Sunday, July 28, 2013

Sore Feet or Sore Knees?

I recently switched back to a pair of neutral trainers (Saucony something, I've had them for quite a while but barely wore them) after this latest foot flare-up. I'm probably jinxing it, but my foot is feeling better after a couple of weeks in PT. (Ted--see if you can find a therapist who is trained in dry needling. Not a miracle, but for me has been great at releasing tight spots I just couldn't get to.)  I do feel like there is more cushioning between my foot and the ground in non-minimalist-style shoes, but I noticed after a couple of runs that my knees have been aching in a way I haven't felt in years. I can't be sure that the shoe switch is the reason, but since I'm probably running differently (less on my toes), it does make sense. I feel like it's possible the knees could settle down after a few more weeks in the old shoes, but I don't want to feel like an 80-y.o. shuffling along anymore if I don't have to. I'm conflicted! And I desperately want to enjoy running during an upcoming long weekend in Deep Creek, MD and then in Cape Cod the following week.
Posted by at

6 comments:

  1. TedJuly 28, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    I'm working on a similar theory. I"ve only been running too and from the gym (1/2 mile each way), but i've started doing it in my old Brooks Glycerines (neutral cushioned). It seems to take some of the stress off the heel. What I'm trying to do is to use the regular shoes, but run with a high cadence and a midfoot (not forefoot) stride. That seems to be working pretty well. Maybe that would take some of the stress off your knee.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Becky WexlerJuly 28, 2013 at 7:10 PM

    Maybe. But that sounds like a lot of work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. TedJuly 29, 2013 at 9:14 AM

    Speaking of which, where and when will you be on the Cape? We're in Wellfleet 8/4-8/10.

    ReplyDelete
  4. TedJuly 29, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    As for the running technique, it's not hard. I just don't go very fast or very far. . . The thought is that if you're back in standard shoes, you're probably naturally heel striking, which stresses the knee. If you pretend you're still in minimal shoes, and lean forward and run with short stride and quick turnover, that will take some of the stress off your knee, without stressing your foot. That's the concept, at least. I'm still a week away from trying it out on anything more than a super short run.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Becky WexlerJuly 30, 2013 at 1:16 PM

    I wore my Kinvaras on the treadmill this morning. Stride just feels so much more natural...for the moment.

    My parents rent a house in Harwich most of August. Hannah and I will be there Aug. 7-14! I have to consult my map and remind myself where Wellfleet is...on the way to P-town, right?

    ReplyDelete
  6. TedJuly 30, 2013 at 2:42 PM

    Wellfleet is most of the way up the Cape, between Eastham and Truro. It might be possible to overlap a morning bike ride. :-)

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)