Runners, help. Pain up foot...

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I'm not really sure how to describe the area that hurts, so here it is circled in red. (The most intense spots are circled again in pink):

http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/w...problem003.jpg

...It extends from the joint of my big toe [I guess you could say] up the top of my foot, near the side.

I've had pain there since Monday (4/13). I though it was just soreness from wearing heels on the day before (for Easter Sunday), so I just stretched it more often this week. I also did more walking than running this week.

It hurts to lift up my big toe, and I have pain when I put on or take off shoes. The whole area circled in red hurts when there is pressure on that foot. I also feel like it's swelled compared to my other foot (not so much by the big toe--more up on my foot), and when I press it there it feels harder in comparison to on my other foot.

I still have been running (I usually only run 3-4.5 miles at a time, and not every single day). I would had rested it more, but my first 5K ever was yesterday! It doesn't hurt tremendously while I run, but there is certainly pain in general.

I am not doing anything real new with my running routines, except a very gradual increase in weekly mileage and speed over the past few weeks...I am also wearing good sneakers (Asics GT2140) that I only bought last month, after many successful months with GT2130.

Is this somewhat normal? Any idea of the cause? Is there a way I can just self-treat it? Will it probably get worse if I ignore it?

Thank you for any insight and advice...

[braindx]

Sounds/looks like overuse. The spots you indicate are on the joint lines of the metatarsals/medial cuneiform/navicular.

The fact that you have been doing a lot of running probably just exacerbated the situation.

You said there was swelling... ice. Now that you've finished your 5k you should rest to see if it improves. If it does then you have your answer.

Rest, ice, massage (to help promote blood flow for healing).

I don't know how your running technique is... or if you have any prior potential injuries that may have contributed (such as flat feet).... so I can't comment on anything like that.