General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Plantar and shoe inserts Rss Feed  
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2013-11-04 3:15 PM

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Subject: Plantar and shoe inserts
After 20 years of being a runner, I finally got my first case of plantar. About mid summer I decided to stop running and focus just on biking in hopes of the plantar healing. So for almost 4 months I have not run. I feel as if I'm over it. I also feel like cycling helped me get over it because I feel like my foot has strengthened from cycling without the constant pounding that running puts on it.

Now that I feel like I'm ready to start running again, I'm looking for suggestions on precautions I should take. Obviously I would ease into the running and build mileage slowly. My goal is to build back up to half iron distance. I have 3 HIM's penciled into next season's schedule. I ran in Asics's (GT 2160's and 2170's) for the past 3 years and never had a problem. My planter issue came when I switched to New Balance (880's) for about 3 months. I switched back to Asics but it was too late and the damage was done.

What kind of things have you folks tried to prevent plantar from coming back and how did it work for you? Are the inserts worth the money?

PS- On a side note, I never understood why running shoe stores charged so much for the "custom" inserts. It seems to me that if they only charged $20 or $30 for them, everyone would buy them. My local store charges $90 for the inserts! They "fit" everyone for them and just throw them out when a customer doesn't buy them. I can't imagine there is more than $15 worth of overhead in the inserts.


2013-11-04 3:36 PM
in reply to: Wojo14

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Subject: RE: Plantar and shoe inserts
Before getting inserts you need to figure out why you got PF - typically its either because you have a flat foot and over-pronated tearing the PF
or because you have very high arches and the PF tore as your foot collapsed.

For my rally high arches I like the "RX Sorbo Ultra Orthoic High Arch Insole" - they about $35-$50, but as a long time sufferer its worth the few extra bucks.

Also make sure to stretch your calves loads. A stretchy calf will absorb some of the impacts that normaly get transferred to the PF.

MG


2013-11-05 1:25 AM
in reply to: mgalanter

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Subject: RE: Plantar and shoe inserts
I missed about 3 months of running earlier this year due to PF. During that time I went through about 2 months of fisio that helped a lot. Following that, the fisio person instructed me to do 9 consecutive days of combined walk run. The first 3 days were 15 minutes walking, 5 minutes slow jog. The next 3 days 10 and 10, and the last 3 days 5 minutes walking + 15 minute run. Following the 9 days it would be clear if I was ready to go or not. In my case the foot held up well and was cleared to proceed with maximum 30 minute runs no more than 3X per week. That had to be combined with LOTS of stretching and ice on the foot and ankle following the runs and/or as needed. It went well and following that month I was cleared to proceed as normal. Good luck...
2013-11-05 7:40 AM
in reply to: gr33n

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Subject: RE: Plantar and shoe inserts
I guess I should have also included that I am a heal striker. I've been wondering if trying to switch to a mid strike or toe strike would help. Thanks for the input. I'm going to try to inserts as well as the walk run plan.
2013-11-05 11:03 AM
in reply to: Wojo14

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Subject: RE: Plantar and shoe inserts

I had also run for 20 years with no foot or PF issues, and got PF a year ago.  I tried a few different things including complete rest for 6 weeks which did NOT help me.  What ended up helping the most was very consistent running--6 or 7 days a week.  I also tried a very inexpensive gel heel cup that I used for most runs that made my feet feel better, though not sure if it directly helped my PF. 

I don't even remember what I got, but it was about $12 and looked like this:

Good luck to you :)  It's a tough injury to get on top of.

2013-11-05 11:49 AM
in reply to: switch

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Subject: RE: Plantar and shoe inserts

I had a very run of the mill case of PF that I got rid of through rest, wearing a night boot, and ART from my chiropractor.  He helped me the most by giving me some stretching techniques.  I also tried to remember to ice my foot after a run (the old water bottle in the freezer, also helped stretch it).

Assuming your PF was caused just by normal overuse, and not some weird foot issue, I wouldn't bother with the insert.    What you're trying to avoid (I hope I understand this correctly) is allow the plantar fascia to heal in a contracted position, which then tears with use.

The way to avoid this is to stretch, stretch, stretch.  I have developed a habit of flexing my ankles routinely when I am seated, but I started with 20 second stretches pulling my foot back (GENTLY), several times a day.  I make sure to do this after running, especially.  I also try to make sure my feet aren't forced into a pointed position when sleeping because of too tight covers.  

 



2013-11-05 3:53 PM
in reply to: Wojo14

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Subject: RE: Plantar and shoe inserts
I wanted to share with you my story of plantar fasciitis. I had it 4 years ago in both feet as I was running. My case was very painful since I started to treat it too late. I stopped running for a few weeks and in order to stay fit I started swimming and riding bicycle, an idea I had from an ironman coach. I used to tape my foot every day and as my pain started to get better I started to strengthen my foot muscles. I had a good custom made orthotics and a few prefabricated ones and non of them did the job for me, though I have a friend who would not take one step without his orthotics. Actually there is also a scientific research concluding there is no advantage in custom over prefabricated orthotics (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10229276/).
I slowly started to run again. You can read a good article here about running and plantar fasciitis (http://www.plantar-fasciitis-elrofeet.com/Plantar_Fasciitis_Running.html). When I was back in a good running shape I was already swimming and riding well and finally decided to train for my first triathlon.
It didn't all happen in one day. I am talking about years.
Today I am an experienced triathlete with 5 Olympic distance triathlons in my record. I can say that Plantar fasciitis have made me a triathlete.
Keep on going and good luck.
2013-11-07 7:57 AM
in reply to: Ezrida

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Subject: RE: Plantar and shoe inserts
Thanks for the input. I'm still scratching my head as to why it happened. Like I said before, I've been a runner for 20 years (triathlete for about 7) and it's never happened to me before. I've trained for every distance up to IM's and never had an issue. I'm stumped as to why it happened this summer when I was not really pushing myself. I had only planned on running 1 or 2 sprints this year and then doing the B2B as a relay (bike portion). Maybe it's because I wasn't doing enough? Who knows.

I'm going to try the run/walk plan. I've bought some new ortho's and I'm looking to start the run/walk plan in the next few days. I'm also going to stretch it every chance I get. Thanks again BT'ers!
2013-11-09 7:23 PM
in reply to: BikerGrrrl

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Subject: RE: Plantar and shoe inserts
Originally posted by BikerGrrrl

I had a very run of the mill case of PF that I got rid of through rest, wearing a night boot, and ART from my chiropractor.  He helped me the most by giving me some stretching techniques.  I also tried to remember to ice my foot after a run (the old water bottle in the freezer, also helped stretch it).assuming your PF was caused just by normal overuse, and not some weird foot issue, I wouldn't bother with the insert.    What you're trying to avoid (I hope I understand this correctly) is allow the plantar fascia to heal in a contracted position, which then tears with use.The way to avoid this is to stretch, stretch, stretch.  I have developed a habit of flexing my ankles routinely when I am seated, but I started with 20 second stretches pulling my foot back (GENTLY), several times a day.  I make sure to do this after running, especially.  I also try to make sure my feet aren't forced into a pointed position when sleeping because of too tight covers.  



I second this as it all worked for me, especially the boot initially and the ART being the biggest help!!! Also I got custom orthotics for shoes
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