Superfeet Success Stories? (Read 1440 times)

Do you have one? I sure do! For the last 3 months I have had a chronic case of "runner's knee" in my right knee. I had tried everything to treat it, including regular quad strengthening workouts, new shoes (more stable, more stiff...helped my knee, pissed-off my feet), scaling back my mileage, doctor visit, etc. Things started 2 weeks before I began marathon training and I have struggled for the last 12 weeks with painful, STRESSFUL (as opposed to stress-relieving) runs. As of a few days ago I had decided that if things did not improve significantly and within this week that I would be bailing on my marathon plan (this would be the second race this year that I DNS/DNF'd...in April I had a bad lung infection and fever that sidelined me from a 10 miler...'08 has not bee a good year for me in terms of running/health). In a last-ditch try to salvage some of my marathon training I decided to put a pair of Superfeet "berry" insoles in my shoes, since I have seen so many raves and figured I'd be out $0 if they didn't work, since the company and the store I bought them from stands behind the product. I had worn an OTC orthotic for a brief time about a year ago to try to help with some peroneal tendonitis issues, but they made matters worse and were really too high-arched for my flatish feet. What I needed was a more flexible shoe, not a stiff shoe with even more control. So I was more than a little pessimistic that the Superfeets would help. Moderate stability shoes corrected over-pronation, but prevent the natural forefoot flex that my feet seem to crave with their relatively stiff soles and cushioning. My favorite lightweight stability trainers gave me the forefoot flex, but also allowed my arches to flatten too much and my knee to twist incorrectly. Voila--orthotic insoles save the day! I get to keep my flexible shoes, but control the over-pronation. I just ran my longest run ever--after only putting 4 miles on the Superfeet insoles last night. My last couple of long runs have been 15 excruciating miles...today's 17 felt blissfully pain-free and easy, by comparison. I still had some knee pain, but it came on a lot later in my run and never developed into anything unmanageable to run with. I have a feeling that continuing to wear the orthotic insoles will allow my knee to finally heal fully, too--just in time!

Thanks! Hey, did you try the berry insoles, yet, or are you still working with the Powerstep ones?

Kirsten, I'm so glad they worked so well on your long run! Great news.

Phew, me too! It's truly amazing to me how a simple little piece of plastic can make such a big difference in how my shoe works. Shoe feels about the same on my feet, but I guess that's a good thing.

Phew, me too! It's truly amazing to me how a simple little piece of plastic can make such a big difference in how my shoe works. Shoe feels about the same on my feet, but I guess that's a good thing.

Yep! I was a really good test for them, because I really didn't EXPECT them to work. I'd bought them last month and hadn't tried them yet. I finally decided to, just to determine whether I should toss the shoes!

If all goes well, my long run will be 12 on Sunday....*** crosses fingers ****

*crosses fingers AND toes*

I'm so happy you've found a solution! Cranky knees are a PITA. I'm a superfeet greens success story too - they totally helped my PF!

Yeah for you! I hope now we can actually put in a run together. Okay I'm not ready for any 17's, give me a shout on your short run days! We can finish the race at Jimmy's Pub and an Oberon to celebrate your return

Hey, you know...Vikki and I are running 5 on Friday together...

I will be in Southern Indiana with my inlaws to attend "Ribberfest" a weekend of cooking/eating Ribs, listening to some Bluegrass and drinking some beer.I will need to run a lot next week to bounce back from this weekend. (I need the alcohol to handle my dh family ) But def. next week!

Ha, funny...I need alcohol to deal with my MIL, too...though she is not so cool as to attend any rib fests (that actually sounds really fun).