The Strategist happens to be full of runners, so this week, we hit the ground running (literally), testing tons of running gear and interviewing experts to give every kind of runner all the intel they might need. Welcome to Running Week.
Running builds me up in a way nothing else can, but it’s also the one thing that has (literally) broken me. I’ve always known that injuries can come with the territory, but following the best track and field season of my life — I was running personal records and breaking TCU school records — I began to notice a sharp pain in my right heel. Every time my foot hit the ground, it felt like I was stepping on a nail. It turned out to be plantar fasciitis, a condition caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, or the connective tissue along the bottom of your foot.
I tried to run through the nasty pain (big mistake) and manage my symptoms with physical therapy, but I was eventually forced to take five months off from running. During that time, I saw several foot specialists and tried many different forms of treatment, including acupuncture and shock-wave therapy. I also tested less-invasive (and more affordable) gadgets, including foot rollers, toe spreaders, and heel pads. These tools and treatments certainly helped manage my discomfort, but the secret to my full recovery — without flare-ups — was Superfeet’s cushioned yet supportive insoles.
I heard about the All-Purpose Support insoles from a podiatrist who recommended them as the best place to start before turning to pricey custom orthotics. The insoles — which you can slip into running sneakers and regular shoes alike — work like this: The high-density foam construction offloads strain and pressure caused by walking and running. Meanwhile, the insole’s deep, cushy cup cradles your heel, locking your foot into alignment with your ankle, knee, and hips to alleviate pain.
At the beginning of my recovery, I was advised never to go barefoot, so I wore my Superfeet insoles every day. To fit them properly, I simply removed the factory insoles in my sneakers and slightly trimmed the toe box of the Superfeet to match that shape. It’s important to note that at first these felt pretty stiff in my Hokas, but that solid support is what reduces the overstretching of the plantar fascia. The break-in process took some time — I started with a few hours of wear every couple of days, and gradually worked my way up to all-day wear. Eventually, the agonizing throbbing in my heel began to fade to light achiness, and soon enough I was wearing my insoles while cross-training and graduated to running on an AlterG (or anti-gravity) treadmill, which reduces the impact of your body weight.
When I progressed to full-weight-bearing runs, I kept wearing my Superfeet insoles in my running shoes. After an almost career-ending injury, I was able to continue competing as an NCAA Division I runner for two more years. To this day, I still rely on my Superfeet. They’re good for up to 12 months or 500 miles, whichever comes first, so I often purchase a new set at the same time as when I was buying new running shoes. I’ve gone on to try a few of the brand’s other designs, such as their Run Support line, which is lightweight but offers the same firm stability. There are days when I experience phantom pain in my heel, but once I’m wearing my Superfeet, I’m reminded of how these insoles practically saved my college running career and fought my fasciitis for good.
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