My Feet Are KILLING Me !!!

[kualii18]

alright so i have been swimming in our local pool for about a month now almost everday with my waterway model 1: competitor . and within the last few days my feet have been absolutely killing me !! i have no idea if its my technique or if im just going to often or what it is ... i love my mono and wouldnt trade it for the world but swimming through the pain makes it alot less enjoyable .. has anyone experienced this ? Oh yeah its not the foot pockets either they are not to tight or to loose. I dont swim with boots either... any help would be awesome !!!

 

[commonerg]

I think just about all new finswimmers suffer from this problem. The arch of your foot is not an area that gets much fitness attention. For me especially, that muscle bundle on the inside of each foot near the heal (Abductor Hallucis I think) would cramp up quite a bit. As you continue to work with the fin you will slowly build up to longer sets without pain.

For now, a thin boot may help delay the cramps and soreness. Periodical stretch breaks will help your feet rest and adapt better to their new marine roles. I remember someone posting a simple exercise to strengthen the arch. I can't find the post but from what I remember:

Put a towel on a slick surface- tile, hardwood floor, etc. Put your foot on the towel. Gripping with your toes, scrunch the towel back to the ball of your foot- arching the feet and bringing the toes back. Relax the foot and repeat. I guess this can be done without the towel... I'm not sure how much it helps.

Here are some threads to check out:

How to stretch the arch:
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showpost.php?p=541868&postcount=4"]DeeperBlue Forums - View Single Post - monofins and cramps[/ame]

More on fin pocket foot pain:
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=26640"]monofin footpocket sizing[/ame]


Hope this helps,
Good Luck!