I saw this quote on Pinterest this week and it kind of stuck with me. “When Nothing Goes Right, Go Left”. You know that feeling when nothing seems to go right? Yea, that seems to be me and running lately. If it’s not one thing it’s something else. Let’s back up to where I left off with the blister last week.
Blister Update
I didn’t run or work out at all last weekend for fear or making the blister worse. By Tuesday is looked like it was healed and was feeling much better. I taped it up and ran with my orthotics in my Pure Flows. I must have aggravated it slightly, because on Wednesday as soon as I put on my shoes I could feel it again. Instead I tried wearing my Altra Provisions (no orthotics) and they felt ok.
Thursday was a strength training day and I didn’t run. Friday I rode the bike wearing Pure Flows (no orthotics). For some reason all day Friday my heel was bothering me again. I must have aggravated the area at some point without realizing it. So while it appeared to be doing much better, it was actually not feeling great. All week the area was really tight first thing in the morning because as the new skin was forming over night it would then have to stretch out as I started walking around. Ugh.
So on Saturday I tried on every pair of running shoes I own. I tried putting the orthotics in all my neutral shoes but knew my heel would not be happy. So I ended up doing my run in my Pure Flows. I felt great for most of the run, until the end when my left quad felt tight. No big deal, right? Well a few hours after my run it was still tight plus my ankle got tight. It all settled down by the next day but obviously those types of problems are NOT good for someone who has been injured for a year.
Next steps with the Orthotics
It’s frustrating that I really want to give the orthotics a try to see if they work but I can’t wear them because of my heel. I have a follow-up appointment with my podiatrist on July 11th so if they are still giving me problems they may need to be adjusted. (Which could take another 3 months….)
My other thought is to take the orthotics to a running shoe store and see what they think. Maybe there is a different shoe that will work better with them. The neutral shoes I have are the Brooks Launch, Brooks Pure Flow, and Altra Intuition. I also have 2 pairs of shoes with some stability that I wouldn’t wear with the orthotics (Brooks Ravenna and Altra Provisions). I really want to wear them with a shoe with a low heel drop since the orthotics add a bit of height on their own.
Here is a quick rundown of the week since that intro was so long:
Monday: Strength training Week 4 Day 1, soft tissue work
Tuesday: 3.1 mile run, soft tissue work, dynamic mobility
Wednesday: 3 mile run, soft tissue work, stability exercises
Thursday: Strength training Week 4 Day 2, soft tissue work
Friday: 30 minutes on spin bike, stability exercises, static mobility
Saturday: 4.5 mile run, soft tissue work, dynamic and static mobility
Sunday: Rest
It’s a new week, and a new month. Eventually I will get this all figured out.
[Tweet “”When nothing goes right, go left”. This is my motto lately as I keep struggling with my running! @milebymilerun”]
Have you ever felt like nothing was going right?
Anyone else struggle with finding the right running shoes as much as me?
Linking up with Holly , Tricia, and Kim for the Weekly Wrap!
oh boy. I wish I had something useful to say here! ugh. maybe the blister happened because of the orthotics since it positions your foot differently? that’s my new thought. have you tried the energy boosts yet? you know I will always push those since they are my favorite now for years and so comfortable. hope this week goes better for you!
Yea I definitely think its the orthotics. I haven’t tried the energy boosts but I think when I looked they have a higher heel drop. The orthotics already add so much height that I would like to find something really low, but not sure if that will be possible. Ill keep them in mind if I go to the running store!
I have had the hardest time finding the right running shoes! I can’t tell you how many times I have switched shoes… I have very narrow feet with somewhat high arches. Currently I’m rotating between mizuno wave riders and asics gt1000s. I made the mistake of trying brooks ravennas last year and aggravated my knee pretty bad when I forced a four mile run 🙁 needless to say those shoes were returned!
It’s so hard to find good shoes! Im glad you found some that work for you!
Oh man sounds like it has been a struggle. Sorry to hear you have been having such a hard time figuring this out.
Fortunately I have not had any of these issues so I can not offer any advice. Something is bound to go right soon:)
Thanks! It’s frustrating, but I’ll figure it out eventually.
That kind of sucks that you are still struggling with the orthotics. Maybe going to the running store and trying a bunch of shoes will help you find the right one. I would have thought they would have molded them to your shoe when you got them. Good luck! Yes we all those weeks where we feel like that quote
They felt ok when they put them in my shoes, and even for a few weeks, until I started running more. And the ones I got weren’t molded- they scanned my foot with some sort of fancy iPad!
Ugh so sorry to hear about all of these challenges. Hopefully once you figure it out once and for all, all of the pieces will fall into place. Hopefully the running store can help!
Thanks! I’m thinking I’ll head there next weekend if Im still having trouble after a few more days.
Two thoughts: have you tried the Brooks Defyance? I ran in those for years and they have a *titch* more support than the Launch but are not stability shoes. The Mizuno Sayonara is another good shoe without much drop (10 mm) and lastly, the Nike Zoom Elite is an AMAZING shoe. I have run in each with my orthotics with success. I know you are not me, but it might be worth a try. Also, the Newton Kismet is one of the most comfy shoes I’ve ever worn.
I know this is so frustrating, I wish I could help!
Thank you for these suggestions!! I am really intrigued by the Newtons and its good to know you were able to wear them with orthotics. I haven’t tried on a pair of Nikes in like 20 years but I will also keep that one in mind! It sounds like I need to make a list of shoes to try and head to the running store…
I love your new motto! So true sometimes things feel like nothings going to work. I’m so sorry you’re still having problems with your blister. Good luck finding a solution.
Thank you! I know I’ll figure it out eventually, its just taking much longer than I would like!
Ugh – so sorry for the crapfest you have been dealing with! I feel like the image of you looking at your watch could be captioned ‘well crap … ‘ and pretty much say it all.
I have been very lucky with shoes – when I was running ~15-20 miles/week for the first ~23 years, I could wear just about anything and never paid more than $50. Then when I increased my running volume to 50+ miles/week I knew I would need something better … and got the Nike Free with 4mm drop. A year later I moved to the Saucony Kinvara – and while I have tried others and did another stint in Nike Free, ultimately the Saucony works well for me, across 5 different versions.
Good luck and I hope that things work out for your shoes/blisters/orthotics/everything soon!
Thank you! For so long I was happy with the Pure Flows, but I think as they changed their models they stopped working as well for me. I think they are moving back in the right direction, so Im hoping some of the future models will work for me again! Although who knows what I’ll end up doing with the orthotics. I know I need to give them a solid try but right now it feels like they are causing more problems than they are worth!
Ugh – I’m so sorry Lisa! I wish I had some words of wisdom for you but I’ve never had to deal with that type of injury. I hope that you get some answers during your doctor visit next week.
Thank you! I cant believe July 11th is next week already…this summer is flying by!!
WTH is up with those damn feet of yours? My friend Lora is this tiny little thing. 5’2 and weighs around 100lb, but she’s got the flattest feet in the history of the planet and she wears orthotics inside of a high stability shoe. Crazy, eh? It’s what works for her. She tried switching around her shoes but had to keep going back to the heavy shoe (12mm heel drop) plus orthotics. Not sure if that story helps you any, but just stay open-minded and I promise you’ll take off flying soon. <3
Thats so interesting. Ive always felt more comfortable in less of a shoe with a lower drop. Thats part of the reason I was so hesitant about orthotics. I mean, I’ll wear whatever I have to if it means I stop getting hurt….
Not this much! When I did get Superfeet for my shoes, the store watched me run using them in the shoes I had to make sure the inserts they chose were the right fit. Hopefully a running store can help you find the right shoes for your orthotics.
I am thinking that if I can test them in the store and they can watch me run that it would be really helpful!
Love that you’ve come up with a positive mantra for dealing with all of these setbacks. In the end the buildup of challenges will make it that much sweeter when you finally are running pain free. Hopefully you can figure out this blister situation since you’re thisclose to being back to running happy. Have you thought about wearing those blister pads/heel cushions that are sometimes recommended for high heels/uncomfortable shoes? I know it wouldn’t be ideal to have to wear them every day but maybe they can bridge the gap until you see your doctor again.
So I have only had issues in running shoes because luckily I just wear sandals the rest of the time:) But I did find some pads that go inside of running shoes so Ill be trying those this week. Fingers crosses that they help!
Oh my Gosh…how frustrating! Question…have you ever tried moleskin? It might add some “bulk” to the heel/blister issue, but it would also give you some padding (?). I hope you get some solutions on this 😉 (it’s always something, right? LOL)
Yes, actually! So Ive been cutting out a hole in it so it doesnt stick directly on the blister, and I think it helps! Im actually working on a post for tomorrow about blisters and was planning to mention that!
Oh, crap…yes, I have been there with my body before and it’s like the wheels just come off. I hope you can get the orthotics situation figured out. I don’t have any good advice because I had conflicting diagnosis from two docs. One pushed orthotics the other said absolutely not. I am hoping it is just an adjustment period and as soon as your blister heals, you will be back out there getting adjusted to them! I am in the Brooks Launch. I was in a stability shoe but my doc and my PT both say I need neutral. I don’t know that I love the Launch but I am only running like 10 miles per week now so I am staying with them while I get back to my normal mileage post injury. Hang in there, girl.
Isn’t is so frustrating to get conflicting advice? Only podiatrists have told me that I need orthotics. Thats why I hesitated to try them for so long. But when nothing else is working, its worth a shot. I felt the same way about the Launch- they were ok but not my favorite.
I am bummed for you! I do know that frustration with the orthotic.
I have had mine remade and it did help…I now have two pairs I alternate….one is thicker than the other. I mostly wear the thicker pair in Dansko that I wear to work. I run in the streamlined ones. I have pure connects and I have noticed my ankle will feel it if I run too long in them. I only do speed work and short runs usually. I wear Hoka Clifton 3 now and it took forever to adjust to the height but they work amazing! Hoka Hupana (less sole) is also an amazing shoe but it runs long, I had to get a half size smaller which never happens now!! I did get blisters a few times along the way and it was usually my socks. I got blisters wearing asic socks a few times…I have Balega lightweight and smart wool lightweight and never have had an issue with blisters. I also have found my inserts fit well with Topo Athletic Fly lite shoes 😉 I always feel more comfortable in a lower drop with my orthotic…I did try Brooks Ravenna’s and they work to walk in but running just wasn’t as comfortable.
Good luck!! and hang in there.
Intersting…do you wear the orthotics in the Pure Connects? What are you going to do now that they are discontinued? I tried one pair of Hokas and they didnt feel right so I sent them back, but Id be open to trying a different model. I don’t even remember which ones I tried! I am also intrigued by the Topo shoes- I will have to look into those as well! Thanks for sharing!
I’m sorry that your orthotic issues are still ongoing. It definitely does seem that it may be the shoes that aren’t working with the orthotics. I used to wear the Nike Pegasus and the Adidas Supernova Boosts with custom orthotics and they worked, but it seems to be trial and error.
Keep your head up! I hope you find a solution soon!
Thank you! It definitely is trial and error!
Ugh, sorry that heel is still bugging you, hopefully it will be completely healed soon. I wish I had some advice I could give you about shoes and orthotics. I love the motto!
Thank you! I know it will heal soon and I will figure it all out, its just taking much longer than I would like!
Oh man, so sorry to hear about the shoes/orthotics issue. Hopefully you get some good news on your next visit to your podiatrist. How weird that it takes that long to get them adjusted.
It took 3 months to get them the first time, which is why Im not optimistic about the thought of getting them adjusted. But maybe it won’t be too bad!
Well dang, that is so frustrating about finding a good shoe fit!! I didn’t think I’d ever like any shoes other than Newtons, and then my Kinvaras showed up on the radar and I’m in love with both of them. I do like that running stores accept returns because it takes a bit before problems crop up. I hope you find your perfect fit soon. Enough already, right??
I’m still right there with you! I’m trying different shoes as well with my new orthotics in hopes of finding the perfect marriage. I’ve been wearing Newtons for years and love them. I was told that I needed a more structured shoe to house my orthotics, so I bought some Saucony and trained with them for the Utah Valley Half. Never really could run more than 7 to 8 miles without enough discomfort to make me want to change out shoes so I ran the half in my Newtons with no orthotics. Now that I’m not training for anything specific, I’m trying to find the right combination. It’s not easy and terribly frustrating.
It really is so hard and frustrating! Finding good running shoes is so challenging on its own and then the orthotics make it even trickier. I am considering trying them in the newtons, since they have a low drop. I really don’t want to be wearing a shoe with a 10 mm drop plus the orthotic which adds more height (I was always used to running in a 4 mm drop). I understand that maybe the low drop wasn’t working for me and contributing to my problems, but it just seems like such a huge jump to go from 4mm to 14 or something… I hope you figure out some shoes that feel good with your orthotics!
I am so sorry, Lisa! I definitely have felt like nothing is going right… I kind of feel that way right now. if it’s not one thing, it’s another thing. I bet I am the only gross person who wants to see a picture of this blister, though!
Haha, I feel like if I showed you a picture you would think I am just being a big baby, lol! It was gross the first few days but healed up really nicely. I think it was just SO deep that the area is still really sensitive. Plus Im terrified of starting a new blister before this one has a change to toughen up.
So, so, so frustrating! I’m sorry you are having a rough time. I think going to the running store with the orthotics for new shoes is your best bet. Good luck!