I’ve been running in orthotics for about 5 years. They were prescribed as a preventative measure (my podiatrist encourages all her runners to wear them) not b/c of any problems. Between shoes/gyms, they have vanished. A new pair will be $350 - only $40 will be covered by insurance.
I’ve been running the past few weeks without them and besides feeling naked, I’m running fine. If anything, I’m better now b/c they were thick so I was always very tight in my shoes. Anyway, I’ve only seen one podiatrist and she encourages all her runners to wear them. Is this typical? I’m wondering if maybe I could get a good OTC pair or not even bother at all.
I was talked into getting a pair from an ultra runner friend of mine. Gotta say they caused me more problems than good.
Problems:
fine in training multiple problems in racing - burning blisters/hot spots during races, crippling tired metatarsals - can barely walk after a race
Stopped running in them for the Chicago Marathon - no problem. Ran 70.3 Clearwater - no problem & PR (did experience burning where a blister was created in my orthotics earlier in the year but that’s it).
For my money, I’ll work on my form and can the orthotics. My body is far smarter than orthotic makers.
For cycling, Petersen Powerbed orthotic inserts were one of the best things I ever discovered to enhance my comfort on the bike. I have very high arches and didn’t feel any brand of shoe was giving my feet the support I needed. With the Petersen Powerbeds, my dogs are really happy!
I’ve been running in orthotics for about 5 years. They were prescribed as a preventative measure (my podiatrist encourages all her runners to wear them) not b/c of any problems. Between shoes/gyms, they have vanished. A new pair will be $350 - only $40 will be covered by insurance.
I’ve been running the past few weeks without them and besides feeling naked, I’m running fine. If anything, I’m better now b/c they were thick so I was always very tight in my shoes. Anyway, I’ve only seen one podiatrist and she encourages all her runners to wear them. Is this typical? I’m wondering if maybe I could get a good OTC pair or not even bother at all.
Thoughts?
No, this is NOT typical. In fact, I’m the exact opposite. I DON’T like running in them nor do most runners. Most people intuitively “know” if they need them for running. When the do and made right/for the right reason(s) - yup: a godsend for runners who couldn’t go without them.
So he/she would put anyone in some orthotics, regardless of mileage, injuries, etc.? Makes zero sense - of course if you are at the office, so something is wrong, but still…
Overpronation was exacerbated by stresses and strains of ultimate frisbee, leading to an inflammed tendon. Custom orthotics fixed me up overnight (what a miracle cure, I loved it). But I never was comfortable walking and running with them long term, so I made a leap… and ditched them after 7-8 months. Luckily that was the right move, as I never did have the same foot problems again. I’m glad I don’t depend on them anymore.
I have bunions on both feet, and they finally got annoying enough to see a podiatrist this fall. On his advice I bought a pair of OTC orthotics ($45) that, combined with wider shoes, seem to be working out so far. Been running relatively pain free since then.
Next step (no pun intended) would be custom orthotics; but maybe the more inexpensive OTC option would work for you? Only thing is that I think they wear down quickly. He told me I could expect 4-6 months of life out of them, but even after just one month they are showing a little wear. In the long run (uh, again, NPI), maybe the custom orthotics would be more economical.
As an aside, the shoes I’ve been running happily in are Etonics. All Akron marathon finishers this fall got a voucher for a free pair, and I used mine to get a pair of their Jepara (stability) model. I didn’t even know Etonic still made running shoes - I’m a Saucony man myself - but I am very happy with these and considering buying more in the future.
I’m 53, run 50 miles/week, do ultras and IMs and wear them religiously. Not a hint of injury with them, quickly get runner’s knee on my left leg without.
It’s in the angles. A good sports med doctor can tell you whether you’re at risk depending on whether you’re bowlegged, etc. A great book on the subject is Running Injury Free. If the center of the knee mass doesn’t travel over the center of the foot as you stride, your risk goes up.
A good source for them is footdynamics.com. I have no relationship to them but have used theirs for 5 years. They’re cork so they’re light and last forever. I’ve fit over 20 of my friends with them for various repetitive strain problems, even a couple of guys who worked hard on their form via the Pose method, and all but one has been able to run injury free since.
I was originally a big proponent of wearing orthotics. I wore mine for years. I have a very weak ankle from constant sprains and re-sprains. Every time I tried running without orthotics my ankle would flare up. I finally saw the right person at a local running store who watched me run in a few pairs of shoes and noticed my ankle rolling in most cases. We finally settled on the Brook Adrenaline and so far, I’ve been injury free and faster than ever.
I think it’s possible to run without orthotics even if you have problems, but finding the right running shoe is the key. Sometimes, though, you’ll need the helpful eye of an experienced person. The salesperson who helped me is trying to qualify for the olympic trials for the marathon with a 2:20 time, so he had the credentials. I’m definitely lucky I found him because every other “shoe expert” I saw was totally worthless.
Orthotics for many people are very important, and without them, performance suffers and eventually this will lead to permanent problems. Unfortunately there are very few specialists in the field of orthotics who really understand what is needed for cycling and running. The leading expert in the United States is Bill Peterson of Foot Fitness in Rhode Island. His phone number is 1-800-226-5594. He has done orthotics for the best cyclists and triathletes in the world, including Lance Armstrong.
Mike Fraysse
i wore them in high school when i did a lot more miles than I do now (at least looking at average weeks). I had such terrible knee problems in high school and i think the orthotics helped minimize them and let me run (though i could not walk well otherwise…)
after a year away from running in started back up with a good pair of motion control shoes and have been fine since. i won’t go back. i have a few friends who experienced similar things… a great shoe that works for you body can sometimes be as good as a shitty shoe combined with a good orthotic.
Orthotics for many people are very important, and without them, performance suffers and eventually this will lead to permanent problems. Unfortunately there are very few specialists in the field of orthotics who really understand what is needed for cycling and running. The leading expert in the United States is Bill Peterson of Foot Fitness in Rhode Island. His phone number is 1-800-226-5594. He has done orthotics for the best cyclists and triathletes in the world, including Lance Armstrong.
Mike Fraysse
Ah, right. Bill and Paraic are simple the “inventors” of e-soles (that I have decided NOT to go with after looking into their “scanning” system and seeing their orthotics). Marisol on here has also had a pair made for her and they are nothing special. The “genius” is in the capture method, making this more science than art with a simple vaccuum and laser scanning (done for a while now). Still need an experienced person to make decisions and their “training” can be done by anyone who wants to take a course.
They do have an impressive list of CYCLING clients because of Bill and Paraic’s background since orthotics are relatively new to the cycling world, but not new in general (even used to some extent by the ancient Greeks) and for runners, effectively for over 50 years now.
This isn’t completely accurate.
I have known Bill Peterson for more than 35 years. He has been doing orthotics all that time. The problem is that he is so busy that he had to come up with the “e-soles” system so that other qualified people could take some of the load off his shoulders.
Bill not only is an expert diagnostician, he also understands cleat position in relation to a person’s body structure, giving the athlete a more efficient motion. I have sent triathletes and cyclists to him, including my own son, who were virtually lame from riding and running. Bill fixed every single one of them, at a fraction of what other people charge. The problem is that he is in Rhode Island so you must go directly to him if you don’t want to get involved with e-soles in the comfort of your own area.
Mike Fraysse
I wear OTC orthotics in my street shoes because a pronate a little and it helps lessen my tendency to PF. As I have transitioned to a forefoot landing I don’t need them. The windlass effect (I think it’s called) that occurs with the toe dorsiflexed, keeps the arch up and ‘voila’–no problem.
