Know Your Gait to Prevent Injury {Happy Feet!}

You know that old saying…”Happy shoes equals happy feet!”

Wait a minute, no.  That’s just my saying.  Well, now it exists!

I mentioned in the last post that I have incredibly flat feet.  Thanks to research and an awesome comment from Jenn, I now know why I’ve been feeling certain discomforts in my feet.

Ever since I joined the gym, I’ve been working out perhaps a little bit harder than I used to, although I was already going at it pretty fiercely.  Due to the fact that the treadmill is waiting for me after my weights and plyometric routines, I’ve been enjoying running intervals like this one along with long distance running for better endurance.

All this to say that I overpronate my feet when I walk and run.

[Source]

I have always had problems because of my flat archless feet.  When I was in cross country during my sophomore year in high school, I suffered from hip, back, foot, and knee problems every time I ran.  Thus, my parents and I decided that I needed special orthopedic soles for my shoes.  After having used them for several years, I believe that my feet have gotten better.  But now that I run at least 4 times a week without the best-for-me running shoes, I feel slight pinches and discomfort in the outside of my foot.

Basically, it is right below the outer ankle bone and down to my heel.  Sound familiar to anyone?

That’s why I hope that you take good loving care of your feet as you only have those two!   And I hope that this info will help you to prevent injuries, or at least remedy them with these helpful tips.

1.)  What is Overpronation?

This is the condition that I have, which happens to be rather common for many people.  There are other conditions like underpronation as well.

2.)  Pain Relieving Stretches for Healthy Feet

I think that these exercises may be helpful for anyone who wants to prevent injury–not just heal it.  They certainly can’t hurt either.

3.)  Choose the Right Shoe for YOUR Feet

Just like no diet (or way of eating)  is one size fits all, the same goes for running shoes.

I will be going to the running shoe store and talk to them about the right shoes for my feet.  Although I don’t want to pay the price for another pair, I know that the time to replace my Adidas is long overdue!    Also, this is one of those scenarios where paying the price ahead of time will prevent more money from being wasted through therapy in the long run.  (Not that therapy is a waste!  But they can be expensive for most people)

In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying weights+interval bodyweight training.

For extra cardio, I’ve been using the elliptical and I am happy to report that I actually love it!  I used to be wary of it, but I think that by using it correctly, I’ve been seeing results in my body and cardiovascular system.

My feet actually felt better after the elliptical today!  But that doesn’t mean that my love for running has lessened one bit.

God’s Way and My Way

So the updates have come in for my job interview!

I am not elated to report that I wasn’t hired although I did pass the test, but I am infinitely grateful to the Lord because He’s been teaching me patience and trust through this whole process.

The last few days have been quite of a roller coaster for me emotionally and mentally.  If you know me personally or through this blog, you would probably know that I tend to be on the optimistic side.  Nevertheless, I was feeling burdened by the prospect of marriage without having a job, and the fact that the wedding is only 2 months away didn’t help my poor little brain either!

Currently, I’m happy to share that the burden has been lifted off of me!  As I asked lots of girlfriends to keep me in prayer and have come before God in all honesty regarding my current fears, I just couldn’t help but know that I am so blessed with such caring and loving people in my life!  Not only that, but I know that if He feeds the birds in the air and sustains the world and its patterns, then He can certainly do His perfect will in mine and Greg’s life.

I am not looking to be rich, nor am I striving to make greatness out of my life….I just want to depend on Him and let Him do whatever He desires–because what He desires is what’s best for me.

Thank you for your constant love and support through your comments, because they truly keep my spirits up!

How do you walk/run?  Do you experience pain/discomfort?

If you run, which shoes are your favorite? 

Whats YOUR burden as of late?  Feel free to share!

Love Y’all,

Ellie <33

Tagged as: blessings, elliptical machine, flat feet, God's way, marriage, overpronation of feet, running, running shoes