She Says: My Name is Heather and I Overpronate.
I got new sneakers today! If you recall, I had debated what to do with my birthday money and chose to spread the love between yoga and new sneakers. Today was sneaker time. Saturday will be yoga time.
I’ve always wanted to go to a real running store and get advice on what sneakers to buy and today I did. I went to the local Road Runner Sports and did a couple of tests at the Shoe Dog before choosing my new shoes.
First, I stepped on a sensor pad (to the right of the treadmill) with each foot to get foot prints of my arch and stride pressure points that I looked at on the computer. I am between a regular and high arch and tend to put pressure on my the ball of my foot, specifically, my big and second toe. More arch information found here.
High Arch
Next, I ran on the treadmill in just my socks while being recorded. The nice employee went over the video with me and it was painfully clear that my ankles appear as though they are going to collapse inward when I run. Ouch!!!! I use the inside of my feet much more than the outside and almost kick my feet out at the end of my short, stifled stride. Translation, I am an ugly runner who seriously overpronates. This article from Runner’s World has descriptions and videos that explain pronation so you can try to figure out which you are.
Next, he measured my feet, just like when I was a kid! Then I tried on several pairs of stability shoes including Brooks, Asics, and Nike. In the end I chose Kayano Asics, which provide stability and hopefully, will prevent me from rolling my ankles inward and relying on the inside of my feet too much.
I highly recommend doing this! It was free and very helpful. I’d suspected I overpronated, but the previous Asics I chose were neutral, not stability. I got them because they were super comfortable, but they weren’t doing me any favors.
In the car on the way home I had half an Apricot Cahsew Boomi Bar from Kristina at Nikes and Ponytails. Mark had half last night, hence the man hand picture.
Do you see the boxes? They hold Summit Swag Bag items!!!
When I finally got home I made Quinoa Curry Salad.
The other day on the elliptical I saw a recipe for this, but I could not for the life of me remember where I found the recipe or all the ingredients, so I just cooked quinoa in veggie brother + curry powder and added a bunch of raw veggies: peppers, corn, carrots and spinach. It was good, but it needed something. I think something sweet, like raisins. There are leftovers, so I will try tomorrow.
I also had two more absolutely delicious modified by me Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
And Day 2 Gymless hit a rough patch. We got Mark’s bike from his house and I took it out tonight, but it had busted breaks. Mark did not warn me about this, and therefore, I think Mark is trying to kill me! Instead, I wrote this post, got excited about my new sneaks and now will do some YOGA!
Oh and guess what? In SMALL WORLD NEWS, Rhodey Girl met my mom today at the Gap! How funny is that?
Tags: curry quinoa salad, mark tried to kill me, new sneakers, overpronation, road runner, running
July 16th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Love the new sneaks! I need to go in and get tested again! Dinner looks absolutely awesome. Quinoa is such a yummy grain. Thats so crazy that Sabrina met your mom! What a small world
July 16th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Hahha love your tags on this post.
I have been thinking about getting one of these running evaluations done for a while. I think I need to bite the bullet and do it. I need a new pair of shoes so I might as well get some that are made for my feet!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I’m a crazy overpronator.I’ve loved Asics since freshmen year cross country. My newest ones are the Gel Foundation 8. My favorite yet! Enjoy the new shoes!
July 16th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I overpronate too! And I have Aasics too!
July 16th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
I have those shoes in the same color!!! I LOVE THEM!! It helps that they’re so pretty
July 16th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
horray for shoe fittings
your dinner looks absolutely amazing!!! and are those eyes or boobies? hehe
July 16th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
LOL – Certainly not MY boobies. Mine would be cupcakes.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
the quinoa curry salad looks great. i had indian quinoa salad last night!
i want to take tests like that to find MY next shoes! that’s really cool. i desperately need new exercise shoes.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I overpronate too – nothing wrong with that!
I need to get into quinoa and use it more in cooking. Thanks for the idea!
July 16th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
I’ve always wanted to get one of those consultations–I think it would be so helpful to know more about my stride. I’m pretty sure that they would tell me that my feet are flat as pancakes and that I overpronate…
July 17th, 2009 at 12:53 am
I never knew about running sneaker consultations (probably because I choose not to run). I think it’s so cool that they take your footprint and get info from that. They probably don’t see flat feet and webbed toes like mine everyday. I should go and scare them! HAHA!
July 17th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Lots of people love Asics Kayano…I hope they work well for you!
July 17th, 2009 at 2:45 am
They did the same thing for me when I bought my new shoes, but my feet are the opposite of yours (super duper, horribly flat), but I still have a tendency to pronate. The new shoes look so pretty, all nice and new
July 17th, 2009 at 4:47 am
Heather, the recipe for the cookies isn’t on the Cooking Light website anymore. Any chance, since you changed the recipe, you could share the recipe with your adaptions?
July 17th, 2009 at 4:51 am
[...] had an experience similar to Heather’s when buying my new shoes. They took my measurements, analyzed my foot, watched my stride on [...]
July 17th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Glad you got your new shoes!! I over pronate as well and also chose Asics!
July 17th, 2009 at 6:12 am
I’ve been wanting to get fitted for running sneakers for a while – this post is my final motivation to just do it!
The quinoa curry salad looks so yummy… and I agree that raisins sounds like a great addition.
I’m excited about the swag bags!!!
July 17th, 2009 at 6:29 am
I just got a new pair of running shoes too and I can’t believe the difference! I will never wait so long to buy new shoes again. I’m pretty sure doing so caused me a lot of unnecessary pain.
July 17th, 2009 at 6:56 am
D: I changed the link and I think that one works. If not, I can email it to you.
July 17th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Glad you went & had your run/feet analyzed before buying new shoes. I did this the last 2 times I bought shoes and am so thankful that I did. I also overpronate & need the support and had previously been wearing a neutral shoe, which was causing lots of ankle pain.
Your meal looks very delicious! YUM!! I am going to have to try that.
July 17th, 2009 at 8:07 am
YAY for Asics…though if you read “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall you’ll want to run in sandals
TRUST ME!
July 17th, 2009 at 8:12 am
I love your new sneakers! They are such a pretty color:)
July 17th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I wear those same sneaks! How funny. I must overpronate as well, as I was fitted for them. They didn’t give me a list of ‘what you do wrong’ but they did say: You need these. No arguments here, I took them and love them!
July 17th, 2009 at 8:42 am
isn’t it amazing how much having a real shoe fitting helps? I was so amazed when we had ours done. I’m glad you got some good shoes that will support your feet!
July 17th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I’ve never heard of that in-depth shoe testing–def ensures you get the best one possible–and your sneaks are cuuute!
July 17th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I overpronate, too. And I have those same shoes!
July 17th, 2009 at 9:38 am
My name is Alison and I have a neutral stride.
I LOVE the shoe analysis at the running shoe store, that’s the best thing I ever did! I was wearing the wrong size (needed to go a half size up for running). Yours was different and better I think because 1) that arch test is too cool for school 2) that had you run on the TM barefoot and I think that’s such a fabulous idea.
I heart Asics too, I hope your new sneaks take you a long, long way!
July 17th, 2009 at 9:44 am
YaY for a running store! How awesome! Now you know how you run and how to help it.
July 17th, 2009 at 10:09 am
It was very exciting to meet Rhodeygirl!!!!
Love the color of your new asics!!!
July 17th, 2009 at 10:23 am
First of all – love the title! That analysis sounds really informative!! Love the shoes!
Secondly, ahhh to the no breaks! One of our old, old cars that had broken didn’t have breaks in it and let’s just say my dad and the brat almost went for a swim in the car once trying to move it
July 17th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Looks like a good experience at the shoe shop. And great kicks there!
That’s so random about RG and your mom!
July 17th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Mmmm cookies nom nom nom.
The quinoa curry salad looks to die for.
Thanks for the info on running shoes! Having one leg shorter than the other makes finding shoes murder for me (the sole has to be a very specific kind), so I’m always happy to learn more about shoes.
July 17th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I over-pronate too – I’ve gotta get some new shoes for that and for plantar fasciitis, boo! But I’m definitely gonna look for a store like the on you went to. I’m glad you had a good experience!
July 17th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
You’re right, those running tests are super helpful. I had the WORST shin splints a couple years ago and it turns out I’m an overpronator too. Who knew? With my new shoes I haven’t had shin splints since.
July 17th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I hear good things about the Kayanos. (I underpronate though, so I don’t wear them.)
July 17th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
So glad you found some great sneakers! That’s so neat that there is a store that can do that. Your curry salad looks really good! Yum! I love boomi bars, but can’t really find them. Happy running
July 17th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
ASICS are the way to go! Gotta love em.
July 17th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
try some apple, raisins, and maybe something coconut like in your salad…
sometimes some rice vinegar and a little mayo/gr yogurt could help too! looks delish! hope your new shoes work out!
July 17th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Great shoe choice! I LOVE my Asics. ♥
I’m so glad I finally went and got properly fitted for a pair of shoes. It really does make a difference.
July 17th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
those sneaks are awesome! cant wait to hear how you long ‘em after you hit the pavement
!
July 17th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
[...] did find a way to improve my Curry Quinoa Salad and that’s with PRUNES! I needed a little something sweet in there and that worked perfectly. I [...]
July 18th, 2009 at 2:28 am
New runners are always fun
Hopefully they help you with your running form – it’s awesome they can give you such personalized information when buying your shoes.
July 18th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I HAVE THOSE!!! those are my latest pair as well!!! When I got them I was going to get the purple but ended up getting the red… I think they were the kayano 14 or 15 …
I am more flat arched and underpronate but they haven’t been too helpful for my pronation. The biggest thing helping is while I run concsiously making an effort to have a “straight foot”- I tell myself to make sure I’m running with my entire foot and not on my big toe or instep etc.
It’s so great they video your feet while running- every shoe store should do that.
July 18th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
YAY! I have those shoes in red, and I haven’t had a problem with my feet or legs in 7 months. Good luck!
July 19th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
hahah tag “mark tried to kill me” haha. My roomie is an overpronator too! She likes the brooks…I call them her orthopod shoes haha.
That cookie is calling my name, “briiiiidget”
July 19th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
[...] seems that a lot of us overpronate, and I’m here to tell you that that’s just fine! There’s still hope, and you can [...]
July 20th, 2009 at 7:03 am
I have those exact same shoes in blue!!!! They are so comfy I wish I could wear them to work all day
July 27th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Thanks for the news, I really didn
September 1st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Def some good info here – keep it coming
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Thanks a lot, this post is very useful.