Custom Foot Orthotics For Marathoners

If your 2022 New Years' resolutions include running a marathon, staying healthy throughout the training can be more challenging than the race itself. Custom foot orthotics can improve your running form and efficiency to keep you running strong during your marathon build-up.

Here are some of the ways that a knowledgeable podiatrist can help marathon runners with custom foot orthotics and more.

Biomechanics

A runner's foot strike, stride pattern, and vertical oscillation are as unique as a fingerprint. A podiatrist can increase the odds of staying healthy during marathon training by providing care and creating tools that fit a marathoner's gait like a glove.

• Gait Analysis: when you book an appointment with a podiatrist, one of the first things they're likely to suggest is gait analysis. This process involves running on a treadmill while a collection of cameras capture images from several angles. Once the podiatrist has this data, they can run the images through software to pinpoint the characteristics of your unique running gait. To make this process even more helpful, you can bring in a pair of your well-worn running shoes. By connecting the wear pattern on your running shoes to your gait analysis your podiatrist will have a detailed understanding of your specific running needs.
• X-Ray: in addition to your gait analysis and wear pattern, many podiatrists will get x-rays of your back and hips. Having these images can help them isolate misalignments and other potential issues that can create challenges for you during your marathon training. When your podiatrist takes x-rays, you should also provide a history of your running and/or sports injuries. Even if an injury happened decades ago, it might be the source of related issues during your marathon training.

Customized

Custom foot orthotics are like creating custom tires for your feet. If your podiatrist deems that custom foot orthotics can improve your running efficiency and comfort, you might need to make some additional changes to get the most out of your custom footwear.

• Sizing: some marathoners experience sizing issues after switching to custom foot orthotics. These issues tend to occur after making the switch to custom orthotics because the foot will fit differently in the shoe. Many podiatrists suggest heading to your local running store to "test drive" several styles and brands of running shoes with your custom foot orthotics. Many local running shops will also provide complimentary, custom shoe sizing to put you in shoes that optimize your custom foot orthotics.

For more information on custom orthotics, contact a company like Advanced Foot Clinic.