Masters Running

1

I'm officially weird - kinda long (Read 360 times)

    I haven’t checked in in a while. No running so not much to talk about. I still can’t run but things are slowly getting a bit better. Last night there was a free running clinic at the Spaulding Rehab hospital in Wellesley, MA. It was pretty cool. They had a bunch of rooms and stations where you could get your strength and flexibility analyzed, your running form analyzed, ankle and foot alignment, body fat, etc. There was also a table sponsored by the local running store, Marathon Sports. Here’s what I found out about my running and my shin: Running assessment: Ran 2/3rd of a mile on the treadmill while coaches and physical therapists analyzed my form. Turns out I have excellent form. A little vertical bounce at first but it got better as I ran. I figure that’s normal since I haven’t run in over a month. I also know I tend to have more bounce when running on TM and running easy. While running, they asked if I was a marathoner. I haven’t run a marathon but apparently I run like a marathoner: Short, compact strides, minimal arm swing, good shoulder position and posture, little wasted energy. That was nice to hear. Hip flexors maybe a little tight but otherwise, all good. No sign of overpronation. Foot/ankle alignment analysis: Measured angle of inward rotation, heel alignment, etc. Everything is OK but my arches are pretty low. Left foot classifies as overpronated, right foot neutral. Weird b/c problems now are exclusively on right foot. Osteopathic specialist: Confirmed low and collapsing arches. It’s a ticking bomb to run w/o proper arch support. I asked if this is a weakness I can improve. She said I could a little but it’s bone structure, you were born this way. Your arch collapses and puts tremendous strain and friction on the posterior tibialis. Recommended Dr. Scholls arch supports. No need for customs or expensive ones. Those work really well for other patients she’s seen. I may try these. I’ve tried Spencos and Superfeet Greens in the past but I’ll give these a whirl. This confirmed what my ortho told me 1 ½ years ago but I haven’t found the right arch support/shoe combination just yet. And I need to pick up some exercise bands to do some ankle flexion exercises. And cross-train, cross-train, cross-train. You’re 41, not 21 (she said this in a nice way). Running store table: Very knowledgeable guys here. He watched my treadmill run and looked at the stats from my foot/ankle analysis and watched my walk and listened to my long sordid shoe history. We’ve at least narrowed things down: I’m officially weird. I have the legs of a supinator (legs bow out a bit) and the feet/ankles of an overpronator. They kinda cancel each other out and my gait is neutral. Stability shoes will result in supination and shin and knee pain. Pure neutrals don’t support the arch enough and I get shin pain. This is why I’ve had some misdiagnoses in running stores. Easy to peg me one way or the other. So, once I can run again, I need some arch support and a neutral shoe. Just gotta find the right combo. Body fat test: Whoa. I figured I’d be around 15% if not a little over. I was floored when she told me 10.5%. Maybe I can eat a few more cookies than I think. There were other stations to check out that I didn’t have time for or didn’t want to wait for. Dietician, core strengthening, strength and flexibility testing, balance analysis and more. It was cool. Well, if you’ve read this far, thanks for indulging me. Still can’t run; my shin is sore just from the running form analysis. Still a ways away but at least I know where to start when I get back to running. If you ever have the chance to go to something like this, take advantage of it. It only cost me my time. And I’ll likely get some emails b/c they are trying to market their services but it really was excellent. Good runs everyone.

     

    wildchild


    Carolyn

      Wow! You know the old adage, "you get what you pay for" - well in this case I think you got a lot more than that! Hope the advice was sound, and you get back to running soon.

      I hammered down the trail, passing rocks and trees like they were standing still.

        Wow, well good to get the right shoe diagnosis. I am a flat footed netural runner too, though have never had any issues with pronation while running. I actually slightly pronate when I walk barefoot but not when I run. I've always had good luck with neutral cushioned shoes and I use spenco insoles. Good news about the body fat!

        Once a runner . . .

          Hey George - Nice to hear from you. What a great event you were able to take advantage of! And the fact that it was free is incredible. Can you talk to someone and send the whole package up here to Humboldt County?? Big grin I hope the information you received gets you back in form soon. Good luck with the shins!

          Leslie
          Living and Running Behind the Redwood Curtain
          -------------

          Trail Runner Nation

          Sally McCrae-Choose Strong

          Bare Performance

           


          Marathon Maniac #957

            Very kewl info to have!

            Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."

            Slo


              EGH Thanks for the post.....very interesting and very cool that you could go to something like this. I'm anxious to hear how your swimming is coming along too.
              stumpy77


              Trails are hard!

                very neat clinic--will they be doing any more around Boston? How'd you find out about it? I'm on the marathon e-mail list, but don't remember seeing anything like this.

                Need a fast half for late fall.  Then I need to actually train for it.

                 

                evanflein


                  Oh I'd love to go to something like this!! We have something similar on a smaller scale, but without the running gait analysis and shoe evaluation (which is what I really want). How very cool. And I agree, you're a little weird (not that there's anything wrong with that) and by all means, have a cookie! Smile
                    sounds like a great clinic -- i would have gone had i known about it too but actually conflicted with a school meeting anyway --- glad you were able to get some great info!!

                    denise

                    busiman


                    Running out of mistakes!

                      sounds like a useful clinic! I'm glad you got so much out of it. I wish I had gone as it is only a mile or two away :-P Next time :-)
                      -2009 running goals - sub-3 after Boston (probably VCM), 3 PRs, 2009 miles for the year, and no untreated injuries
                      also on Twitter
                        very neat clinic--will they be doing any more around Boston? How'd you find out about it? I'm on the marathon e-mail list, but don't remember seeing anything like this.
                        sounds like a great clinic -- i would have gone had i known about it too but actually conflicted with a school meeting anyway --- glad you were able to get some great info!!
                        sounds like a useful clinic! I'm glad you got so much out of it. I wish I had gone as it is only a mile or two away :-P Next time :-)
                        There's another one coming up on June 3rd at their Framingham, MA clinic. it's the Spaulding Outpatient Clinic. I think you can call them or look them up online to find out about the clinic and registration details. Not on the calendar yet but here's a link. http://www.spauldingrehab.org/communityevents,month=june-2009
                        I'm anxious to hear how your swimming is coming along too.
                        Sorry to say, I haven't started. lotsof excuses, Feb vacation, biz travel, blah blah. Still lifting and cycling but the Masters swim team takes up the pool early mornings. I'll get in there though. The February meets are over now and if I get there early enough and finish the weights, I can swim laps starting at 6:45am. Cuts it kinda close to get to work on time but it'll be mangeable. Thanks for asking.

                         

                        stumpy77


                        Trails are hard!

                          Thanking you kindly--I've got it on my calendar and just hope I'm running enough at that point to make it worthwhile.

                          Need a fast half for late fall.  Then I need to actually train for it.

                           

                            Very interesting and sounds like great info to have. Hope you find the right shoe for you. I think I may be in that weird category as well (insert the "no duh" comments here). My right foot has much more overpronation than the left. I can see it in the wear patterns of my shoes and notice a different way my right foot lands. May be why I suffer with the shin splint on right leg......... Good luck EGH3
                            Quit being so damn serious! When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. "Ya just gotta let it go." OM