http://howlingcommando.fastrunningblog.com

Hey Benn,

It's tough to tell from that picture, but it almost looks like those shoes tilt outwards? Do they do that when you put them on a flat surface? If so, maybe the root of your problem is the shoes. Mine used to tilt inwards until I saw a podiatrist and got orthotics. Just a thought.

Benn, what can I say. Remember that the glass must be half full, so find the good in all that snow and the healing that you are doing. Some day you will be able to give someone some great advice about all this.

Benn, hang in there pal! I appreciate your kind comments on my blog. Dale has a good point, I also turn my shoes out and Steve Hooper got me fixed up. Maybe he could suggest a shoe for you.

Hang in there! They have suggested new shoes for me and I am giving them a whirl tomorrow - Maybe new shoes can cure world hunger?

Benn, I agee with Mike, give Steve Hooper a call, ST.George running center. The right shoes are the ticket. Also, get some socks,waxing and a suntan. (kidding). Hope you get feeling better soon.

Stay Kool, not frozen, B of BS Rools out

Yeah, All my shoes tilt really far outward after only 200 or so miles... I have really flast feet with 0 arch, but I have a pair of orthodics I wear. I'm trying so hard to stay positive, but now it has seemed my leg didn't like being on my feet all day at work . ugh!

So yeah I have orthotics... but even with them in they still tilt really far out. Hence the doctor telling me I should not be a runner. :(

Find another doctor! :)

Seriously, are your orthotics prescription? If not, you may want to visit a podiatrist.

In any event, your shoes are telling you a story. My very first injury was to my left achilles, brought on because I was in shoes that were fairly supportive, but still needed the extra that a custom orthotic would provide. Getting the right shoe/orthotic pair fixed me right up and may very well help you too.

Boy, the more I think about this the more sense it does not make.

I'm not foot specialist, but if you've got flat feet, normally you're an over-pronator. But your shoes tilt outwards, which I believe indicates a lack of pronation. Could it be your shoes/orthotics are inducing too much correction?

Really, talk with someone knowledgeable on running shoes. Steve Hooper sounds like the guy on the blog to help get you fixed up!

Yeah my orthotics were about $300 or so. I'd never been to an orthopedic or podiatrist before, but I really should go find a different one. I also have a ton of nail trauma damage which might be from the wrong sized shoes as well. I have to take the insert out of the shoes in order to run in them, as putting an orthotic on top of the shoe insert puts too much pressure on the top of my foot. My feet are all sorts of messed up.

Mine too....I've got splay feet and winking kneecaps so don't feel like you're the only one. I had toenail damage until I finally got over myself and went up another 1/2 size in shoes (1 full size about my normal shoes). I think most folks that use orthoes take the standard inserts out...they don't do much for long anyway.

I wound up taking my orthoes to a shoe store and trying on about 20 pair to find ones that fit my orthoes and felt like I had space. In my case, I found that the Brooks Adrenaline and Asics GT 2120 were the two I like so far. I've also run in the Brooks Beasts and Addictions earlier in my running career. I probably needed them back then when I had poor muscle strength but they're too much now. I worked on my hip strength and focused on keeping my toes pointed forward (as much as I can) for months to overcome years (35+ at the time) of bad gait habits and I'm certain I'm a better runner for it.

If the top of your foot is too tight, keep the laces loose too...I used to overtighten mine, and I'd get these bumps on the top of my foot where they'd rub and swell. It's a fine line between too loose and too tight, but you can find it.

Don't give up hope. At least there's some things you know you can try, right?

Yeah I do the same, and bring orthotics with me to the shoe store. I have used the Asics 2110s for about two years now, and love them. I am going to order another pair today. I think all the shoes I have (except for the new 2120s I have that only have 100 miles) are completely shot. I wear size 11.5 in normal shoes and have been buying size 11 in the Asics for the last year or so. Should I try moving up to the 11.5 size for the 2110s and see if that helps? Unfortunately they are only available online so I have no idea if they will be "too big" or something.

Well, again, I think before you buy more shoes you should get some more professional shoe advice. If all your shoes tilt outwards, something is *not* right. If you decide to do it yourself anyway...

You shouldn't be getting toenail damage, so I'd guess that's because they're not long enough. If you don't have at least a finger's width between your toes and the end of the shoe, then definitely go up 1/2 size.

If you already buy shoes online, consider http://www.runningwarehouse.com/

They offer free 2-day shipping and include a return label (free) if the shoes don't work out. You can't run in them outside, but you can try them around the house/apartment and perhaps even on a treadmill to see if they fit and then decide risk free. Plus, the prices are decent.

Yeah all my shoes that I have here (consulted 8 old pairs of shoes), all tilt the same if not more than the ones in the picture. I thought this was just because I wore them out. Sorry for all the questions and what not, but I've never really had access to people that know what they're talking about or a specialist or anything. We don't have any running stores in my area either. All we have are Dick's Sporting Goods stores, and none of the employees there seemed to have any suggestions. Should I see if my insurance will cover going to an orthopedic?

I would see a podiatrist (foot specialist), not an orthopedist, if your insurance covers it. Try to find one that specializes in sports medicine, a runner preferably, of course. They should be able to analyze your gait, recommend shoes and prescribe orthoes (if needed) to handle your gait particulars.

As an alternative, consult a running store specialist. It really sounds like Steve Hooper is the blog guy to work with. I'd imagine you could work with him over the phone or online to get your issues sorted out.

Take my advice with a grain of salt.....all my advice is based on my experience, which is not necessarily all applicable to your situation, but I do see a lot of similarities. I probably know enough to be dangerous...