The G Running Diary

Morning (Mourning?) Thoughts: 2/11/02

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So... another day and the leg doesn't hurt. How do stress fractures happen anyway? I've read a lot on stress fractures. My doctor finally said to me that they are a mystery. Sure, the standard replies are that it's an overuse injury, and if you increase volume, intensity, or frequency too fast, that can cause it. But why in one person and not another? Women are more prone to stress fractures than men. Women have smaller bones, which may be a factor. Tibial stress fractures are most common in runners. Many runners overpronate, and as the calf muscles get stronger, the overpronation can become more severe, putting more strain on the bone. But, people who underpronate and are actually high-arched supinators are more likely to get stress fractures. In the shoe advice, people with high arches should wear cushioned shoes. So, I've been told that I am an over-pronator with fairly flat feet. However, my latest theory is that my arches are fairly rigid, and I actually have more of the other problem.

I started running ultras in 1999. The shoe for me has been Asics 2040, 2050, 2060, and tried the 2070. It was never perfect, but it worked. All along the way I have been on the quest for the perfect shoe, especially the perfect trail shoe, since most ultras are on trails. This is a stability shoe. I figure a change to cushioned shoes might help. More cushioning for my beat up legs. So I have ordered two pairs to try out from Road Runner Sports. Asics gel Cumulus III and Brooks Radius 257. I hope the Brooks work. Those shoes are cheaper than others. RRS lets you try out shoes and return them. That is a good thing! The running store I go to locally, The Runner's High in Los Altos, also lets you return shoes after trying them, but the prices are higher (they mostly stick with the MSRP). One time I tried out some Asics Kayanos, ran 6 miles on dirt, and then took them back because they pinched the outside of my toes.