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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
+1 for neutral shoes & ITBS

rjsurfer

Aug 28, 08 6:54

Post #1 of 12 (368 views)

+1 for neutral shoes & ITBS	Can't Post

Two months before LP I made the swap to MC shoes on the recommendation of my PT, thinking it would help my ITBS.....I did so many things prior to the race I'm not sure what got me through the training to be honest, that's one problem with the shotgun approach. But I was 75% for the race and I suffered through the run and finished.

Now I'm ramping up for the B2B IM next month and sure enough on my long run two days ago I felt the "pain", not bad, but you can tell it was starting. I had some pain the rest of the day and my bike yesterday didn't make it worse, but I was depressed non the less.

Today just for jollies I swapped out my MC shoes for my Speedstars, their light/flexible bright golden yellow and neutral (also well worn) for my 11 miler. Half way down the block I new I made the right choice. Zero pain and no discomfort the entire run. I'm still going to take it easy but I think I can finally see the light with this injury.

Tigerchik; might be worth a try.

rjsurfer

(This post was edited by rjsurfer on Aug 28, 08 6:57)

matti58

Aug 28, 08 6:59

Post #2 of 12 (362 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [rjsurfer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I hope you continue to get better!

I never really had to deal with ITBS, but I had a history of lower-leg injuries and pains. I'm a big guy at 6'4" and 195lbs, plus I pronate pretty heavily on my right side. I just assumed I needed to be in a beefy motion control shoe. Wrong. I switched to a very simple, neutral shoe about three years ago and things immediately started to get better. I learned that I should not fight the natural motion of my legs and feet.

QRgirl

Aug 28, 08 7:15

Post #3 of 12 (353 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [rjsurfer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I LOVE the Speedstars. I've just started running again after about two years off, I may need to go get a new pair...

Tri Slow Poke

Aug 28, 08 7:27

Post #4 of 12 (333 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [matti58] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"I learned that I should not fight the natural motion of my legs and feet."

You hit the nail on the head. In my over 20 years or competitive running, I've found that most running injuries are caused by shoes that dictate how a foot lands. Most people don't have perfect strides, but they buy motion control shoes that forces their legs in positions that aren't natural to them. I've seen folks with shoulder pain from incorrect striding. Normal neutral shoes allow runners to land wherever they want in their stride and promote a more natural motion.

Did you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24

matti58

Aug 28, 08 7:49

Post #5 of 12 (309 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [Tri Slow Poke] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Good post.

JamieJ

Aug 28, 08 8:01

Post #6 of 12 (298 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [rjsurfer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

sorry to hijack but I have a pair of speedstar's on the classifieds right now. 11.5 mens. Just didn't work for me but no ITBS problems.

2009 Races:
TTT, Muncie Endurathon, IMoo

MattQ

Aug 28, 08 8:58

Post #7 of 12 (251 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [matti58] [In reply to]	Can't Post

sounds like same thing that happened to me. Shops, Doc ,and PT all put me in a MC. Made everything worse, now running in the Brooks Axiom and the ST3, feeling great!

swimshady

Aug 28, 08 9:08

Post #8 of 12 (239 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [rjsurfer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also have B2B in 9 weeks and last week started having ITB issues. I had my long run up to 18 miles and now I can't run 2 miles before the knee pain sets in. I'm starting to freak out now because it hasn't gone away with foam rolling, stretching, etc and I've never had this type issue before. I have an appointment with an chiro/ART doc today who is also going to do a biomechanical analysis. I went to Ascics Nimbus cushioned shoes (which I think are neutral) for my long run build up from the Zoots that I've been training and racing in all year. Maybe it's that big cushy heel that's screwing me up. This sucks.

rjsurfer

Aug 28, 08 9:31

Post #9 of 12 (221 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [swimshady] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Swimshady,

Your injury is a carbon copy of mine at least in terms of 9 weeks away from your A race and just at the 18 mile mark in your training....I don't know what to say, I freaked out and did the usual ice, Advil, stretching, strengthening, PT, ART, rest blah blah. I'm thinking back now and resting, ice, advil and foam roller did the most at that point. I think ART and PT were a bit to invasive at that stage of the injury and might have actually worsened the condition. Stay away from the exact spot of inflammation, work around it.

Mine was caused by running on the angled surface of the beach, I now swap sides on the road every 5 min or so even on what appears to be a flat surface.

If you never ran again till the race you still could do it, your already maxed out your running and the swimming and biking will carry you through.

Ditch the Nimbus I'm guessing.

See you November 1st..

rjsurfer

dongustav

Aug 28, 08 9:39

Post #10 of 12 (210 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [QRgirl] [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you like the speedstars, i highly recommend you try out the Nike Zoom Skylon. Its pretty close to the former zoom hayward which some people around here use in IMs. I have never been a big Nike fan but the Skylons are GREAT. just as flexible & light as the Speedstar but a tad more cushion in the front. I'm a mid-to-toe striker and the Speedstars seem to wear quick in the forefoot and then seem to feel too high in the heel for me. i still race in the Asics Magic & Adizero RC, but when i'm training on the road i go with the Skylon.

i have this model, but there is also a new model out w/ same construction.
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/...;PartnerName=Froogle

runlikeamother

Aug 28, 08 9:50

Post #11 of 12 (205 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [rjsurfer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I do everything in Saucony Fastwitch now, the ones without any stability, and I'm running the most I have in 4 months. (knock on wood) I also had swapped to a little stability when it all went to hell back in March.. People had been giving me hell for training 40 mpw in only race flats. Turns out, that's what works for me.

TC - I agree, try it.

rjsurfer - glad you're feeling better.

Timex Multisport Team 2008
Joining the bloggers..

ckemeny

Aug 28, 08 10:38

Post #12 of 12 (161 views)

Re: +1 for neutral shoes & ITBS [In reply to]	Can't Post

A couple of years back I had ITBS issues and I tried massage, foam rollers, stretching, strengthening... None of it seemed to help. I ended up finding out that I had a leg length discrepancy and purchased custom made orthotics with a slight lift in the heel of my shorter leg. I also switched from running in a neutral NB shoe to running in Spria Del Sols. I have not experienced a single ITBS issue since. I was able to double my running mileage within 6 months of making the switch. I am now going on 2 years without a running injury (knock on wood). In fact, a number of my training partners have switched to the Del Sols and had similar experiences with injuries improving and staying injury free.