Ask the Coach: I love my shoes but I don't think they are working for my feet

My name is Lisa and I’m a college student and an avid athlete. I’ve been involved in everything from kickboxing, horseback riding, rowing, and, most recently, the sport of triathlon training.

I have run numerous 5ks, 10k, a few half marathons, and Spartan obstacle course races in the past. My body can physically run but I find myself struggling with my feet while I run. I am a small person, about 5-foot-1 and I have small but wide feet to go with it: size sixes in regular shoes and I have been wearing size eights to run in. I have a pair of ASICS brand shoes and a pair of Saucony brand shoes. Both of them I love to pieces...which is exactly what is happening with them.

When I run, I usually run 4 to 7 miles on the average run two to three times per week, I find my pinkie toe gradually tearing a hole in both shoes. My beloved ASICS and Saucony shoes both have holes where my pinkie toe is.

I have also found that my feet, regardless of the weather or which pair of shoes I run in, I get large, almost blister-like sores on the balls of my feet. They’re incredibly painful and they won’t callus up. I can only run so far at a time due to these painful sores on my feet. Unsure what they are, since they disappear in a day or two, and only hurt for a few hours. Are there socks that could help with this? Or an insert into my shoe?

I am in need of new shoes, preferably shoes with zero drop, to get off on the right foot for my transition into the sport of triathlon training. I would love any suggestions for my small but troublesome feet to help prevent more holes and sores. I want to increase my mileage but am struggling to do so.

Thanks in advance and for your time reviewing my email.

Best regards,
Lisa