Another one bites the dust......W4R3 is history! Ouch!! :-(

[Hotheels]

Arch insoles inserted, I took off today morning hoping that my hobble-gait would improve slightly.

The long and short is that the insoles support previously unsupported areas of my foot which, as a result, gets rather painful and sore - which makes for me continuing to be HobbleHeels until I break them in properly.

Thus in this fashion, I kept the pace slow and consistent and finished Week 4 wincing in pain but happy that my stamina/endurance has definitely improved since I first started. I say this because I don't feel like I'm dying anymore....now its more grit my teeth and bear the arch pain.

I should be elated that I got this far - but I'm feeling rather flat and down....probably because I know that the next few runs will continue to be painful (I've been told the insoles take a few runs to actually begin to see the benefits).

I'm due to start Week 5 on Friday - but not feeling happy about it, just anxious and hopeful that I will be able to cope with the pain.

Sorry for the 'down-in-the-dumps' post.....but had to get it off my chest!!!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Oh that's a shame, I'd be disappointed too. It's only natural to want an instant fix. Even more kudos to you for carrying on. 💪 I hope you feel improvement soon! 🤞🤗

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

You hit the nail on the head. I'm not very good with patience.....generally....lol!!!!😂

Fingers crossed🤞

Thank you x

[Berksrover Graduate]

Never mind hobble heels, you are a star, just make sure you aren't doing more damage than good, can you wear your trainers with inserts in at times other than your runs to break them in a bit quicker? Chin up you are doing amazing 💪💪

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Berksrover]

I wear my runners everyday....everywhere....lol!!! Not simply in a bid to speeden the breaking in process...but because I love the support the shoes give me compared to heels, sandals, flip-flops and pumps.

Fingers crossed 🤞- I will see an improvement and the pain lessens over time!!!

Hobbleheels will persevere!!!! 😏

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Do you think you should try some shorter runs for a week?

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

I never considered that.....the thought simply never occurred to me.....

But...you have a valid point!!! I might give it a go and see how I feel before resuming and tackling W5R1.....

Thank you O Wise One!!!! 🙌

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hotheels]

🙌 You say wise, I say looking for a less painful alternative!

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Hey Hotheels! 👋🏽👋🏽 Running continuously in some pain must be taking a little of the endorphins away, but super well done for finishing W4!! That’s brilliant, especially with what you’ve been enduring. Sorry to hear about your pain.

Running is always going to be here Hotheels and I’m sure you’re planning to continue, so don’t give up looking for a solution. It might help to look around for some more advice and hopefully you’ll find the right solution for you. Is there any chance that different trainers may help? I’ve heard a lot of people talk about gait analysis. Physio?

Wish I had some advice that could help, but sending you a big hug anyway! You’ve really done so well! 🤗 ❤️

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

I've done all I could to help myself......had a gait analysis, bought new trainers that support my overpronation...and now using insoles. I have to be patient and see if this helps or not....until then, there's no getting away from painful runs - irrespective of whether they are long or short.

I live in hope!!!! 😊

Thank you for reminding me that whilst I sort this out, running is going nowhere. It's here with me to stay!!!! 🏃‍♀️😊♥️

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Hotheels]

It certainly is Hotheels! Go get that grad badge! It’s got your name on it! ❤️

[Jell6 Graduate]

Are your arch supports, under your foot, or under your trainer insole?

My sports physio made an orthotic that she stuck to the underside of my insole, so it was always in the correct position. Admittedly that was not the fix my dodgy gait needed, hence the fugly but effective Hokas 🤩

[Hotheels Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Under my feet....they are very snug in my runners, so no chance of shifting around.

This is all driven by my own interpretation of what my feet need to enable me to run without so much pain.

If this doesn't work.....then I'll have to visit a foot specialist I suppose......which I have avoided for 14 years.....lol!!!😏

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to Hotheels]

Hope it works, maybe shorter runs until you adapt to the adjusted gait. ( where I am at the moment 🙄)

[Run_Forest]

You are doing so well!!!!!! Just make sure you keep a steady pace. I started Week5 this week, I was very nervous, but it was good!

[Hotheels Graduate]

To say I'm nervous about tomorrow is an understatement.......lol!!!

I'll see how I feel and tackle tomorrow when it comes......Fingers crossed!!🤞

Thank you for your encouraging words.....The W5 Beast will get tamed!!!😅