End of July

Since the 22nd, I changed sneakers to my old ones. I noted in the last post that I had some trouble with my feet on the hike. The next day I pulled the inserts out of my new sneakers and put them in my old ones. Much better. The right one still feels like it's putting too much pressure on the arch but I want to give it a little more time. I have also tried the inserts in my light hiking boots and backpacking boots. I have been doing various things to test my new inserts and my reaction to the stresses. A couple days ago I did a 5 mile walk at backpacking speed (2 miles per hour?). Then spent the rest of the day on my feet doing various things around the house. By end of day, say 7pm or so, had some red marks on my feet on the arches. Feet were tired but not the pain I had been experiencing a year ago. Today, I did a short hike, probably 2 miles or so. This one was very steep with lots of rough terrain, loose rocks, etc. Feet feel great. Both hikes I was wearing my nice backpacking boots. Those feel the best with my inserts of all my shoes. Would I look too dorky wearing them all the time? Too much Granny Clampet? Oh well. I'm more and more seriously thinking of tackling the Northville-Lake Placid trail again. Would have to be October, I've too much other stuff going on in September to take the time. Maybe I should pull the trail guide and last year's hike plan out and take a new look.

Short Hike

I went to the Schoharie Crossing Yankee Hill Historic Site yesterday afternoon. I took my husband Randy and dog Spot along to. We met with an acquaintance from the Fulmont Roadrunners Club. Her club is helping my county 4H set up a 5K Fun Run and Walk. She and another runner measured out our 5K course and we met yesterday to walk the course. It was a great day. There was hardly any humidity and the afternoon was the perfect temp. Spot got to go swimming in the Mohawk River too. Anyway, we set out at a pretty brisk clip, probably 2 - 3 miles per hour since we finished the hike in a little over an hour with a couple of stops for photo opportunities and to make sure I knew where the turn around point was. We had to constantly battle the mosquitoes, probably not a problem in late September when we have the run/walk scheduled. Anyway, my feet felt like they were rented. My sneakers rub my toes and the inserts feel like they're exerting too much pressure on my arches. The tendons in the bottom of my feet still aren't stretched out all the way, that's for sure. I will admit I've been relying on the inserts and not doing my foot exercises the way I should. I guess I should get my self disciple going and get those exercises done every day. On a positive note, my left ankle (the one that was broken) seems to be great. I do get some twinges now and then but for the most part, it seems good to go.

New Inserts

I received my new orthotic inserts yesterday. The left one is perfect. I love the support. The right one needs some adjustment. I've an appointment for Thursday to go back to the office and get it fixed. Oh! Happy Feet!