Posts Tagged ‘stability shoes’
7/19/10 – Run 2A – First Run for New Shoes: The Beginning of the Experimental Stage
Posted by admin in Training (running, cycling, etc.) on July 19th, 2010
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….
7/17/10 – Buying New Shoes…Hopefully less structure?
Since I am finally going to start the running program with no injury to the posterior tibialis tendon, I decided to get new shoes with less structure. Thus, I went to Road Runner Sports where they do the Shoe Dogâ„¢ foot analysis.
For those of you who are unaware, I can be extremely high strung when in a situation where I do not know all the details or cannot control the outcome, etc.
Now, several interesting finds – Sam, who did my Shoe Dogâ„¢ foot analysis, measured my foot first. It turns out that my right foot is now measuring as a straight up size 9 where it used to be a 9.5. My left foot is still at 9.5. I have read that as you build up your feet they will get smaller because you are tightening and toning the muscles. So, much like when you tighten and tone your tummy, you can wear smaller clothes; when you tighten and tone your feet, you could potentially wear smaller shoes 🙂
Second find, Sam put me on the mat that measures where the pressure is in your feet, and he found that I have HIGH arches!!! OMG – what?! Woohoo!!! I have “high arches”. Who would have thought? I couldn’t believe it! So, I was unrealistically expecting my feet to be completely upright during the run. However, that was not to be. Although I can stand with somewhat subtalar neutral stance, I am still colapsing in the arch when I run.
Poor Sam, without knowing that my feet are so much better than they were six months ago, says something to the effect of “Your left foot is really collapsing….” Of course, I can see this, and I am very disappointed. So, what do I do? I defensively reply, “I have been working on strengthening it since February, and it is a LOT better!”
Poor guy doesn’t realize that I really need him to acknowledge something that he has absolutely no idea about. I do acutally take this into consideration, and we proceed – I stop talking so as to not stick my foot any further into my mouth.
He recommends a stability shoe, which is what Travis told me to get. I am then introduced to Jack, who begins to get shoes out for me. He humors my insane want of the Nike Lunar Elite+ running shoe (I really want this shoe, but I forgot that it is too narrow and not designed for orthotics – maybe next year when I’m hopefully not wearing orthotics?), and he also gets the shoes that he knows will accomodate my orthotics. I tell him that I have been in Nike Equalon+, and I would like to get closer to barefoot running over time.
He says, “Cool”, and we proceed. I decided on the Brooks Adrenaline. They fit my foot like a glove. AND they cost WAY less than any shoe I have bought in 10 years! I love not wearing motion control or stability+ shoes. It’s not only better for my feet, it’s also better for my wallet.
Ok, I have shoes.
Now, I’m waiting on my friends, who are working with Daniel. We’re all talking shoes, and they are looking at shoes similar to mine. One of them has the Nike Equalon+ out. Daniel says that the Nike Equalon+ has less support in the medial post (that’s the part that supports your posterior tibial tendon, and it is what gives the shoe regidity) than the Brooks Adrenaline, that I had chosen…..WHAT?! I’m trying to reduce the support – why did I get these shoes?! Ok, mini-freakout ensues. I begin to doubt my choice. What shoe do I get? Do I go back to the Nike Equalon+ or stay with the Brooks Adrenaline or look at other shoes – AHHHHH!!!!
I see Jack. I ask him why the Brooks Adrenaline, if they are actually stiffer than the Nike Equalon+, would be a good shoe to get me closer to barefoot running. He knowledgably replies that while the Nike Equalon+ might have less of the structure in the medial post, it is “more shoe” because of the huge amount of cushioning it has. He tells me that he thinks the Brooks Adrenaline are a better shoe for me because they have less cushioning, which is what I want to start transitioning into if I am wanting to run barefoot.
Ok, this makes sense to me. Whew.
I have new shoes!
Thanks Road Runner Sports! Welcome to the Village 🙂
First Run 4/30/10 – One week later…
Posted by admin in Training (running, cycling, etc.) on May 3rd, 2010
So, I finally did it! After the hike, my tendon continued to hurt, and I think I found some pollen on the trail that really got me down for several days. Thus, I iced everyday and decided that Friday was the day.
The walking one mile and running only 1/4 mile was surprisingly challenging. It was fantastic, though. I felt really good, and I worked on trying to take longer strides. Turns out that when I am working on having a longer stride, I need a lot more strength from my quadriceps. Thus, I end up banging my feet on the ground. Then, I find myself chanting – out loud, mind – “lighter, lighter, lighter…” Now, lets talk about trying to do a mid-foot strike in motion control shoes with prescription orthotics – oh wait! It’s not possible! All of these aspects lend themselves toward a solid heel strike. At least, that is how I found my foot falling – firmly on the heel. More ground slapping when I tried to mid-strike. Therefore, I was not so successful on the mid-foot strike this last time. Whew! At least it was only 1/4 mile.
So, I’m wondering if looking into some straight up stability (not motion control) shoes is a good option. I will say that I am certainly not interested in plunking down $100 for a trial and error go at this point. My current shoes are in very good shape b/c I only use them for running. We shall see as I continue to train this time around.
I took two days off this weekend. I will resume the plan tomorrow morning. See you bright and early if your out and about!