Originally Posted by
memiles
I'm now googling them as we speak. There is one about 20 minutes away, will check and see if my insurance covers him.
I had an ah-ha moment on my run this morning. First mile, from practically the first step, either my shin or my calf were killing me. It was to the point that I could only run in 2-3 minute chunks, but stopping to walk just made the calf cramp even worse. I started really paying attention to my gait and NOTHING I could do made me feel like my feet were hitting the ground the way they should. So, I stopped, in the pouring rain, sat down on the ground (in a puddle, I think) and took my orthotics out of my shoes. I figured, what the hell, at least this way I can figure out what my feet are trying to do, right? Basically instantly things felt different- I felt like my calves were stretching a bit with every step, I felt like I was meeting the pavement with the middle of my foot instead of the outside, and the shin pain was 95% better. I could feel very, very different muscles as I ran, but for the first time in forever, I felt like I could run without having to deliberately take steps to ignore something that didn't feel right.
Thinking back, I remember the guy at the running store saying "wow, those are some SERIOUS inserts". DH mentioned today that when I had them cast for my feet, I was about 25 lbs heavier. I also don't remember standing when he made the cast, so I'm thinking that they really have no relation whatsoever to what my feet do when I run. Now the question- do I keep running in these shoes (very, very neutral, fit for the orthotics) or do I go and get refit without them. I wouldn't make it that urgent except I'm 8 weeks out from my first half and don't want to be dealing breaking in shoes as I get really close.