So, I spent Sunday blogging :-), which gave my unhappy posterior tibial tendon a rest. I will say that I hobbled all day, but I noticed a reduction in pain by Sunday night. This was important because I have a standing run scheduled with my friend every Monday on the wonderful 3 mile gravel loop.
I decided that going ahead with the run would be fine given that I take it easy during said run and wear my orthotics and super stiff running shoes if I don’t feel that it is at least 50% better by 4pm. I also decided to wear my Danskoâ„¢ shoes today as they are supposed to be so good that you don’t need your orthotics with them.
Sidetrack for the Danskoâ„¢ shoes:
Up until today, I had no idea why these shoes were so great or why people loved them so much. I bought mine on the recommendation of my mother, who loves hers, and she bought hers on the recommendation of her foot doctor. Why not? My mom thinks they’re great, and she and I share some foot similarities. Plus, they are doctor approved. I wore them, and I liked them. However, they didn’t make me jump for joy because they felt so good. That is until today.
I now know why the Danskoâ„¢ shoe is so great for flat footed or orthotic wearing people, even without being able to put orthotics in them. Those shoes do all the work for your foot! I mean, my tendon didn’t do anything. The shoe is so rigid that your foot does not have to push off or bend or do anything! It was amazing to my over-worked and inflamed tendon. I was quite pleased with my Danskoâ„¢ shoes on my morning commute (walk) to work, and I had been really worried about really aggravating that tendon.
Back to the run:
Throughout the day I paid attention to how my left foot felt. It didn’t really get “better”, but I didn’t want to bow out of my run since I am establishing a behavior. I decided to go ahead and run, but I had to wear my orthotics and super stiff running shoes. I was very bummed.
We got to the super 3 mile gravel loop and decided to do the loop in run/walk mode. I noticed the difference in shoes immediately. Running in my othotics is like running with a corset on my foot. I couldn’t move my feet to adjust for objects in my way as quickly as when I am “barefoot”. I couldn’t adjust my forefoot at all. I really tried to maintain mid-foot running today, but it was really difficult as my running shoes are definitely pushing me to heel run. Not to mention, I was aware of my IT bands, again. Yes, after one day! I haven’t felt them at all in my “barefoot” runs. AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!
However, my tendon was much relieved and made it through just fine. It is happily icing right this minute. I also noticed that I hobbled not at all and the pain was considerably less after my run today in the orthotics. Hmmm.
So, I am now determined to get this tendon feeling better, and to take it more slowly with maybe a half barefoot/half running shoe run. I haven’t decided. I am going to do more balancing exercises specifically for the left ankle. I have found the most effective to be standing on the Bosu® on one foot for 30 seconds. Talk about challenging – definitely be prepared to fall off 🙂
I am still disappointed, but I will say that my right foot is adjusting perfectly. It is no longer sore. All I have to do now is get my left foot up to strength. I think I can! We shall see.
Tags: balancing exercise, Bosuâ„¢, Danskoâ„¢ shoes, left foot pain, orthotics, posterior tibial tendon, super stiff running shoes