Yes, I have been without my prescription orthotics for FIVE DAYS! Let me explain how this wondrous milestone came to fruition:
Over the past few months, I have been increasing my time in my Vibram 5 Fingersâ„¢ very slowly each week. I tried to remember to wear them daily, but sometimes I would forget. I also started trying to run in the 5 Fingersâ„¢ for approximately 10 minutes on the treadmill. I struggled with not aggravating that posterior tibial tendon on my left arch. I struggled with my right knee.
However, last weekend I decided to dig out my Newtonsâ„¢ that I had purchased last September. The Newtonâ„¢ is a running shoe that is designed to train you to run on your toes. I figured it would probably be a good transition shoe to running in the barefoot shoes because the Newtonsâ„¢ have regular running shoe structure. I was in a hurry, and I did not have enough time to put my prescription orthotics in the Newtonsâ„¢. I thought it would be a great experiment, if nothing else.
Away I went with a goal of one mile. I ran approximately .6 miles and walked intermittently. I felt great, but with all those endorphins from the run, it is truly hard to judge just how good my feet and tendons felt.
I woke up the next day to sore hamstrings (good, tired sore from working so hard) and happy feet! Wow! I couldn’t believe it! I ran some distance without my prescription orthotics and I could still walk! AWESOME!
So, on Tuesday, I decided to try the run again sans orthotics. This time I went for 1.5 miles. I ran for .4 miles, then walked .25 miles, then ran .25 miles, then walked and ran the rest of the distance in short bursts.
Now, here’s the weird part. My right arch was really wanting to cramp up on me in a way that reminds me of how plantar fasciitis is described. I had my Vibram 5 Fingersâ„¢ with me as well as a pair of shoes with my orthotics in them (yes, I am a veritable walking shoe closet – I have a large backpack). I put on the orthotics thinking that was what my feet really needed was a break from doing any work, but, you know what? The shoes with orthotics made it worse. Much worse, in fact.
So, I quickly, mostly out of curiosity, put on the Vibram 5 Fingersâ„¢.
After several steps, relief. My feet were so happy to be able to spread my toes and arch. It was like the Twilight Zone. I literally was walking on cloud 9. My feet preferred carrying their own weight to having the help of the prescription orthotics. Truly amazing!
So, since Wednesday, May 11, 2011, I have been ORTHOTICS FREE! I have worn my regular shoes (Keensâ„¢ for those who are curious) with their original inserts on the walks to work, and I switch to my Vibramsâ„¢ at work. If I’m feeling saucy, and it is not raining outside, I walk home in the V5Fs.
Yesterday, I decided to push the envelope and really challenge my feet – OK, I was actually just doing an experiment to see just how much my feet could take. At the beginning of the day, I put on the Newtonâ„¢ running shoes and ran .6 miles to the gym sans orthotics and did my workout, too. After that, my husband and I had a big day of walking planned, and I really wanted to wear my V5Fs all day. So, I did. I walked 1 mile to our first destination, which was a chocolate festival. Said chocolate festival equalled 3 hours of walking around vendors. Then, we walked about .5 miles to another festival where we walked for another hour around vendor tables. Our third stop was an art gallery, and finally .5 miles back home.
The result: My feet were tired, but fine. I woke up today with store hamstrings and really super happy feet!
Can it be true? Is it real? Am I actually free of the oppressive orthotics? Will I be able to simply purchase shoes and wear the original inserts home?
I cannot believe this day has arrived. I may have to wear the orthotics again for short periods of time as my feet continue to adjust, but to have gone for 5 days with no pain already. It is like I have real feet just like everyone else.
Now, it is onto training for a 5K or maybe, if all goes well in the next month, a 10K in September!!! 🙂
Tags: Newtonsâ„¢, orthotics, running, Sans Orthotics, Vibram 5 Fingersâ„¢