FLAT FEET!! :( :( :(

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Gillsflower
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FLAT FEET!! :( :( :(

Post by Gillsflower »

I was on the treadmill the other day at gym and one of the instructors actually stopped me to tell me that the way I run is going to cause me massive injury and it's most likely to do with having flat feet.

So I run weird :cry:

I was wondering if anyone else had fugly flat feet like mine and if anyone could share tips on how to retrain yourself to run in a manner which doesn't cause injury :( and if getting speacialist running trainers made any difference?
PandorasVise
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Post by PandorasVise »

husband is a runner and know all about flat feet. I would suggest you go to runners world website. They have a lot of info about getting the right running shoes for every type of foot.
Heelus
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Post by Heelus »

I have flat foot too.

And yes you must have the rigth shoes if you're going to run a lot.
Gillsflower
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Post by Gillsflower »

Okay, that will be a trip this weekend then - running shoes!

Do you find it affects your calf muscles?
I have reallly big calves and I've never understood why - it's not in family and I hardly wear heels - could it be the weirdo flat feet running?!!
Heelus
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Post by Heelus »

Gillsflower wrote:Okay, that will be a trip this weekend then - running shoes!

Do you find it affects your calf muscles?
I have reallly big calves and I've never understood why - it's not in family and I hardly wear heels - could it be the weirdo flat feet running?!!
Purely genetics, not due to flat feet.

Personally I have medium calves, not really huge.
swanso5
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Post by swanso5 »

flat feet is causdes by postural imbalances mainly and is exasperated through running so getting shoes for flat feet addresses the symptoms, not the problem
Packard
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Re: FLAT FEET!! :( :( :(

Post by Packard »

Gillsflower wrote:I was on the treadmill the other day at gym and one of the instructors actually stopped me to tell me that the way I run is going to cause me massive injury and it's most likely to do with having flat feet.

So I run weird :cry:

I was wondering if anyone else had fugly flat feet like mine and if anyone could share tips on how to retrain yourself to run in a manner which doesn't cause injury :( and if getting speacialist running trainers made any difference?
Are you sure you have flat feet? Or just maybe the instructor was flirting with you?

I think you need to examine the feet themselves to see if they are "flat" and not the running style.

What was there about your running style that prompted the remark?

Women often run differently than men because of the way their hips are constructed, so it would not surprise me if you ran "like a woman" and not like a man.
Heelus
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Post by Heelus »

swanso5 wrote:flat feet is causdes by postural imbalances mainly and is exasperated through running so getting shoes for flat feet addresses the symptoms, not the problem
I'm born with flat feet LOL flat feet CAUSE postural imbalance, maybe.

I lift barefoot so I'm alright.
Gillsflower
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Post by Gillsflower »

Hi lovely people

thankyou for your replies.
First off - I think I can safely say he was not hitting on me...I was certainly not having an attractive day ;)

What prompted the remark was the fact that I 'slam' feet down onto the ground, and barely put any pressure on heel - so most of the weight is going onto the toes. I try really hard not to do this but it's just instinct to land like this.

What should next step be? Would a trainer be able to help me to retrain running style?

Thanks as ever! xoxox
swanso5
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Post by swanso5 »

do you "short step" when you run?
Gillsflower
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Post by Gillsflower »

Can you explain a bit more what you mean by that?
swanso5
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Post by swanso5 »

do you take short steps when you run? if you donlt get full hip extension (leg trailing back behind you - 20 degrees at least) then your "swing through" as you bring the leg back through won't be as long/wide so you're heel will never strike the ground

anyway you donlt have to run anyway. plenty of other options you can do safely
Gillsflower
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Post by Gillsflower »

I just really love running but I don't want to ruin joints from it.
Yes I do the short step thing.
Is there anything I can do about this?
swanso5
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Post by swanso5 »

search hip extension on google
Packard
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Post by Packard »

I was a sprinter on the track team in high school and when I went to do distance running I had to train myself to do a heal strike first. I always ran on the balls of feet for sprinting.

Make a mental effort to do your heal-then-toe stride the next time. It will come in time.

Also note that your arm motion will control your stride. If you want to sprint you start to move your arms rapidly by your side and your stride will follow.

For that reason you want to have your arms free and swinging easily at your side for a relaxed run. Do not hold your Ipod or anything else in your hands. Concentrate on a relaxed free and easy arm movement.

I think the foot slap is a result of poor technique and not necessarily a result of a physical impairment.
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