Still Running Down a Dream

... but unlike Tom Petty's version, I'm hoping mine will come to me!

I've been discussing orthotics and foot issues with a friend from the RWOL forum. He's The BBK (The Baseball Kid) and he's run thousands of miles over the years and many races, including a sub 2:50 marathon. I asked him to tell me more about his running style and his running shoes. After years of repetitive overuse injuries, he slowly trained himself with the help of Newton Running Shoes to shorten his stride and therefore become a mid foot striker. He no longer uses the Newton Running Shoes because he's become quite efficient at the running style. Well, and they're almost $200 a pop.

I asked him what other tools he's used to avoid repetitive injuries and he said he's tried custom orthotics six times, all of them failed to help. He said it wasn't until his physical therapist suggested he try Walk Fit Insoles that he found a solution for his problems. His back hurt, his knees hurt and his feet hurt and he was just not feeling the love for running anymore. He tried these insoles (oddly enough there is a 'cheesy' commercial, as he puts it, on TV for them) and he has been problem free ever since.

I had to give these suckers a go and guess where I found them? Bed, Bath & Beyond! Yes, for the low, low price of $19.95. As seen on TV! The stiff orthotics come with 3 levels of support 'pads' which are actually more like hard plastic, so you can customize the foot bed to suit your level of comfort. I find that awesome because right now my right foot needs MAJOR support, whereas my left foot is still pretty strong so I use the lowest level support pad.

I took them out for a 20 mile run yesterday and it was like a God send. :) Don't get me wrong, the orthotics did not take away that long run 'pain' that you feel from miles 10-20, but it did prevent the sharp foot/ankle pain I'd been feeling. I completed the run the way my coach wanted me to: First 5 at 8:15s or faster, 2nd 5 at 7:50s or faster and last 10 at 7:20-7:30s (I did those at 7:22s average). I was so thankful to have survived it and am enjoying some downtime today.

Anyway, the Walk Fit Insoles support different parts of the arches in your feet, and don't focus on just medial stability. It feels like they are lifting the arch area placed closer to the mid foot rather than at the ankle, so they don't push on the tendon that is already thrashed (in my case at least). They seem to be supporting the bones that the posterior tibial tendon is attached to. I walk around in them and feel complete support! And a bonus is my knees don't crack as much as they used to.

Okay, enough endorsements. I hope you are all running happily and staying healthy. After all, none of this stuff matters unless you have your good health! I learned that lesson and hope to carry it with me forever.