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Are flat feet not for Triathlon?
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 2015-04-09 5:59 PM |
 8 |  Subject: Are flat feet not for Triathlon?Hi, everyone. I just got back from Orthopedic for my ankle sprain(first time). I exprained to a doc that I had started training for my very first Triathlon this summer which I wanted to try for long time. Then, he said to me that my feet aren't for Tri. I was very disappointed what he said... I used to be a former competitive swimmer and grew up as very active person till now. I never had any problem running and never heard anyone said I have flat feet for 36 years. So, I got to ask people who are having flat feet if there are any problem doing running while Tri race. Thanks! |
| 2015-04-09 6:26 PM in reply to: Ruby14 |
Master 2855     Kailua, Hawaii | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? I have poor arches...flat feet...hasn't stopped me ! I'd see another orthopedic Dr that is more sports centric... |
| 2015-04-09 6:31 PM in reply to: Ruby14 |
Official BT Coach 18500  Indianapolis, Indiana Gold member | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? Good thing your orthopod was standing up or else you wouldn't have heard him because he was talking out his A$$. I pretty much discount anything a doctor says regarding sports related medicine unless it comes from a Sports Med Doc. Many of the general practitioners out there are just not that well versed in athletic issues. I also have flat feet. Another term for it is over-pronation. You can get stability shoes that will help to offset the problem. I have a pair of both Brooks Adrenaline and Brooks Beast. Go to a QUALITY running store - not a sporting goods store - a running store. They will be able to do a gait analysis and recommend the proper shoes. |
| 2015-04-09 6:59 PM in reply to: Ruby14 |
New user 44 San Antonio, Texas | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? I have had arch problems for many years. I think it is a result of carrying heavy loads over long distances while in the Army. The fix: the ortho office had insert made that were molded to my feet. I swapped them out between my running shoes and boots and suffered very little pain. |
| 2015-04-09 7:10 PM in reply to: 0 |
Master 8247 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? No worries. I've always had flat feet and they haven't gotten less flat with 35 years of running and aging. Had a bout with plantar fasciitis in my teens that was blamed on them, but after some deep tissue massage it's never been a major issue again. In fact, the only serious "running injuries" I've had since then have been from tripping over my own feet....not because they're flat, but because I'm clumsy. If you do develop any foot problems, inserts, exercises, or massage might help, but I don't think it's inevitable just because of flat feet. I don't wear any special inserts or motion control shoes or anything. Have also had a doctor tell me I was too lean for long course tri, but I have never had any problems training or racing with "bonking" or whatever. I may not look very muscular, but I'm great at eating on the bike and "refueling" after training and races is probably my best event! A lot of doctors, outside of those who are athletes themselves or work with a lot of athletes, know ZERO about endurance sports. I wouldn't be too concerned about someone telling me my body wasn't suited for running or tri, unless maybe it was a cardiologist (and even then, I'd want a second opinion, and some really convincing data and explanations). Edited by Hot Runner 2015-04-09 7:13 PM |
| 2015-04-09 7:09 PM in reply to: #5107098 |
| 85 | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? What do they call the last graduate of the class from med school... Doctor. I have flat feet and seem to do just fine. It may take a little more planning than a neutral runner, but not a hassle. Don't sweat it  |
| 2015-04-09 9:00 PM in reply to: Ruby14 |
Extreme Veteran 856 Detroit, Michigan | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? I also have very flat feet. I used to wear orthotics in my shoes but I found they were more trouble than they were worth. I also run in Brooks Adrenalines, but yes, please get fitted at a running store if you haven't already. Flat feet CAN cause problems up the chain of your legs, since your knees and hips might be thrown out of alignment, but I've found that as long as I keep my quads and hips strong I'm not bothered too badly. |
| 2015-04-09 10:00 PM in reply to: #5107098 |
| 8 | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? Thank you all for the feedbacks. As some people mentioned, I'll stop by local better shoe store and will get right shoes(and definitely will try Asics ones too.) Your comments were very helpful for me as a newbie. Thanks again! |
| 2015-04-10 7:04 AM in reply to: Ruby14 |
Member 1748 Exton, PA | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? Originally posted by Ruby14 Thank you all for the feedbacks. As some people mentioned, I'll stop by local better shoe store and will get right shoes(and definitely will try Asics ones too.) Your comments were very helpful for me as a newbie. Thanks again! My feet are flat as a board and have been for at least 30 years(noticed it in high school) has not stopped me from doing tri's the last 8 years. I started with running shoes that had good structure, however I've experimented and the last 4 years I've been running with minimalist( <-- is that right) shoes. |
| 2015-04-10 7:12 AM in reply to: mike761 |
Master 8247 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? Same here. Not sure my shoes are minimalist, but I do a lot of my long runs in Saucony Kinvaras, which are pretty neutral and lightweight shoes. If anything, my feet feel better in those than shoes with more support. I think the key is just keeping up with stretching, targeted strength work etc. for the entire kinetic chain involved in running--probably a good idea for anyone but maybe more important for flat-footed types. I've been told so many times by so-called "experts" that I need certain kinds of (usually expensive) shoes that I've lost count. Most (shoes with lots of arch support or motion control) have been counterproductive, causing issues (mainly tightness in hips and back, sore knees) that I didn't have with the neutral, mid-range shoes I prefer. In the end, it is your body, not the "experts'" and if the shoe feels good, wear it. |
| 2015-04-10 7:45 AM in reply to: Hot Runner |
Extreme Veteran 959 Greenwood, South Carolina | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? I have Fred Flintstone flat feet and hasn't stopped me. Doctors know medicine but may not know running, biking and swimming. I had some knee surgery ten years ago and the doctor told me not to run anymore. I was not a runner but played softball at the time. I quit playing softball and gained weight each year. I was getting fat because I was using the excuse that I couldn't run. I was able to loose the weight (50 pounds) and took up Triathlons in 2010 and been running since with no issues. No doctor understands your body as well as you do. You know the limitations and how far you can push yourself. |
| 2015-04-10 7:47 AM in reply to: Hot Runner |
Veteran 178 , New York | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? Similar boat to Hot Runner. I even remember going to a training camp for track/xc in high school where I was told that my feet were too flat to run after doing a foot imprint test (I have literally no arch at all). In high school I ran with motion control shoes and had all sorts of injuries like shin splints, achilles tendonitis...etc. Now I run in minimalist shoes, with my most cushioned being Kinvaras and have been injury free despite some pretty high training milage compared to previous years. |
| 2015-04-10 10:19 AM in reply to: Ruby14 |
| 1502 Katy, Texas | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? There are three D's that every runner has to be very careful of, or they will sideline you: 1. Drivers 2. Doctors 3. Dogs Stick to sports medicine doctors or doctors that are athletes themselves. |
| 2015-04-10 2:11 PM in reply to: #5107130 |
| Member 110 | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? B.S. I was having bad knee pain while running for long time, then went to a sports med orthopedist and it took him about 5 mins to tell me I have flat feet. Went to a sports therapist (on his recommendation), who told me I simply needed to use orthotics because I have no arches. Bam! I'm back racing. Go see a sports med specialist and follow it up with a visit to a recommended sports therapist. |
| 2015-04-10 2:12 PM in reply to: #5107274 |
| Member 110 | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? Oh, and the shoes that I would recommend are the Brooks Pure Flow 2. I use the Dr. Scholl's Athlete/Sport insert and I'm good to go. Good luck! |
| 2015-04-10 6:08 PM in reply to: ballisticmonkey3 |
| 87 | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? Time to see another doctor |
| 2015-04-12 7:07 PM in reply to: Ruby14 |
| 18 Vancouver, British Columbia | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? I got flat feet, too. Just get custom orthodics and you will be fine. Also, get a new doctor. |
| 2015-04-12 8:14 PM in reply to: Ruby14 |
| 57 | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? I have fallen arches (I have arches, but when running the arches collapse...so essentially I have flat feet when I'm moving). I've had tons of injury problems over the years related to them, including getting PF in both feet and a stress fracture in the left foot all at the same time. The one thing that has kept me running after lots of PT and healing is custom orthotic inserts in the most maxxed out stability shoes (currently Asics Gel Kayano's). You'll have to figure out if more - or less - shoe is for you, but I say your doctor is talking pish-posh. |
| 2015-04-13 9:23 PM in reply to: ginger1981 |
| Member 8 | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? Another flat footer here. I'm brand new to Tri (haven't ever raced), but - I spent time in an ortho when I was younger. Custom orthodics, inserts, braces even. Also played 17 years of soccer, 16 of baseball, ran cross country, 9 martial arts, and was in the military. Flat feet doesn't 'mean' anything other than...you have flat feet. |
| 2015-04-14 6:20 AM in reply to: ballisticmonkey3 |
Master 1718 Loughborough, England | Subject: RE: Are flat feet not for Triathlon? I'm flat footed and when recieving treatment for a foot injury was told I should probably not run again. Since then I have completed 10Ks, 1/2 marathons and an IM. In the past I have taken advice from a number of different professionals about wearing arch supporting shoes or insoles but constantly suffered from lower leg injuries. Since then I have used neutral running shoes and have had far fewer problems. My theory is that I have been walking/running without support since I was less than a year old. To try and change that now is always going to cause problems, even if my natural gait is not perfect (by whoevers standards). |
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