Hahahahahahaha. Did the title make anyone else giggle? No one? Okay, I guess I’m like a 12 year old boy.
Anyway, I’ve mentioned a few times over the past week that my heel has really been hurting me. I’m pretty sure it’s plantar fasciitis, and many of of you suggested getting inserts for my shoes or getting new shoes all together.
I really didn’t feel like my shoes were worn down at all, but I decided to head to Fleet Feet in Chicago to talk to someone about getting some new shoes. I’ve been here a couple times before, once pre-blog for a pair of shoes, and then right when I started my blog for another new pair , and was never very impressed by the help I received. I always felt like the people helping me were new or didn’t really know enough about the shoes and running to meet the expectations I had of this store.
However, this time the salesman helping me literally blew me out of the water. He realized right away that my shoes were not the issue, he said they had plenty of wear left in them. He then proceeded to talk to me all about the pain in my foot and then explained Plantar Fasciitis to me as well as how helpful the inserts would be. The amount of time and effort he took was incredibly impressive.
He had me stand on a couple inserts and then put the one that felt the best into one of my shoes and had me jog to see the difference. It was really impressive! Another thing I didn’t know? My shoe has removable inserts in it already… I had no idea the bottom of my shoe came out. Anyone else? Try it. I was shocked when he pulled it out to put the new insert in, I just thought it went on top!
They also formed the inserts to fit into my shoe, and surprisingly said that if they don’t workout then I can return them! I love hearing that.
He also gave me another method of helping my heel. After explaining what happens to the muscle throughout the day, he said using this ball and massaging the bottom of my foot would help loosen up my muscles. He recommended using it before and after runs, and sometimes in the morning as well.
I call it my “monster ball” because of how it looks! Like a tiny monster! Or a cartoon version of some kind of virus. I prefer monster ball. I was impressed with it and had to get it too! Only $5!
As for my foot, there’s not a lot of change. Which is good/bad. Bad because I want to be all better, but good because I ran 2 miles on the treadmill with my new inserts and it’s not any worse! Silver lining…
I would like to note that I was able to finish day 1 of Bootcamp yesterday within my time limit! I mentioned yesterday that I was worried about it, but luckily it worked out!
I only ran a mile because my foot started bothering me and then elliptical-ed for 5 minutes instead of 10, but I managed to get through the workout with just enough time for a quick stretch before heading home to get ready to school. I also LOVED the workout! Several of the moves were a lot tougher than I thought they would be, especially doing a split lung with dumbells and your front foot on the round side of a bosu ball! Sounds easy? Try it!
Do you have any cool tools like the “monster ball” that you recommend?
What’s a tough circuit move that you love to do?