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==Causes==
There are a number of possible causes of sore feet.
* '''Low [[Cadence]]''' If your [[Cadence]] is low, you will spend longer in the air, which requires more vertical movement and greater landing forces. Low [[Cadence]] will result in added stress to the body, which can result in sore feet as well as knee and hip problems. Correct [[Cadence]] is critical for running.
* '''Too much shoe''' Studies have shown that counter intuitively, the more padded your shoes, the higher the landing impact. More expensive shoes with more padding are therefore likely to increase the risk of sore feet rather than help. See [[Are your running shoes injuring you]] for more details.
* '''Too little shoe''' At the other end of the spectrum, running with minimal shoes can also result in sore feet. This is not due to impact, but rather caused by stepping on uneven surface. If you imagine stepping on a stone in bare feet, you can see how this will hurt the feet. This tends to be a surface dependent problem, with manmade gravel trails as one of the worst. Balancing too much and too little shoe is difficult on some surfaces. A minimalist shoe like the [[Modified Nike Free]] works well on asphalt or natural trails, but struggles on rough gravel.
* '''Foot slap''' If you can hear your feet slap the ground when they land, the force that is causing the sound is also likely to damage your soles. Higher [[Cadence]] and more minimalist shoes should help reduce this, but if foot slap remains, get someone to watch you run. They may be able to suggest the cause of the problem.
* '''Too much too soon''' A sudden increase in mileage can result in all sorts of overuse issues, including sore feet. Doing [[Too Much Too Soon ]] is especially dangerous when swapping to minimalist footwear, as it takes time to build up the required strength. Longer races can also cause sore feet.
* '''Time on feet''' Spending longer periods of time on your feet, whether or not you are running. If you have a job where you stand, or if you go sightseeing after a race, this can trigger sore feet.
==Treatment==
* '''Stay off your feet''' If your feet are sore, try to avoid spending more time standing, or walking.
* '''Ice''' Icing your feet can be initially painful, but can bring relief even if your feet are not swollen.
* '''[[Massage]]''' Massaging the feet may help recovery, but more importantly, it will help identify any more significant issues.
* '''Compression''' Using compression socks may help reduce the pain.
* '''Foot Baths''' Bathing your feet in salt or Epsom salts is a traditional cure for sore feet.
