Today was the inaugural run for the new shoes. I was really excited to get out and see how they work. Let me just say that I definitely am surprised and unsure.
Run 2A was the same and the first run – walk1/4, run 1/4, walk 1/4, run 1/4, walk 1/4 – and this time I was joined by two friends!
Keep in mind that I am wearing my new stability running shoes WITH my prescription orthotics. That will be important later….
Of course the beginning of the run was fine. I was having difficulty maintaining (ok, let’s be realistic – getting to) a mid-foot strike as the shoe and my orthotics were working against me. So, I kind of gave up on that and focused on my muscles staying active during the run.
Specifically, I was trying to engage glutes, hamstrings, core, quadriceps and big toes during each step and push-off. This takes a lot more concentration that I thought it would. However, I could tell a difference when I was making sure I was pushing off with the big toes and when I was not.
The second 1/4 mile run was a little more difficult. I noticed that my feet, specifically, were getting quite fatigued. The rest of my body seemed to be all set to move more.
After the third 1/4 mile walk, we had enough distance to do a bonus 1/4 mile run and still have a 1/4 mile walk for a cool down.
I really wanted to do the bonus run, but after walking almost the entire 1/4 mile, I discovered that as my endorphins thinned out, I began to feel that my RIGHT arch was killing me! You see, the combination of orthotics and brand new, apparently very high stability shoes was just too much together.
On a daily basis I do not really notice the orthotics at all, unless my feet are particularly sore or inflamed, then I am relieved that the orthotic is taking so much work off of my feet. When I feel the orthotic it is usually because it is doing too much.
So, this brings me to a very interesting place:
Do I keep these shoes and try to run without the prescription orthotic and maybe add a pre-made more supportive insole?
OR
Do I keep the orthotics and exchange the super stability shoes for shoes with less stability?
What to do?
I truly have no idea at this point. I have 60 days to return my shoes. I’m considering getting the pre-made supportive insoles and giving those a try, but which option GETS ME CLOSER TO MY GOAL?
Not a clue at this point.
Stay tuned….
Tags: goal, orthotics, running, stability shoes