foot problems

Question

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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
hi. i am 14, and run 3 times per day. i am training very hard, and i have problems with my foot. i have had my feet x-rayed, and they are both regular. here's how it goes. i start my running, and after awhile i feel a sharp pain going down the left side of my left foot, or right side of my right foot. here is a picture showing where the pain is. http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f385/chaplincat/untitledcvghgh.jpg

and after i'm through running, it hurts extremely bad to walk. if i wait a few days it will heal up and i can run a couple of days without it happening again, but it never stops for a long period of time. it will last up to 2 weeks, and even when i'm running every day, it will eventually go away. but it keeps coming back. is it something i am just going to have to deal with? please tell me if you need more information. thanks.

-----Answer-----
Jared,

First of all, why are you running three times a day?? No one needs to train 3 times a day, and for a person your age it is insane. Secondly, whenever you experience sharp pains you should not run. The reason nothing comes on xrays is that you probably damaged a nerve by this crazy training program. Continuing to take a few days off and come back again only prolongs the problem. You should take 2 weeks off, anti-inflammatories, ice, and then slowly come back. Someone your age should not even be running twice a day. I lived and trained with Olympic Gold Medalists, World Record Holders, and World Champions, and none trained 3 times a day. If you are training for cross-country and high school track, I will help you.

Ryan

okay, okay. so i want to accelerate my training to get better.... 3 times a day. the problem is, that i cannot stop running for two weeks. two days is probly too much. i am getting beter at a frightening pace, and by next year i plan to go to state in cross country and track. if i lay off, i am only letting the runners with natural talent pass me up. i did seek your advice a couple of months ago about a training plan for the 5k, and it's great! thanks alot. my 5k record is now 19:39, and i expect to next year get under 15 minutes. i run different things during the day. one workout may be a huge set of sprints for 40 minutes, one could be a good paced 6 mile, i do quarter repititions... but i'm getting off topic. so is there anything i can do besides totally resting for two weeks? if not, could i do something that can improve my running, and train without doing hardcore running? swimming, biking, a treadmill maybe? thanks alot for your help.

Answer
Jared,

I hate to bust your bubble but the worst thing you can do is run 3 times a day. YOu will get better at the same frightening pace by training smart and consistent. Trust me I know. In high school I really didn't have a coach and did just about everything I could. I have run extremely fast and then times I did, I was running twice a day, quality, workouts with appropriate rests. Also, the chance you have to go from 19:39 to under 15, even 16 minutes in a year are extremely slim, and you'll be more likely to get seriously injured first.

That being said, you should take two weeks off, swim, or water run, lift light weight reps, and recover. YOu really need to trust me on the training thing, and if you want me to coach you full time for the outdoor track season I would be more than happy to....but you need to listen. You are a freshman right? If I coach you, you will have a greta high school career, most likely get a scholarship, and enjoy running as a part of life. The decision is yours.

Ryan