Agony of De-Feet

April 10th

Rest day

My runners are in good shape, but I was thinking of buying those gel toe pad protectors that go under the ball of your big toe. That's just where my right big toe was injured, and I thought it might help.

Let me preface my thoughts by saying that I already have a good pair of orthotics. Have you ever noticed that going to have your feet checked is like taking your kids to see if they need braces? Very few parents are ever told, "No, your child does not need braces. A little gap is okay, and kind of cute." And very few foot doctors ever say, "I could make you a pair of $300 orthotics custom-fit to your foot and gait, but really, they will look and wear just like $17 Dr Scholls, so save your money."

I left my orthotics in my workout shoes in Ontario. My running shoes here (I only wear New Balance because I have bad feet and they fit) are fairly new and in good shape, but didn't feel as cushy as they used to. I went to the footcare section at the drugstore to find the big toe pad, and found a wonderful pair of Dr Scholl inserts that look a lot like my orthotics, but with rippled gel pads in the places that take the biggest beating. They also claim to take the pressure off one's joints.
http://www.drscholls.com/product.aspx?prodid=82 Oh, and they come with a warning. You cannot wear them on airplanes because the gel is not allowed. Your inserts will be confiscated and then you will have no inserts in your shoes at all. So, remember that when you are packing.

Here's the interesting part. I got them home and the instructions say to take out your old insoles. And guess what? Mine were flat as can be. They had no oomph left in them at all. I put in the Dr Scholl's and slid my shoes on. They feel marvelous. I can't wait to run in them tomorrow. Really!