Home General Training Discussions

Shoe Wear Pattern

Over the past few months, I have noticed that my running shoes, Asics DS Trainer Lites, have been excessively worn on the outside edges of the shoe.  In fact, I have completely worn out the tread in the mid-foot area on the outside edge in 125 miles. I purchased a new pair over the weekend and as I suspected, the outside edge got the most wear during this AM run.

Interesting part is that I am an over-pronator with horrible flat feet.  I have prescriptive orthotics from a orthotics provider that has my foot in a neutral position... except at foot-strike when running.  I have replaced the prescriptive orthotics with some SuperFeet OTC orthotics that are less supportive and I am still supinating the same amount according to my training partner and video evidence.  There does not seem to be any ankle roll inward and I *feel* like my foot on recovery stroke is tight and in a rigid, supinating position prior to foot-fall.  Does that make any sense?

I was wondering if you guys and gals have any thoughts? 

Comments

  • If I read your post right, I'm a little surprised that your doc has you really running in "serious" orthotics. I got my first pair 25 years ago at the time of an overuse injury in my 20s, and I wear them all the time...ironically enough except when I'm running. When I switched away from heel strikig to midfoot, the need for them in running went away. (I can't walk for more than a couple hours before my feet start screaming for them...but I can run for 2.5 hours or an IM without them!)

    If I read the description of your foot wear correctly (midfoot, outside wear...meaning near the "ball" of your pinkie toes I think), perhaps what is going on is that your gait is more or less correct but your orthotic is making the shoe land at a funny angle.

    I am far from an expert at this, but I wanted to toss that out there...
  • @William, I think what I am finding is exactly what you describe. It seems that I am "over-corrected" to a degree. I was considering easing away form the prescriptive orthotics by using progressively less support with OTC's over the next couple of months. Basically, choosing a little less support orthotics until it is minimal. What are your thoughts?
  • Maybe get back to your podiatrist for a re-look at the situation?

  • Med dudes are a big plus, but if you do go back to a doc, make sure you are going to someone who deals with athletes. If not, it's a real potshot on the quality of advice you'll get.

    That said, the direction I went was not to experiment with less support OTC things as much as experiment with nothing (beyond what was in the shoe) but for short distances. started with 20-30 min brick runs, and worked up from there.
  • If your feet are NOT bothering you don't get to excited about your tread wear. Your plan is sounds good though.
Sign In or Register to comment.