to be sure you have the right footwear also." This didn't inspire confidence in me. Then, he told me that running is bad for me and instructed me to take six weeks off (which isn't going to happen!) and to consider taking up something other than running "for exercise."

Fast forward two months. Foot pain is gone, but I think I'm having IT Band Friction pain (my self-diagnosis, go figure?!) that shuts me down at about 15 miles into my longer runs. I want to confirm that it's IT Band-related and nothing seriously jacked up like a torn tendon, but I don't want to have another "Brooks Brothers" experience...

Can anybody recommend a real honest-to-goodness doctor or sports medicine expert in the Hudson Valley NY region that really KNOWS distance running? Sorry if this is inappropriate for this forum - I just don't know where to look to find this information...

Please help!

Signed,
Desperately frustrated

I laughed out loud when I read that 'Brooks Brothers' comment. Wow. Maybe the foot pain was a stress fracture?
It sucks that you have another problem to contend with. I do not know of anyone to recommend though. Maybe contact running stores in the area? I went to a really good Active Release Technique (ART) guy in NYC for a persistent sprained ankle. Maybe look for a practitioner in your area - Active Release Technique

that brooks brothers thing has to be a joke, right?

David Ness is an ART specialist in New Paltz. He is a chiropractor, and has tons of experience with sports medicine and athletic injuries. He helped me quite a bit with my ITB issue. I'd recommend him if you're in the area. http://www.drness.com

ART is a great therapy - good to hear there is one in New Paltz.

Thanks jayruns and The Lisa! I'll give it a shot. I've been very active with stretching it and strengthening exercises, and this seems to help. New pairs of road and trail shoes are helping a bit too, I think. Did three hours last week with some pain near the end of the run (due to descending Bear Mt), and tried three hours today with no pain. So, cautiously moving forward. Will look into the ART option and the New Paltz referral - Only about 30 minutes from me. And unfortunately, no, the Brooks Brothers comment was all too real.

Happy Trails in 2009!

Good to hear you are feeling better, Bernie. When I start to get pains in areas that do not usually hurt, I suspect my shoes too. The road shoes are always the ones at fault - roadrunning is a necessary evil for me during the week.

bernie,

shameless plug, but if you're in New Paltz and need help with your shoes come by our store--if you're having a foot-strike/mechanical issue that your shoes are not helping with, we may be able to help you out.

http://www.shawangunkrunningcompany.com

--jay