Strengthen your lower legs (calves, connective tissue, tendons, etc.) thru barefoot walking, then running and you will enjoy the rest of your life injury free in much cheaper and lighter shoes.
Seriously.
It takes time, but it’s worth it. I believe this has been hashed and re-hashed a million plus times, so I’ll leave it at that.
I’m 7 weeks into my study of one. After 6 months of inactivity following some nagging injuries at the end of last year, I decided to ramp up running mileage slowly and do it in a combo of neutral shoes, 1/2 mar trainers, and XC racing flats. I’m now at 27 mpw and have had zero issues whatsoever. 6’4", 182lbs, flat footed overpronator according to RRS scanners (15 years of soccer cleats will do that to you…just like most developing worlders who spend their time barefoot or in sandals).
I currently do 25% of my miles in Asics Stratus, 50% in Asics Hyperspeeds, and 25% in Brooks XC flats. I have a pair of Teva Protons that I’ll be rotating in shortly. My calves were a bit sore at first, but not so much anymore. I’ll see how it goes when I get up to 40-50mpw by Aug.
Anyone know of a trainer like the Hyperspeeds that have a more durable outsole?
I am a flat, flat footed over-pronator (6’, 168) and ran in the Beast for two seasons. But man they are bricks. Decided to go with a lighter shoe (Mizuno Wave) with the SF inserts and have never been happier.
Just starting on my orthotics journey as well. Using them in the 2140s. I don’t “need” the stability but I can’t find a neutral shoe that I like the fit of as well. My concern, my orthotics are to help my surgically repaired (x2) ankle and neuromas, is that my ankle feels like it stiffens up with the orthotics. May just be a break in thing.
Does anybody put any stock in these MBT shoes that are out? I’ve had a few people telling me that they can correct and strengthen many issues.
I have to agree with some of the other posters, an orthotic in a motion control shoe is probably too much control. But it’s impossible to ‘diagnose’ your biomechanics over the internet. You have a few options:
Stick with the adidas shoe since you have been injury free.
Try another MC shoe, like the AVIA Avi-Lite Guide, which weighs ~ 11oz…quite light for the amount of guidance/control it provides.
Use the orthotic in a shoe with a little less control. The AVIA Avi-Rhythm has a nice platform for orthotic wearers, weighs about 10oz, and doesn’t have as much guidance/control as the Lite Guide.
It sounds to me like your orthotics don’t fit quite right. When you had your foot cast, was it done with or without your weight on your feet? I would definately go back to your ped and discuss this with him.
I’m with you on this. Unfortunately, probably 90% of all triathletes/runners have bought into it and will not change. I too years ago had suffered from the common running ailments. I have flat feet and pronate.
Went to a PT, then had orthotics made…the typical route. Finally read something whether here on ST or elsewhere that dubunked the entire myth. And it all centers on barefeet and the normal strengthening of the facia and tendons and muscles. In lieu of barefeet running, three times a week, I do barefoot one leg calve raises. At first, had to hold onto the wall for ballance support, but in time, once the strength developed, had no need for the wall. And of course no more need for those heavy orthotics and motion control shoes.
Orthotics and motion control shoes are crutches, not cures.
A couple things though:
develop a 90 caddence for cycling and running. That alone, particularly for running will correct pretty much all flaws.
after bringing home new running shoes, I do what Galloway recommends. Get some duct tape and junk mail paper and build up the arch support as needed in the sole. Again I have flat feet but the support I build in is minimal. Just a touch.
change out the shoes as needed.
Patience. It takes time but eventually one gets back to where nature intended us to be.
