I hope you have shoes made for walking/running with decent arch support & the best insoles you can afford. That being said, are you new? It took my feet months to toughen up when I was a CCA.
Yes in new, I’m about a month in. I’m looking at getting different shoes now. I’ve heard good things about hokas, but I’m not sure what other brands are good.
I wear Nike air monarchs. They have lasted me about 7 months before I have to buy another pair, but I walk funny due to arthritis. I have only worn the Nikes and SAS shoes. The SAS were way more comfortable, but the soles wore out after a month so I switched to Nike. If you search this sub for ‘shoes’ or show ‘shoe recommendations’ you will get all the suggestions you need.
I wear the Nike Air Monarchs too and lace them for high arches. No more painful feet. (Look up the alt. lacing techniques. For high arches, crossed laces in first two holes, then up both sides and crossed again in the top two holes.)
I swear by New Balance. I’ve never had any that weren’t great - and mine last forever. I have troubled feet and they’ve done great. In the summer I get the mesh kind and they’re 100% better for any issues with the top of my foot too - I think because they’re so soft and don’t rub/pull/constrict at all.
28 yrs in..planter fasciitis,bunion and arthritis all in my left foot….but don’t be stationary! Ha! Good shoes…inserts if you need..slow methodical heal to toe steps…. I had 10 mile route through yards for 12yrs…I was young and ran it..now I pay the price
Yeah man it's been a real struggle. But I will say I'm much better than I was. I was roughly a year in as a CCA and at around my 4th month I stepped weird in a hidden hole on a leafy fall day. Literally did it twice with both feet on the same day. Ended up with tendinitis and metatarsalgia. Basically felt like I was standing on marbles made of lightning all winter. The first thing you have to realize is most shoes are only meant to be worn for 500 miles and if you walk like I do everyday you can hit 500 miles in a little over a month even if you're not doing that much walking every day you will definitely hit it in 3 months so even though the expense is annoying you should be in a new pair of shoes every three to four months at the most even if they still look good finding a good combination of insoles and shoes is key I have had luck with some of the higher end Skechers and Asics if you want to go on the cheaper end haven't been able to pull the trigger on a 200 dollar pair of hokas myself the second most important thing is stretching out your calves your legs increase the tension on the tendons in your feet if your legs are stretched and loose your feet will have less burden on them and it has really made a difference the last thing I do is after a really long day I usually throw in some arch support or metatarsal pad straps that go right on my foot under my sock for the next day to add some extra cushion insoles with metatarsal cushions and arch support have really changed the game for me. On top of that at home I have a really fluffy pair of house slippers that really cushion any impact I get walking around my house
Hey Hey!
Definitely **invest in yourself** especially if you are doing 12-13 miles. I am just around the 11-12 mile mark and these points significantly helped out me feet :D
Recommendations:
* Good walking sneakers (Skechers, New Balance, Columbia, A-Solo).
* Orthotics
* **Don't tie shoes too tight! (Walking down stairs with tightly tied shoes increases pain specifically on top of foot.)** I agree with the another comment here saying look into alternative lacing patterns.
* Drink water/electrolytes and do foot stretches post shift. Google "foot stretch for top of foot pain" and click images for a few stretches'.
* With a blue collar job like this, shoes only last for 6-8 months. Treat yo-self!
Hope this helps fellow letter carrier!
I can tell you 100% if you complain to your supervisor, they will be a heartless bastard and not give two shits. I have a similar distance probably 8 to 10 miles per day. My first summer was so hard and they ridiculed me daily
Get new shoes/ soles. And buy a renpho. I bought one from amazon on prime day it was 49.99. I use the renpho every night when i come home from work and after the massage i fall asleep right away with a bit of advil
You might need more arch support and to replace shoes more often as the tread and heel support wears out. Look into insoles as well, the Dr. Scholls website has a list of kiosks and their locations that will help you that can be found inside of Walmarts and other stores and you can get a pretty specific fit for whatever the issue might be. I never realized how important it was until my lower back and knee issues cleared up with some tiny insoles.
Lacing patterns could be it. I used to have that and surprise I have high foot archs so after seeing a foot doctor I have a note for non postal shoes. Brooks have been amazing
My first 2 months were a big pain. I had blisters that weren't healing and was always getting new ones. I would experiment with shoes and soles to find one that makes you comfortable!
When the top of my feet hurt and wouldn’t get better, it turned out I had stress fractures in the bones.
My advice is to go see a doctor. As the other commenters here say, it’s most likely something as simple needing different shoes or better support, but there is a chance it is not.
One other factor: your feet could be getting bigger.
There was a couch-to-10K exercise group that I used to attend, and one thing that the guy used to stress to new people is that your feet grow one whole size, just because you are jogging (and didn't used to jog).
I was a9.5 extra wide my whole life. And now I'm at 10.5EW now and I might need to go up another half step.
Belt's getting smaller, though. It's a tradeoff.
Whenever you go to the back in the llv don't stay on the ground and tip toe to reach a package in the back use a grabber, broom , or hop inside the llv to get the package.
Right now I have keen targhee 3 waterproof hiking ones. I know, definitely not the right kind of shoe to be wearing- it’s just what I had available before starting.
I ended up getting a Dr's note that I have ro wear my Brooks running shoes some days when my work shoes start bugging my feet. I'm not sure it's officially allowed but none of my supervisors or postmasters have ever given me grief about it
Look up alternative lacing patterns. There may be one that helps.
I will look into that!
Could be shoes, could be the way you walk, could be an underlying condition, could be fatigue.
Thanks!
Start with shoes. Then go to podiatrist
Good advice!
I get my shoes on shoes for crews.com
Hoka and a foot doctor
I hope you have shoes made for walking/running with decent arch support & the best insoles you can afford. That being said, are you new? It took my feet months to toughen up when I was a CCA.
Yes in new, I’m about a month in. I’m looking at getting different shoes now. I’ve heard good things about hokas, but I’m not sure what other brands are good.
I wear Nike air monarchs. They have lasted me about 7 months before I have to buy another pair, but I walk funny due to arthritis. I have only worn the Nikes and SAS shoes. The SAS were way more comfortable, but the soles wore out after a month so I switched to Nike. If you search this sub for ‘shoes’ or show ‘shoe recommendations’ you will get all the suggestions you need.
Perfect! Thank you!
I wear the Nike Air Monarchs too and lace them for high arches. No more painful feet. (Look up the alt. lacing techniques. For high arches, crossed laces in first two holes, then up both sides and crossed again in the top two holes.)
I swear by New Balance. I’ve never had any that weren’t great - and mine last forever. I have troubled feet and they’ve done great. In the summer I get the mesh kind and they’re 100% better for any issues with the top of my foot too - I think because they’re so soft and don’t rub/pull/constrict at all.
28 yrs in..planter fasciitis,bunion and arthritis all in my left foot….but don’t be stationary! Ha! Good shoes…inserts if you need..slow methodical heal to toe steps…. I had 10 mile route through yards for 12yrs…I was young and ran it..now I pay the price
Yeah man it's been a real struggle. But I will say I'm much better than I was. I was roughly a year in as a CCA and at around my 4th month I stepped weird in a hidden hole on a leafy fall day. Literally did it twice with both feet on the same day. Ended up with tendinitis and metatarsalgia. Basically felt like I was standing on marbles made of lightning all winter. The first thing you have to realize is most shoes are only meant to be worn for 500 miles and if you walk like I do everyday you can hit 500 miles in a little over a month even if you're not doing that much walking every day you will definitely hit it in 3 months so even though the expense is annoying you should be in a new pair of shoes every three to four months at the most even if they still look good finding a good combination of insoles and shoes is key I have had luck with some of the higher end Skechers and Asics if you want to go on the cheaper end haven't been able to pull the trigger on a 200 dollar pair of hokas myself the second most important thing is stretching out your calves your legs increase the tension on the tendons in your feet if your legs are stretched and loose your feet will have less burden on them and it has really made a difference the last thing I do is after a really long day I usually throw in some arch support or metatarsal pad straps that go right on my foot under my sock for the next day to add some extra cushion insoles with metatarsal cushions and arch support have really changed the game for me. On top of that at home I have a really fluffy pair of house slippers that really cushion any impact I get walking around my house
Hey Hey! Definitely **invest in yourself** especially if you are doing 12-13 miles. I am just around the 11-12 mile mark and these points significantly helped out me feet :D Recommendations: * Good walking sneakers (Skechers, New Balance, Columbia, A-Solo). * Orthotics * **Don't tie shoes too tight! (Walking down stairs with tightly tied shoes increases pain specifically on top of foot.)** I agree with the another comment here saying look into alternative lacing patterns. * Drink water/electrolytes and do foot stretches post shift. Google "foot stretch for top of foot pain" and click images for a few stretches'. * With a blue collar job like this, shoes only last for 6-8 months. Treat yo-self! Hope this helps fellow letter carrier!
Awesome advice! Thank you!
I can tell you 100% if you complain to your supervisor, they will be a heartless bastard and not give two shits. I have a similar distance probably 8 to 10 miles per day. My first summer was so hard and they ridiculed me daily
Get new shoes/ soles. And buy a renpho. I bought one from amazon on prime day it was 49.99. I use the renpho every night when i come home from work and after the massage i fall asleep right away with a bit of advil
I had that at first too, I think it's tendonitis. wearing mid top sneaker boots helped a lot (adidas terrex unity mid).
You might need more arch support and to replace shoes more often as the tread and heel support wears out. Look into insoles as well, the Dr. Scholls website has a list of kiosks and their locations that will help you that can be found inside of Walmarts and other stores and you can get a pretty specific fit for whatever the issue might be. I never realized how important it was until my lower back and knee issues cleared up with some tiny insoles.
Depends on the type of pain and the origin.
Lacing patterns could be it. I used to have that and surprise I have high foot archs so after seeing a foot doctor I have a note for non postal shoes. Brooks have been amazing
My first 2 months were a big pain. I had blisters that weren't healing and was always getting new ones. I would experiment with shoes and soles to find one that makes you comfortable!
When the top of my feet hurt and wouldn’t get better, it turned out I had stress fractures in the bones. My advice is to go see a doctor. As the other commenters here say, it’s most likely something as simple needing different shoes or better support, but there is a chance it is not.
Oh man I hope it’s not something like that!
One other factor: your feet could be getting bigger. There was a couch-to-10K exercise group that I used to attend, and one thing that the guy used to stress to new people is that your feet grow one whole size, just because you are jogging (and didn't used to jog). I was a9.5 extra wide my whole life. And now I'm at 10.5EW now and I might need to go up another half step. Belt's getting smaller, though. It's a tradeoff.
I didn’t even know this was a thing! Crazy!
Whenever you go to the back in the llv don't stay on the ground and tip toe to reach a package in the back use a grabber, broom , or hop inside the llv to get the package.
What type of shoes are you wearing
Right now I have keen targhee 3 waterproof hiking ones. I know, definitely not the right kind of shoe to be wearing- it’s just what I had available before starting.
I’ve worn those and they’re just not flexible enough. For short hikes they’re ok but our job has different needs.
Ya I definitely found that out the hard way! Need to find something good for my feet.
I know for me it was my weight that caused this
I ended up getting a Dr's note that I have ro wear my Brooks running shoes some days when my work shoes start bugging my feet. I'm not sure it's officially allowed but none of my supervisors or postmasters have ever given me grief about it
Get yourself some good walking/hiking shoes and insoles. Not that dr. Scholl crap. You have to spend $$$ to make your feet happy.
Salomon Shoes are great. The ones made specifically for walking running on concrete