As a runner, you can put a lot of pressure on your feet. With some of the hard surfaces that you run on and the constant, repetitive motion, it is no wonder that a lot of runners are going to complain about foot pain and other injuries of the lower body if they do not use the proper caution.
Many runners will choose to go with a pair of custom orthotics to help them out. These orthotics are going to have extra padding in all the right places along with additional support where your feet will need it the most.
One thing you may question is whether these custom orthotics for runners are able to help increase your speed and make you run faster.
Will I Become Faster When Wearing Custom Orthotics?
While many runners may be excited to get a pair of custom orthotics because they think these medical devices will make them faster, you should be aware that the orthotic will not really help you with your running speed. In fact, if you have to get a pair that is really soft to provide more support to the foot, it could actually slow down your running time.
The thickness that comes with the orthotic could have a negative effect on the ground contact time, or how long the foot is going to be on the ground each step that you take. You want to reduce this as much as possible to help increase your speed, but the custom orthotic, when it has a lot of padding on it, will often increase this time.
However, while the orthotic itself may not be able to increase how quickly you are able to run, you may find that it could indirectly help you with training, which can then help you go faster as well. For example, if you have an injury that often flares up when you are at the end of the race and tends to slow you down, then the orthotic would be able to help avoid that.
If you no longer feel the pain or the injury at the end of the race that typically slows you down, you could finish the race faster. You can keep going at a steady pace, without limping or being in a lot of pain, which will make it easier to finish the run without having to slow down at the end.
Keep in mind that the orthotic is just helping with some of the symptoms that are slowing you down during the run. If you are just using the orthotic to prevent issues later on or for some support, without the injury or the pain, then it is unlikely that you are going to see your speed increase during the run.
Protecting Your Feet While Running With Custom Orthotics
There are a ton of benefits that come with regular running. It can help get your heart rate up and pumping, which can provide you with a whole hose of other benefits along the way.
While running can be good for you, it can also cause a good deal of wear and tear on the body overall, including your muscles, tendons, joints, and knees. While you are running, the impact from the heels is going to send a lot of force throughout the body, especially if you are running on hard surfaces.
It is possible that the foot is going to find a position it favors by turning in or out slightly. The way that it goes will depend on the current arch of the foot.
This kind of force is going to make physical conditions worse and as you let it go without treatment, it may extend to other parts of the body. To help protect the body and the feet as a runner, you may find that a pair of custom orthotics is the trick that you need.
Custom orthotics may not help you run any faster on the road, but they can help provide protection.
First, the arches are going to provide some of the support that you need while running. You will have support in all the right places, allowing your feet to get back in normal position and distributing the impact of the step throughout the whole foot, preventing and limiting injuries along the way and making running more enjoyable.
Then there is the extra cushioning in the orthotic. This can ensure that the impact from the ground is not as pronounced on the foot as before.
The extra cushioning can give you a softer landing and ensure that you are able to run further and longer without the pain or an increase in your risk of injury. To prevent this risk overall, get a good pair of custom orthotics for your feet.
What is the Impact on My Feet When Running Without Custom Orthotics?
Running without the necessary support can be hard on your feet. It can force a lot of impact on the feet and heels, which will run up the length of the body and can make the situation so much worse over time. But you don’t want to give up running because it provides you with a ton of great benefits for your health.
This is why the proper pair of custom orthotics can be such a great idea for your feet. Without the right support, you could develop a lot of serious injuries in the legs and feet that can take a long time to heal and could make running impossible for a long time. Some of the conditions that custom orthotics are able to help with include
- Ankle sprain
- Stress fractures
- Plantar fasciitis
- Hamstring injuries
- Shin splints
- IT band syndrome
- Achilles tendonitis
- Runner’s knee
Running in a shoe that does not fit you well or without a custom orthotic can make it more likely that you will develop these conditions and more. A well-fit, custom shoe orthotic will make sure that the foot stays in place and has the support that you need and even the cushioning. If you plan to run quite a bit, then these insoles are right for you.
Do Runners Need Custom Orthotics?
As a runner, you may wonder when it makes sense for you to get a pair of custom orthotics for your feet. If you plan on running almost every day, doing long-distance races, or running on hard terrain, you may find that a pair of custom orthotics make a lot of sense for your feet when it comes to protection and cushioning.
All types of running can be good for the body, but they do have the potential of hurting your body and sending a lot of force back and forth over and over again. With a pair of custom orthotics, you can limit some of the damage and the pain, which will help you prevent injuries and makes sure that you can run with ease and without the pain for years to come.
Choosing the Best Custom Orthotics for Runners
As a runner, you need to give your feet the very best all the time. There are so many things that can cause damage and pain to your feet and having a pair of custom orthotics can help with this.
Custom orthotics may not make you faster, but they prevent pain and injury while running, which will help give you more time to train so you can get faster. When you are ready to see if custom orthotics for runners are the best choice to make your run more enjoyable, take our free online analysis.
With more than 25 years of experience, you can trust our team of professionals to determine whether custom orthotics are right for you. Give us a call or leave your information to get started, right from the comfort of your own home!