I have flat feet. Huge, I knew that, but apparently my arch can't support my weight anymore (95kg not too long ago). The causes severe pronation, and apparantly I only notice it as ankle pain (it moves a lot inward).
I bought some €80 insoles. Really stiff, high arch support. There are meant for racket sports, very rough surface (need slippery socks), but they seem to fit me well.
All at once, much less ankle pain!!
The next step was to buy some Saucony Stabil-SC shoes, for severe over-pronators. I think they really work, but I have yet to find the perfect insole for them. A thick, huge support insole seem "too much" correction, I get strained shins/calfs. Without a supporting insole, I distinctly feel the arch collaption, like a rope bridge.
Anyway, since a few weeks, I am able to show up for Tuesday and Thursday running practices, distance track team. I don't yet feel comfortable to join the long distance road group, afraid of injury (and boredom).
I can't say my time are improing, but at least I feel pretty OK by the end of a practice, rather than hurtfully impaired before we get to the main program.
I find that I can be surprisingly smooth running near the end of a practice session, even with long escalator intervals (18 metres up from a river tunnel).
Yesterday after 10PM I managed to drag myself outside and do a sort of fartlek run of 25 mins total. There is this bridge 3 mins from my house, 5-6m tall, with grass lawn on the side. there may be some dog activity there, but the grass is short and the lighting sufficient. Next time I'll have to wear my SpeedCross shoes there. Great ankle stability training. And, I can do short hill bounding intervals up the tallest steepest slope. Many little trees littered over the lawn, to make an imaginary winding running course. It's not much, but better than nothing. Hope to go there more often.
I'm looking to get some snow end Jan/early Feb. Hopefully contest the Dutch Nationals this time, the real race. i won the men's non-race this year, behind the first lady...
I don't foresee a wintertri happening this winter (always postponing), but I don't feel bad about it. I am progressing, and hope to include more cycling and skating into my life over this winter.
