Why are my feet numb?

Numbness and tingling in the feet is not necessarily common while running, but does occur. It's alarming to feel those "pins and needles" but it doesn't always mean that something serious is wrong. If you experience this, try to loosen your shoe laces and see if this makes a difference. Pay particular attention to how tight the laces are across the toe box (the widest area of the foot near the toes). If there is too much compression of the toe box, it pushes all of the smaller bones in your feet together. This puts pressure on the nerves that run between your toes. If simply loosening the laces doesn't work, the next step would be to have a specialty running store evaluate you to determine the right shoe for your foot. Proper shoe wear is important because it not only helps with mechanics, but also can improve the health of your foot. Also, breathable socks are also a must, especially in the summer. Heavy socks will make your feet warm and too much material in the shoe could cause compression as well, which may lead to the tingling sensation. Opt for lightweight socks with a breathable mesh. If these simpler options don't provide any relief, it may be time to see your doctor. Compression syndrome, inter-compartment swelling of the lower leg muscles, could eventually lead to numbness and tingling in the feet. This is a serious condition and needs to be evaluated right away if conservative treatment wasn't helpful.