Left Foot Still Sore

It was a beautiful day in Richmond unlike today -- I ran seven miles (8/9:00 minutes per mile) last Thursday and what a feeling of running in Spring weather. I ran from my townhouse on Parkwood Ave, down Main Street to the VCU Monroe Park Campus then up Franklin to Monument, down Boulevard did a U around Carytown and then ran to Byrd Park. Try mapping that route with Google Maps.

I let my legs and feet go wherever they please. It was great to be outside. I stretched as soon as I got home, stretching the hamstrings, legs and arms. Another beautiful day, I went to work and went running again after 5. I barely stretched and tried to go for another long run. Unfortunately it was cut down to about 3 miles due to my left foot. So I decided to take it easy for the weekend and pick it up Monday.

For some reason it was still sore, what could it be?! I don't think my foot was broken, I even massaged my foot. I laid off from running again.

The cause: It might have been stretching?? I was on mapmyrun.com and I entered a forum about stretching and Jeff Galloway on how stretching is not necessary and how we've evolved from animals into humans - how we shouldn't have to stretch especially in the AM.

I personally like to stretch before -- been stuck running on the treadmill and when its race day I usually stretch a bit longer to kill time but I think it has seldom influences to performance. But could the cause of my foot be from running on it, shoe? shoes too loose? There has got to be an explanation. I've never experienced this soreness either ever including shin splits.