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 🙂