Question:
I have a long, narrow foot (women's
size 11 in regular shoes, women's
size 13 in running shoes) and I
over-pronate. Since most women's
running shoes don't come larger
then a 12 and they are cut a size
too small (a 12 fits like an 11)
I have always run in men's shoes.
For years I ran in a men's size
11 Asics Gel Kayano, back when they
were named after the season and
year instead of a number. They
were perfect for me straight out
of the box; they didn't even need
a break-in period. The last time
they made a model I could run in
was the Fall 2000 model.
Most of the
shoes I tried purported to be the
ultimate in their line for support
and cushioning, but I found that
they would generally have one, but
not the other. In most cases, any
shoe that was narrow enough and
had good support, went flat too
quickly or the ride was very hard
and I literally felt like I was
pounding the pavement. Others had
good cushioning, but didn't stop
my over pronation.
The result
of running in shoes that don't fit
have been these injuries: tendonitis
in my right ankle, tendonitis in
my right big toe, 2nd metatarsal
pain on my right foot, pain in both
knees and the latest is my right
achilles tendon which blew up like
a balloon after my last 20-miler.
Since July I've seen an orthopaedic
doctor who sent me to physical therapy,
and also to another doc who made
me orthotics (the orthotics didn't
work; they feel like cement in my
shoe).
I cannot possibly be the only tall
female runner with a long narrow
foot! Why on earth don't more of
these companies make stability shoes
for a girl with long feet?
Answer:
I know Adidas make a great woman's
running shoe - that's what I use.
I think you can keep trying the
various models of shoes, because
as you've noticed, they change more
often than I change socks.
Have you tried
thicker socks? Or two pairs? Or
how about running off the pavement
in the shoes that did fit you, but
didn't have the cushioing you expected?
Personally I thnk cushioning is
highly overrated. Keep running in
them, and if they don't cause problems,
that maybe the best you'll be able
to get. There is a shoe out there
for you, so keep trying.
