Well hello there! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Two weeks away from blogging is the longest break I think I have ever taken since starting my blog almost three years ago. I think this break came at a good time, as I was also taking a break from running and was busy with work and life stuff. To ease my way back into this, I thought I would give an update on my foot (which had started hurting around the last time I posted) and share the workouts I did over the past two weeks. They were very minimal but again, it was probably for the best when I was already busy, tired, and stressed!
So a few weeks ago I had some pain in the inner arch area of my foot after a run. I decided to take a few days off from running, and focused on stretching my calves, rolling my foot, and wore KT Tape. Over the first few days I thought it was getting better, but went to see my chiropractor anyway. He did some soft tissue work and mobilizations, and initially it felt much better. He said it didn’t seem like plantar fasciitis and may have been due to the joint being slightly jammed, and said it was ok to run. However, the next day it still didn’t feel great and I wasn’t in the mood to risk setting myself back further. 
So I took more time off running, and between all this I was traveling for work and went to my friend’s wedding in NY. The day of the wedding my foot really hurt the second I put on heels. They were only about an inch high, but enough to aggravate things. I was a bridesmaid and we were wearing long dresses which I had hemmed to fit with the shoes, so I didn’t really have a choice. After pictures were over I changed into flip flops (not ideal but better than heels) and danced the night away even though my foot hurt the whole time.
So by the time I got home the next day it was hurting really badly, especially when I walked around barefoot on hard floors. I considered getting an x-ray or seeing a podiatrist. By Monday though, it had improved, so instead I decided to return to my chiropractor. He still didn’t think it was anything serious but we did talk about my running shoes, which I had been wearing around as much as possible.
For the past few years I have worn the Brooks Pureflows, Cadences, and Connects. The models have changed over the years and I never loved the updates. I went up in size due to my toe always getting banged up, but continued to have issues. My chiropractor talked to me about how something like that can cause not only foot problems but also issues up the chain. So off I went to Charm City Run to see if they could help me find something better.
We focused on finding a shoe with a wider toe box, and long story short, I ended up with the Brooks Launch. My second choice was the Saucony Kinvara which I may try another time. One thing that was interesting was I was told I have a neutral foot (which is what I thought, and that was why I had started wearing the Pureflows), but wearing the Pure Cadences that are a supportive shoe can actually cause problems because they push my foot out and my toes have to grip to pull my foot back in. I had thought a little more support would be better for long runs, but apparently not!
So after a few more days without running my foot felt progressively better, and I was able to get in some pain-free runs on Friday and Saturday. It will definitely be something I continue to monitor, but hopefully the new shoes plus a few weeks of rest helped the issue.
Here is a quick summary of my workouts over the past few weeks, from what I can remember…
Monday 6/13: Body Pump On Demand
Tuesday 6/14: CX WORX On Demand
Wednesday 6/15: Some kind of strength training/core work
Thursday 6/16: 45 minutes elliptical at a hotel gym, plus upper body strength training
Friday 6/17: 45 minutes elliptical at a hotel gym, plus lower body strength training
Saturday 6/18: Rest
Sunday 6/19: Rest
Monday 6/20: Rest
Tuesday 6/21: CX WORX On Demand
Wednesday 6/22: 20 minute walk
Thursday 6/23: Rest
Friday 6/24: 3.3 miles plus core work
Saturday 6/25: 5 miles plus core work
Sunday 6/26: Rest
Hopefully I can get back to a regular schedule this week! It was nice to take a break, but I am ready to get back to a routine and enjoy some of the summer weather we have been having!
I’m planning to do my best to catch up on other blogs this week (I have been reading most of them even though I haven’t been commenting) and I’ll be back in a few days to share what else I have been up to since I have been gone!
Thanks to Holly and Tricia for hosting the Weekly Wrap!
What have I missed over the past 2 weeks?
How do you decide which types of running shoes to wear?
When was the last time you took a few weeks off from running and/or blogging?
It’s a bummer that the shoes you’ve been used to no longer are a fit (like that pun?) but I felt the same way with the Pure line, i didn’t like any of the updates after the 2nd season of them. The newest are super narrow too. But i have tried the Launch & love them (they might be my next purchase) and the Kinvaras have been a favorite of mine for the last 3 years – their updates have been subtle and awesome each time.
I have heard so many good things about the Kinvaras! Now that I have tried them on and done a test run in them I feel better about buying them online at some point. Glad to know that the updates aren’t too drastic!
Oh man, painful feet + heels sounds like such a frustrating combination. You’re a champ (and a great friend) for smiling through the pain! So glad to hear your last couple of runs have been pain free!!
I wasn’t about to not have fun just because my feet wanted to be difficult:) When I think back on the wedding I will remember having fun, not the achy feet (hopefully!)
Ah the arch in my right foot has been a little sore after runs as well. I ended up getting new shoes (not due to that, I just had a gift card to use), and after a run in those, my foot felt fine. I’m wondering if my normal shoes may not be great for my feet either. Definitely something to think about. Glad you’re back! 🙂
That is great that your new shoes feel better! Maybe your other ones were just old and needed to be replaced? But either way, I am glad your foot feels better!
Fingers crossed your foot is on the mend! Trust me girl, I know how it all feels! I actually almost went with the Launch but ended up with the Saucony Triumph ISO 2’s. Both have a wide toe box which I definitely need–I think my Nike shoes were too narrow. I was thinking I’d need a support shoe for longer runs, but what I found out I need is still a neutral shoe with higher cushioning. I wouldn’t be surprised if those support shoes caused the foot issues for you since they can alter your gait. So happy you’re feeling better!
I was surprised to learn about the support shoes! The Launch has more cushioning than I am used to but I think its good for now as I am easing back into running. I might try something neutral with less cushioning once I am back to 100%.
So good to have you back, Lisa! I’m so happy to hear that your foot is feeling better as well.
I tried on the Launches also when Brooks launched the newest Pure versions, and they felt good but I choose the Kinvaras for the lower drop. It sounds like they will work out well for you! Plus the color is adorable.
I figured that having a little bit more heel/toe drop was better for right now as I am easing back into running, but typically I prefer the lower drop so I would love to try the Kinvaras at some point! And now that I have tried them on and done a test run in them I can just buy them online- hopefully when they go on sale!
Sore paws really seem to be the theme for a lot of us lately! To add to my PF misery, last night I fell and landed on a rock–right on my heel. Today I’m sore and can’t bear weight on it. Come on man!
Oh no! That sounds so terrible, and as someone who also has foot issues I feel like my heels are hyper-sensitive lately. Even if I step too hard on the hardwood floors in my house I feel it a bit. I hope it feels better quickly!
This is why I hate it when shoe companies change their models. I know when I’m ready to look for new shoes, the Asics GT 2000s won’t be a good fit because the reviews are bad. The 3’s I have are great, but the 4’s changed again. After doing research, I know what models are comparable for Brooks, Saucony, Mizuno, and New Balance. My LRS doesn’t have the NB model, but we have a NB store one town north.
The changing models do make it difficult! Hope you can find something that works for you!
Sorry to hear about your foot. I had a pair of Brooks pure flow and I thought they were very narrow as well. So I switched to the Brooks Launch and I have been very happy with them. Glad to see you back to the blog, heck I thought you may have been on vacation.
Glad to hear you prefer the launch over the Flows too! So far I like them alot!
I took a long weekend off from blogging during my vacation in Maine in May, and I anticipate I’ll take another this year around the December holidays after the marathon is over and I’m getting lots done in other areas of my life.
Sorry to hear about your foot – my knee has been bothering me a bit as I begin marathon training and I’m really looking at all my gear to see what the culprit could be!
Its nice to take time off from blogging once in awhile!
I hope that your knee clears up and doesn’t turn into anything major!
Welcome back! So sorry you have been dealing with foot issues- time off was smart! When you mentioned finding a shoe with a wider toe box..have you heard of Altra? They are zero drop shoes and have really wide toe boxes. I have been running in them exclusively for the past few months and I LOVE them!
I actually have a pair of altras in my closet! I got them over a year ago but then got injured before I could start wearing them, and didnt want to wear them when I was coming back. I want to try them, but I have been nervous to transition to zero drop. It never seems to be a good time. Maybe once my foot is back to 100% I will test them out slowly. Glad to hear you like them so much!
I’m glad you got some pain free runs in! I have been doing minimal running these past two weeks due to PF. It has been gone but I don’t want it to creep back so I am treading cautiously! It sucks, of course.
Foot injuries are so difficult! Even though I feel like its better I still notice “something”, and I’m sure it doesn’t help that I have to walk around in work shoes during the day. Hope your PF is gone for good!
Welcome back! Everybody is getting married!! this is the third wedding I hear about! And nobody is saving me any cake! I need to find single friends quick! I need some wedding cake in my life!
I am glad to hear your foot is feeling better, they are so essential and it is very difficult to find a good pair!
Thanks!
I had 2 weddings this spring, but no more for the next few months!
Isn’t if funny how a pair of shoes can wreak havoc on your running!!! I do think it’s a great thing to get looked at every once in awhile even if your not having problems. I was fitted for a full support when I started but then got fitted again and they moved me to less support and I can even get away with neutral most runs. I’m struggling with regular blogging too, but I have gotten in some variety in my workouts the past 2 weeks!
I agree that its a good idea to get fitted every once in awhile- especially as shoe models change! I definitely think my gait has changed over the years I have been running.
I hope the new shoes help! I keep hearing how shoes can cause injuries. I initially got fitted at a running store and wear the same model they picked for me. I haven’t had any problems after 3years of wearing the same shoe, but now I’m wondering if I should get fitted again just in case!
I think its good to get fitted every few years, but if you haven’t had any problems then you may be ok! I know that as my shoes got updated and the models changed that my feet no longer worked in the shoes I liked, sadly.
It is definitely SO important to find the right shoe! I’m glad you worked out those shoes weren’t working for you before you ended up with a horrible injury – hopefully the new shoes help!
When I find the right shoes, I tend to buy two pairs, haha 😛 Or three if we’re in the US and I know we won’t be back for a while as they’re SO much cheaper than Australia!
Interesting that the shoes are cheaper here than in Australia! I tend to buy mine online, so I try to wait until they go on sale:)
so this just popped up now from yesterday in my feed! I am glad your foot is starting to feel a bit better. so frustrating! I can’t wait for you to come back to visit so we can meet for lunch again! running shoes are so tough sometimes, I hate when I have to find a new shoe or figure out where a problem is. I have a pair of kinvaras, definitely a good toe box! I just can’t run in them, too flat for me.
I came back to blogging and had so many issues! I saw that my post didnt show up on bloglovin until I think Monday night, and I also was no longer automatically sharing to Facebook and twitter.
Since I am used to running in pretty flat shoes I think kinvaras would be good, so I thinking eventually I will get those so I have something to rotate with.
I’m happy to hear that your foot is calming down! They were right about the Cadence’s, it probably wouldn’t be a problem if you were just running a few miles in them, but wearing them on a long run is just a lot of time on your feet! I love my Brooks Launch, hopefully you do too! Have a great week!
So far I really like them! And I think wearing the cadences all the time while my foot was healing wasn’t helping either!
Welcome back, chief! I’m sorry that you have been dealing with foot issues–I’m having a little bit of a foot issue myself, it just started Sunday night and for no reason. I think I am going to wear my boot (from last year) today and give it a rest. I’m going to look pretty badass at work, let me tell you.
Oh no, I hope that it turns out to be nothing. I guess it’s good that you have a boot to wear at times like these? I’m sure everyone at work will love the look!
Sorry to hear about your foot issues but hopefully your new shoes will help!
Thanks!
The wrong pair of shoes (Brooks Ravenna) caused major problems with my Achilles a few years ago. Live and learn. It was the shoe recommended by the running store too. It’s scary how innocently that can happen. It’s nice to take a break. I find blogging is much harder in the summer. There is so much going on and I’d rather be outside, not in front of a computer screen. I hope your foot continues to improve. Thanks for linking with us Lisa!
It’s so interesting how much a shoe can affect our form. I have been wearing these shoes for awhile so its likely not the only cause of my problem, but I figure it could be a factor.
Definitely agree about blogging in the summer! There are so many other things going on its nice to step away from the screen as much as possible.
i have the brooks launch and love them because of the wider toe box. i had to switch out of mizunos for a similar reason as you switching out of your old shoes which was sad because i liked the mizunos but runners gotta do whats right for our feet! glad to see your back to posting again!
Glad to hear you like the Launch too!
I got a pair of Triumph ISO 2’s recently to move on from my 1’s and I’m having similar issues! I also wore heels to work one day and then the new shoes and have been having some lingering arch pain since then. It seems to resolve when I go back to my old shoes which sucks because I just got the new ones and the 1’s are going extinct! Glad to hear yours wasn’t PF though, I was getting a little nervous but seriously why do shoe companies have to change all the time?
Its so frustrating when the models changed and they no longer work for us!I hope you can find some new shoes that work for you.
I’m a runner as well so I can totally relate to having foot pain every once in a while. It’s good that you took preventive measures by taking a break from running and seeing the chiropractor. I see a podiatrist when my foot acts up and then usually helps a lot. Thanks for sharing!
I used to have problems with my bunions (still do but now lessened). Researched on it and had a bunch of answers – one even suggested surgery. But sometimes, you gotta try some simple remedies. I started with what you also did which was get shoes with wider toes and really helped a lot! Now I always buy shoes where my feet can “breathe” considerably. I feel you here.