Running is an excellent form of exercise for most of you to undertake, but certain medical conditions make running a difficult task. Any of you affected by flat feet will understand the pain and suffering that can be caused when you try running with flat feet. Flat feet are a common medical condition that affected an estimated 20 to 25 percent of the U.S. population, meaning around one-quarter of Americans struggle to run effectively. Flat feet running is one of the most difficult ways of achieving your fitness or competition goals, with the pain caused by this medical issue resulting in many Americans giving up their fitness dreams.

What are Flat Feet?

Flat feet are a common problem faced by millions of U.S. citizens. The medical condition, flat feet, is caused by the arches of the feet not providing support when you are moving. The most commonly seen symptom of flat feet is the sole being flat to the ground when standing up straight. This condition can be painful for some people when they walk and run and can occur in childhood or later in life. When you are affected by this medical condition, you could be affected by problems with the tendons, ligaments, Achilles, and other painful issues.

Think About your Route

If you are choosing to run in a competition, there will be little chance of the organizers making concessions for your flat feet running style. However, when you are running with flat feet to train or for your enjoyment, your thoughts should turn to the route you take for your run each day.

If your arches are flat, you should try to ease the burden on them by running across flat terrain. The route you choose should be chosen for its ability to ease the burden on your feet and legs as you run by limiting the number of hills and difficult terrain you cross each time you run. The golden rule to live by when flat feet running is flat arches performs best on flat ground.

Choose the Right Running Shoes

Choosing the correct running shoes to keep yourself pain-free is a difficult choice to make when you are experiencing problems with your feet. Flat feet running can be completed without pain using a conventional pair of shoes by millions of people affected by this issue. If you are running with flat feet without any problems, you should continue running with the style of shoes you have already been using.

A top tip for you to enjoy is to choose a pair of running shoes that give you a pain-free way of flat feet running. If you have a mild overpronation, you should try running with a pair of “stability” shoes. More severe overpronation problems can be addressed with a pair of “motion control” shoes.

Don’t Forget to Stretch

Some of the simplest ways of staying fit and pain-free when you include making sure you stretch to keep your muscles, tendons, and ligaments flexible. The flexibility you need when you are looking to complete pain-free flat feet running can be improved by stretching before and after you have completed the exercise. Making sure you remain as flexible as possible throughout your time running with flat feet.

Remember to Change your Running Shoes Regularly

When you find a pair of running shoes you are happy wearing regularly, you will find yourself wanting to keep them on your feet for the long-term. In the majority of cases, the best way of making sure the pain in your flat feet stays away is to change your running shoes before they wear out. This usually means you should look to make a change in your running shoes every 300 to 500 miles to keep the shock absorption factor of your shoes at their optimum performance level.

Try Barefoot Running

This may seem like a strange way of helping your flat feet running style, but removing your running shoes for a period each day could be beneficial. The benefits you will find when you are running with flat feet without shoes include finding your natural running style. If you are concerned about the way you have been running, you could benefit from removing your shoes and finding your natural running style. After a short time of flat feet running without shoes, your body will revert to a style that limits pain and allows your gait to return to its normal style.