Overpronation: I finished C25k a couple of years... - Couch to 5K

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Overpronation

Lizzog profile image
LizzogGraduate
24 Replies

I finished C25k a couple of years ago and had been running 5k and 3k most weeks. Last September I had a gait analysis and got my 3rd pair of Brooks. I had some inserts made too.

In October I was laid low with gluteal tendinitis and didn’t run for 6 months.

I’ve started C25k again and am repeating runs on the advice of my physio. I also do Pilates for strengthening and core stability.

I am hypermobile but also menopausal and I think the combination of these and the injury have caused an overpronantion on my left foot- the same side I have my tendinitis and IT band issues.

Is it worth getting another pair of trainers do you think? I’m having a podiatrist check out the inserts next week.

Are there any particular shoes that are good for this type of issue?

I’m really worried about further injuries.

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Lizzog profile image
Lizzog
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24 Replies
IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

A good sports physio/podiatrist and possibly another gait analysis will give you far more reliable information than any of us can give.

We are all different.

Have a gait analysis done at a specialist running shop and find out what suits your running style, rather than take advice from someone else whose perfect shoe may be wholly unsuitable for you. This guide to buying running shoes may help healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Lizzog profile image
LizzogGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thanks

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

I would certainly each the advice from IannodaTruffe .

No-one on here can/or should recommend a shoe for you !

Lizzog profile image
LizzogGraduate

Yes we are all different and I am going to see a podiatrist etc- I was asking really whether anyone on here had similar issues and whether there was a particular shoe that was best.

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

I have insoles from an orthotic person and wearing these show I now have a neutral gait so although I have very good trainers I also have old favourites, as others have said, get it all checked out and definitely take advice from those who are trained

I noticed a huge difference with the orthotic insoles though

Lizzog profile image
LizzogGraduate in reply to SueAppleRun

Yes I have sought advice and got inserts etc but still over pronating. I’ve got an appointment with podiatrist who specialises in gait analysis and will see her next week. I’m just overwhelmed by choice of supportive trainers on the market. Guess I’ll be guided by the running shop again once I’ve had my analysis done

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate in reply to Lizzog

Yes or the podiatrist

John_W profile image
John_WGraduateAmbassador

How do you know that your pronation is too much?

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate

As indicated above, professional advice is the way to go. I have just come through my own journey with injury from over pronation (foot swelling and pain in my case). I weighed up use of orthotics and other remedies. My faithful physio took the view that, because I have high arches, it was better to try to fix the cause of the over pronation rather than go down the orthotics route. Just by observing me doing a squat, and listening to my description of the pain, she isolated the problem to tendons on the inside of my foot and gave me an exercise regime to address the problem. At the same time I picked up that my right hip was unsteady when I stood on one foot, so I did some hip exercises too! It is working. I wore Brooks Adrenaline prior to the treatment, and still do. I am not suggesting that any of this will fix your problem; just illustrating that the causes and solutions are unique to the individual, which is where the professionals come into their own.

Rowers profile image
RowersGraduate

I'm not an expert and your feet will certainly be different from mine, but what I do have in common is that I'm menopausal and have foot issues, I think from hypermobility. The bunions are hereditary. I've also redone C25k this year having been out for 6 months last year with a broken ankle (sustained when walking in non-supportive shoes). I currently run in Saucony Guide 14s. I don't know whether my gait is neutralised with them, but they're very comfy!

Lizzog profile image
LizzogGraduate

Thanks - I think it’s a very personal thing but that’s very helpful - I’ll take a look 👍

MrsRDj profile image
MrsRDjGraduate in reply to Lizzog

Hi Lizzog , my feet over pronate, I use Superfeet insoles in Saucony Guide trainers. I also continuously work on glute, core, ankle and foot strength so I'm not collapsing into my ankles and feet when I run. I had similar issues to you when I started running but this is what worked for me, as advised by a running mechanics physio specialist. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Lizzog profile image
LizzogGraduate in reply to MrsRDj

Thanks so much really appreciate your advice 👍

Comaltdel profile image
ComaltdelGraduate

Hi Lizzog, I am going to give my personal opinion here. Please note it’s my personal opinion and not advice…. 🤐😉As a retired physical therapy professional (with broad interest in a multitude of approaches and ideas) I do have a view on inserts and feet. I too have been laid low by gluteal tendonopathy and a glut med tear which has plagued my for nearly a year. Having an MRI to find cause of pain and course of shortwave electro therapy. Gradual rehab and plenty of muscle building exercises etc etc have helped and I am just taking my first tentative steps back into running. I have also looked at getting my feet working better. With 26 bones and complex mechanics they are thing of wonder. I’ve looked at the work of Gary Ward/Tony Riddle/Helen Hall. I am not a huge fan of orthotics because when in practice I found they tended to “lock-up” the foot’s functional ability and put further stress on the lower limb mechanics etc. Sometimes it felt like chasing the dragon trying to find the source of an injury.

I have no thoughts on running shoes per se. I’ve worked on core strength, building lower body strength through more regular Yoga, trying to keep supple and stretched. In addition as a menopausal lady, like yourself do not underestimate the power of oestrogen! If you’re on HRT that’s likely to help with MSK injuries, as there are oestrogen receptors in every cell of one’s body. I’ve known plantar fasciitis symptoms improve/disappear after starting HRT.

Anyway I’ll stop now as I’ve already gone on too long… soapbox away! Good luck with your rehab and choices you make.

Lizzog profile image
LizzogGraduate in reply to Comaltdel

Thanks! Yes HRT all the way here! I think being hypermobile is a curse sadly when you get older! I’m going to see what the podiatrist says - I feel like I need to change something I’m doing or wearing on my feet but not sure what! I really know what you mean about trying to find the source of the issue! It’s tying me up in knots 🤦‍♀️

lourunrun profile image
lourunrunGraduate in reply to Comaltdel

Thanks for your references to Helen Hall and Gary Ward ... I have spent this morning reading their websites. I had a horrible snowboarding accident in January (# tibia and fibula treated with intermedullary nailing) and after being non weightbearing for several weeks I have been experiencing foot pain which I have never had before. I have signed up to Gary Halls 'Wake up your feet' and bought Helen Hall's book and hope to restart my running journey with C25K again in July with some fresh insights.

Comaltdel profile image
ComaltdelGraduate in reply to lourunrun

Nasty accident Poor you… sorry to hear that. Regarding Gary and Helen—down a rabbit hole you go…!!Interesting stuff for you to read and take it steady! Check out Dr Rangan Chattergee and Gary Ward on Dr C’s podcast Feel better Live more. Good starter and they have some basic exercises on Dr C’s youtube channel too. Be interested to hear how you get on.

lourunrun profile image
lourunrunGraduate in reply to Comaltdel

Many thanks - I'll keep you posted! My foot is a lot better than it was but still needs to improve for me to be able to run.

Kiai profile image
KiaiGraduate

If it’s of interest…. My feet overpronate and I had some trainer type orthotics (“Body Partner”, not custom made but are close enough) provided by a podiatrist - I took them to Up & Running and sought their advice when buying my first running shoes. Anyhow, after doing the gait analysis, they suggested a few models that have a bit more space in to accommodate my new insoles (taking out the shoes’ supplied insoles). I personally settled on New Balance but also tried Brooks and another brand that I can’t remember. The shop should be able to suggest some that will be suitable for you. I did take my new running shoes to the podiatrist afterwards to get a larger size of orthotics (2 sizes larger then top end trimmed to fit length) for better filling out the width of the toe area of the running shoe as well as the length as the shoes are a size bigger than my normal shoe size. Every situation is different but that’s how I got to my set up. Best of luck and fingers crossed no more injuries!

klick profile image
klickGraduate

Hi Lizzog,

About overpronation, it's quite often mostly your nature, the way you grown, etc, something you likely had all your life.

Now, with running, this is indeed quite problematic. Just sharing my story, and how it was solved at the end.

4 years ago : 39 years old man , 1m71, 108kg, decided to start to run. Initial duration was less a minute. But after some week, it was 10 minutes, etc, and grown up.

Rapidly, I suffered from one knee, and was unable to run any longer, with upstairs being a pure pain.

A podiatrist, most working with sport peoples, made me insoles , with a HUGE correction inside, almost 4 cms ! not kidding.

I was instantly feeling good with those, and was able to resume running the same day after WEEKS of suffering.

4 years ago, I feel limit less, still requiring those corrective insoles, in ALL my running shoes, even if I lost 34 kg. I won't run with them at all.

Now what to know :

- changing shoes, depending on your pronation, isn't helping that much. After about 50km, I usually destroy those overpronating reinforcement in specialized shoes.

- I'm wearing shoes like hell, running in very rocky area, but a shoes that last 400km is very hard.

- I can't buy a pair of shoes without my corrective insoles. They change confort a LOT and add height inside, so take care about your heels, you need to be sure you are feeling good with those insoles.

just a lost bit of fun, I have a 100km trail race planned in 2 weeks, so don't worry, well handled, this problem will simply disappear, if you don't care about having a strange gait, which I do have :)

hope that helps a bit !

Lizzog profile image
LizzogGraduate

Turns out I’ve got Metatarsal Capsulitis and mild bunion - been to see podiatrist today. She’s tweaked my insoles and I’m about to try them out on a short run.

Will need to get some more supportive ruining shies

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply to Lizzog

There is a different school of thought to "more support", and that's to get the foot to actually do some work rather than confine its natural movement even further.

I speak as someone who used to have flat feet and wore corrective insoles for over twenty years. It's not for everyone, of course, and it can take years to undo the harm that fashion footwear has done.

And a bunion is likely to be due to a tight toe box in your shoes that's forcing your big toe inwards. The sad fact is that most shoes are not foot shaped.

I blame the Dolmansaxlil Shoe Corporation and, following my criticism, await the arrival of their foot soldiers to cart me away.

Lizzog profile image
LizzogGraduate in reply to nowster

Yes I get that school of thought but I’mGoing to go with this and see how I get on. I’ve been very careful with footwear and never wear heels etc. I think a lot of my issues stem from hyper mobility

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply to Lizzog

Mine too. I have mild Ehlers-Danloss Hypermobility.

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