Since beginning to workout my feet have been giving me problem. The outside of my feet begin to burn and sting within a few minutes of moving, so I decided it was probably time for new shoes. Ideally, a good rule of thumb is new running/workout shoes every 3 months or so. In that case, I am WAY overdue.
I figured that since I was having foot pain I should find a place who specialized in helping you find shoes rather than somewhere who just runs to the back for sizes. A friend of mine suggested I try a place called "Soul or Sole". You go in-- they watch you walk and run and determine what shoes you need.
Just an aside... I could go broke in this store. I LOVE workout shoes. I couldn't possibly be the only girl would want a different color to match every outfit... could I?
Today, I learned a few things. First off, my feet were measured... low and behold-- my right foot is 1 FULL SIZE bigger than my left foot. Not slightly bigger or a half size bigger, 1 FULL SIZE. I mean, COME ON, SERIOUSLY!? As if I didn't already have enough quirks.
And I mean, okay, having two different sizes isn't the end of the world, except that my feet are big. I have HUGE feet. I wear a size 12 in women's (thanks to my stupid quirky right foot.) And it's REALLY hard to find shoes in my size. Most places carry a 10, at biggest. Sometimes they have 11s, and 12... GOOD LUCK.
**sigh**
The next thing I learned is that I am a forefoot runner, which is apparently rare, but also a very good thing. HOWEVER, being a forefoot runner means that instead of running heel-toe, I run toe-heel. Cool, something "different" that is a good thing. "Good form". Yay me! Apparently training for that 1/2 marathons paid off.
Anyhow, since being a forefoot runner is rare I need a special shoe. Newtons (that's the brand) specialize in shoes that pad the front of the foot to absorb impact. However, this type isn't a shoe you want to workout in, so until I start really running again I decided to go with a neutral shoe.
The last thing I learned is that, while I am very flat footed, I do not, in fact, pronate (which is basically when the ankle rolls inward when you walk/run). I also learned that since I don't pronate, I don't need much arch support and too much arch could cause me to under-pronate (ankles rolling out). Upon looking at the shoes I have, we found that they are highly supported and because of that I was under-pronating which is [probably] causing the pain in my feet.
Ohhh the things you can learn at a shoe store!
I found the perfect pair of lime green and neon pink (or raspberry according to the box) ASCICS (my shoe of choice). And I was IN LOVE... I ended up not getting shoes. Go ahead, I'll wait while you put on your surprised face...
I went to at least a half dozen other stores looking for shoes. And did they have my size in a shoe I really wanted? NO! They did not. Figures. The only issue now, is that I am stuck of finding a similar pair to the pink and green asics I found (HEY, pink goes good with green!)-- something bright colored. I found a hot pink and yellow pair... but I wasn't sold yet... I guess I better get to shopping online for some bright new workout shoes.
Always, On the Weigh Down.
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