Pronation frustration

[morningstar]

Folks, I am confused. I am an over-pronator, but I just looked at the soles of my current shoes, and they are wearing down on the outer edge of the ball of the foot area - a sign of under-pronation. Also, the shoes are only 6 weeks old, and I haven't been able to run that much due to my ITBS, and they are worn down way more than they should be. Anyone have any idea why these things might be happening?

 

[lrayburn]

Are you wearing a stability or a motion-control shoe? If you are wearing a motion-control shoe maybe it is offering more correction that you actually need and you would be better off with a stability shoe.
Lisa

 

[cindi1]

Have you ever had yourself video recorded when you run? They can slow down the footage and see how your foot is rolling. Is that how you learned you were an over-pronator?

Do you have high arches - from what I have read, that can cause wear on the outer part of the shoe from under pronation.

But the fact that they are so worn down after just 6 weeks seems wrong.

 

[pjlippert]

Hi Morningstar,

Have you seen a podiatrist to get a good pair of orthotics?? It has made a world of difference for me. I have a really high arch but when I step my foot goes nearly flat. My Podiatrist had this pad that I stood on and then walked across to see how my feet hit the ground. It was pretty cool to see the images and was surprising to see how unevenly my feet land. The full-length orthotics even out my feet and my tootisies feel great all day long and stable!!

Just my two cents!

Happy Friday!
Pam

 

[morningstar]

Hi guys,

Thank you for your help. To offer some more information about my situation:

A podiatrist diagnosed me as being an over-pronator and I do not have high arches (one of the signs of over-pronation is low arches or flat feet). I have had custom orthotics but they caused huge issues with my feet so I no longer wear them. I go to a very good running store with extremely knowledgeable staff. I don't see videotaping myself as a viable option at this point. My shoes are Mizuno Wave Nexus 4, which are stability shoes.

 

[melimcn]

How's your back/hips? Have you had any issues with plantar fascitis?

If any of those things are issues for you, it can have that effect as well. I do the same thing. I've had plantar issues for years, and turns out that the way I was unconsiously dealing with it was by underpronating. My chiropractor caught that while he was adjusting my ankles (which has been a huge help!).

Just some other ideas...

 

[jonahnah]

Morningstar,

Just a thought--where do you run? If you run on the sides of roads, you will cause more wear on the outside edges of your shoes due to the slope of the pavement (higher in the center of the road, lower at the outside edges).

Otherwise, I'd take the shoes back to the running store and ask them what they think is going on. Perhaps, you've inadvertantly changed your foot strike pattern due to your ITBS? Do they have one of those cool machines that analyze your gait & foot strike?