I don’t feel like writing a real blog post today.
After work I ran. One stinking mile. (9:20, at least.) At 0.95 miles, thanks to my custom orthotics, I began to feel a stabbing pain in my right arch. Just like yesterday. As much as I hated to do it, I slowed to a walk and walked another mile.
Driving home hurt my right leg so much I used my left foot to brake at stoplights. I could barely put weight on it when I arrived home, but after half an hour, I was back to feeling normal, with just a bit of lingering soreness.
Here is my dilemma.
I have to start marathon training next week. I’ve been a big slug lately, and I need to get this going strong. Do I stick with the orthotics that give me a lot of pain (but may get better), or just try out my new running shoes sans orthotics and see how that goes for awhile?
Sometimes a marathon seems so, so unattainable. Today is one of those days.
Sigh.
The Fit Bride 
I would definitely try the shoes sans orthotics. It doesn’t hurt to see if the new shoes help. Good luck!
I’m sorry you had such a rough run. I honestly don’t have any advice regarding the orthotics. Did the doctor say it’ll take time (possibly painful time) to break them in?
I wish I had an answer for you; I can tell you’re feeling very discouraged right now.
Maybe next time you can try a run without the orthotics, just to see what it’s like. Perhaps a call to the orthotics doctor (person) is in order. I’m sorry I’m not much help.
I wish you all the best!
Get new shoes. The orthotics sound awful!
I wear orthotics too and it does take a little while to break them in…..but it should just feel a little bit uncomfortable or annoying…..not full on pain like you were experiencing and especially after such a short time running. I would definitely try the new shoes without the orthotics and also give the foot doctor a call with your concerns. Good luck!! 🙂
I would wear your orthotics for short runs at first. I mean really short. Like half mile spurts to slowly break them in. (Or just walk with ’em in.) And then run without them and the new shoes to see how it goes. That sucks that they are hurting. That’s awful. I have plantar fasciitis and I feel your pain regarding driving with the opposite foot. I have to do that when it gets really bad. Ouch! Hope it all works out.
Ps. You can totally do this!
Hang in there, chica! You are a trooper!
Stick with the orthos for a little longer–they’re probably not broken in yet. Maybe try wearing your orthos as your every day shoe (sans work) to try and break them in? I feel like a lot of expertise has gone into customizing them for you, and that you shouldn’t give up yet, they may be the best shoe for you. PS–have you gotten any blisters from them yet?
Sorry about your rough run! Couldn’t hurt to the shoes without orthotics for at least one run!
DITCH em!
Julia
http://www.britbride.com
Are the orthotics customized specifically for running? I wonder if walking in them would help break them in without the stabby foot pain that running causes. Marathons are supposed to feel unattainable, that’s why it’s so sweet to cross the finish line 🙂 You can dooooo it!!!
You can do it Brie!
I would give them another week. But I’d wear them ALL the time. I know the suit/dress with sneaker look is very Working Girl and city commuter-ish, but really break them in maybe for a week all day and see what happens?
De-lurking now! I would agree to not give up on them yet. As a physical therapist, I know about the importance of slowly breaking orthotics in. I think I remember when you first got your orthotics and you had every intention to break them in slowly, but then one day you decided to just run in them. Trying to run in new shoes and orthotics that haven’t been broken in properly could just be a hurt-y combination for you…
I tell my patients to wear the orthotics one hour the first day, two hours the second day, three hours the third day, up until you can wear them comfortably for 8 hours a day BEFORE you even start running in them. I don’t think you need to start at 1 hour a day since you have been wearing them… maybe start at 3-4 hours a day now, just doing everyday things, not while exercising. I know it SUCKS having to do that… when I first started wearing orthotics, i just wanted to go go go to see if they were going to help and they HURT! So I stepped back, broke them in slowly with an ungodly amount of patience, and they felt better. I’m not saying that will be what happens for you, but I think it’s a good starting point and I definitely don’t think you should give up on them yet.
Honestly, if I were you, I would head back to the doctor. Something is not right. I had to get orthotics too (only three weeks before I ran my marathon last fall), and although they were weird at first, they helped tremendously almost right away. My guess is that they might not be the solution to your problems…I would try for a second opinion.
Hang in there–you WILL get to run your marathon, you just gotta get the kinks worked out first!