Sore balls of feet on longer runs

Hi, I've just started to increase my weekly mileage & am building up my long runs from this week ready for a summer marathon. About 7-8 miles in to a run the balls of my feet hurt (the pad of flesh behind the big toe) It's like a burning sensation, not really a blister. I find it hard to focus on the run as the remaining miles are quite painful.

Are there any ways to overcome this? I wear cushioned insoles, wear the double thickness socks (bought from Start fitness). I dont really do anything in terms of moisturising/hardening my feet as I'm not sure which option is best.

Is there any thing else I can try? (will try it out on my 13 mile run this Friday) Thanks

You could try Sorbathhane insoles, I had the same problem a couple of years ago and they really helped, the extra thick socks really wont make any difference, its proabably inflamation of the bones that make up the joints under the big toe rather than hard skin 

Or if you haven't done so  already, go to a specialist running shop and check you are running in the right shoes

sounds like what i have had recently...its meterarsalglia.  an inflamation of the joint.

you can buy a pad about £3 from bots/superdrug that hooks around your toe that has a cushioned padding to help the joint when out running.  i also did some stretching exercises as per the physio which were pulling your toes down and holding for 10 secs or so.

http://www.shoesnfeet.com/foot-pain/metatarsalgia-pain-in-the-ball-of-the-foot

Thank you for the replies and information. I'll take a look. It does feel more like soft tissue rather than a bone problem, I should have said the pain is more on the midsole of the foot than right behind the toe - I'm sorry, that was my fault for not explaning it well.

I will try sorbathane insoles, I've only bought a cheap pair from Wilkinsons & probably need more cushioning.

Is the jury still out on whether hardening skin on the feet or moisturising is the best thing to do?