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indigo_rose99 I've been wearing the same expensive ugly shoes to teach in for years and years and years.
And then in December 2014 (while wearing my expensive ugly shoes) I discovered I have plantar fasciitis (yes, the doctor diagnosed it, not me). Ugh. That killed my running. And that day my pain level was TEN!! dammit TEN!!!!! I've mostly been dealing with it by lots of lots of stretching.Then earlier this year I was diagnosed with a NEW issue, metatarsalgia. I've soaked my feet in ice water a LOT. But at this point I'm basically down to 3 pairs of shoes: a pair of flip flops, a pair of sandals (that I can only wear for short periods of time, because they have no arch support or padding) and a dying pair of keen sneakers. All other pairs of shoes compress the ball of my foot left-to-right. If you know anything about metatarsalgia, you know that is the thing that makes me scream in pain (Literally. Ask my doctor. I didn't quite punch him. I did, however, shriek and yank my foot away.). Even my expensive ugly work shoes hurt after only a few minutes.
My 4-week work marathon earlier this year was a challenge. A HUGE challenge. I bought new keen shoes on ebay to try to wear. One of them was a slide that was so-so on the comfort, but poor on the professional appearance. I wore them every day except the first day of training. The first day of every training week, I wore my expensive ugly previously-comfortable training shoes. I did a LOT of stretching. My pain level was.... bearable. Barely.
So yesterday I walked into a shoe store and threw myself on the mercy of an employee. It was the shoe store where I buy Birkenstock shoes and Merrells. I went into my (teaching, long-term standing) goals and my many feet problems. I don't know if I got lucky or all of the employees were like mine. She had a number of suggestions and was awesome. We tried on about 4 pairs of shoes and came up with this:
And then in December 2014 (while wearing my expensive ugly shoes) I discovered I have plantar fasciitis (yes, the doctor diagnosed it, not me). Ugh. That killed my running. And that day my pain level was TEN!! dammit TEN!!!!! I've mostly been dealing with it by lots of lots of stretching.Then earlier this year I was diagnosed with a NEW issue, metatarsalgia. I've soaked my feet in ice water a LOT. But at this point I'm basically down to 3 pairs of shoes: a pair of flip flops, a pair of sandals (that I can only wear for short periods of time, because they have no arch support or padding) and a dying pair of keen sneakers. All other pairs of shoes compress the ball of my foot left-to-right. If you know anything about metatarsalgia, you know that is the thing that makes me scream in pain (Literally. Ask my doctor. I didn't quite punch him. I did, however, shriek and yank my foot away.). Even my expensive ugly work shoes hurt after only a few minutes.
My 4-week work marathon earlier this year was a challenge. A HUGE challenge. I bought new keen shoes on ebay to try to wear. One of them was a slide that was so-so on the comfort, but poor on the professional appearance. I wore them every day except the first day of training. The first day of every training week, I wore my expensive ugly previously-comfortable training shoes. I did a LOT of stretching. My pain level was.... bearable. Barely.
So yesterday I walked into a shoe store and threw myself on the mercy of an employee. It was the shoe store where I buy Birkenstock shoes and Merrells. I went into my (teaching, long-term standing) goals and my many feet problems. I don't know if I got lucky or all of the employees were like mine. She had a number of suggestions and was awesome. We tried on about 4 pairs of shoes and came up with this:
- Alegria. They actually look a lot like my old work shoes, so the forgettable chunky appearance is fine. They are HEAVILY padded on the sole. But most important to me, the ball of my foot sticks out the gap. So no pressure on the most sensitive/painful part of my foot. Yes! I'm wearing them around the house now to test them out. So far, they have surpassed all of the other potential work shoes in my possession.
- She recommended calf compression sleeves for travel but also for teaching. I've been flying in them for several years, but teaching in them is a good idea.
- She strongly recommended that I stop walking barefoot on the hard tile of my house. She recommended a house shoe, which I bought. It has a lot of padding on the bottom, huge arch support and is washable. So far it is more comfortable than standing on the tile. I'm going to give it a week (barefoot is so convenient!) and see where my pain level is. If it is improved, I'm in!
- She recommended several stretches in the morning before I get out of bed. They were easy and I tried them this morning. It was weird. I didn't limp getting out of bed for the first time in.... a long time.
no subject
Date: 2017-09-18 07:06 pm (UTC)The alegria link fails for me. Also, do you have a house shoe link?
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Date: 2017-09-18 08:49 pm (UTC)Try these links:
Alegria: Kourtney Delicut http://www.alegriashoeshop.com/Alegria-Kourtney-Delicut-p/kou-435.htm
Gemma Mule Slippers https://www.vionicshoes.com/gemma-mule-slippers.html
Fashionably attractive or dainty, they are not. But my feet are really really happy!
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Date: 2017-09-19 11:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-09-19 11:06 am (UTC)