Monday, June 21, 2010

Running + Heels = Angry Lankle

Many moons ago, during my first marathon training cycle I learned the hard way that heels and running don't mix. They aggravated my ITB and I spent the remainder of the cycle rocking the Office Mullet. (Dress clothes with flip flops)

So what WAS I thinking when I slipped on those wedges last night?!?! I mean, it's not like I was trying to run a race in stilettos or anything, I was just trying to look cute for dinner! And yet, here I sit, with hills on deck, a throbbing Lankle and only myself to blame. As I ice in misery and do another painful round of strengthening exercises the PT gave me, I recalled an article I had recently seen on Runner's World called High Heels and Running: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The author, Coach Jenny, has some great tips, most of which I utilize, but at the end of the day I just don't think heels are for me; the forced posture, strain on my hips and ankles and my own instability are just a recipe for injury for this Redhead.

Ladies, what's your take on wearing heels? Can you still rock them while in training or have you had to retire them in favor of more ergonomically friendly flats?

47 comments:

Shannon said...

Definitely can't wear heels while training....but I can't really wear them EVER! lol I have the worst balance issues when wearing heels!

Jamoosh said...

You need to leae the heels to Spike!

:-)

Brandi said...

No heels here!! I'm not graceful enough for them! Flip flops all the way for me!

Jamoosh said...

LINK = http://lastmilelounge.blogspot.com/
RSS = http://lastmilelounge.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Harold said...

Note to self: Don't wear heels when I start marathon training.
LOL :D

LPT said...

Hmmm... I can get away with wedge sandals or the ocassional night with heels (a couple hours, tops). I haven't been a high heel type of girl in awhile since I commute on foot a lot of the time!

Marlene said...

Oh crap! I hope it feels better ASAP with some TLC.

I don't do heels AT ALL anymore. It'a just not worth it.

J said...

I try to mix it up and wear flats and heels. I do have a pair of clarks that don't kill me so i usually end up wearing them. Now I don't know what adding more miles and training for a marathon would do.

Katie said...

When I dressed up to go to work, I would avoid the heels - stay at my desk in the flip-flops as much as possible. They irritated my ITB too. Stupid cranky IT band ruins everything.

Adam said...

if I had a dollar for every time I said to myself:

"why did I wear heels yesterday, why??"

Tricia said...

I've been staying away from heels lately

hope you feel better soon!

Lisa said...

So glad to hear about the interview! Congrats! Now... if you hear of anything in NYC! ;)

I actually learned a couple weeks ago that my heel hurts less when I wear short heels because I put more pressure on the balls of my feet instead. I know, that's odd, but it's true. Still, I'm not going around walking in heels all day!

Yasi said...

So sorry to hear! I stopped wearing heels a while ago because they just annoy me and bother my feet. I'd MUCH rather prefer flats and sandals, even if I'm only 5'3

K said...

When I do wear heels they are not that high and they are never stiletto... I can't balance well enough for those.

Miriam of Filly Runner said...

As a natural toe runner, I still love to wear heel when I'm training (and when I'm not rocking the stress fracture). Mind you when I wear heels I get the weird looks from the coworkers because things are pretty casual around work.

The Shabby Princess said...

I wear them during training because I often can't get away with flats or flip flops--but I totally bring my flippies to work to wear when I'm at my desk, although, at that point, does it really matter? I'm don't spend a lot of time on my feet at work (computer monkey!) so, I guess that's a good thing. That said, I won't usually wear heels outside of the office during training. It just hurts too much! And there are plenty of cute flats out there!

WannabeRunner said...

I can only wear heels when I know that I'm not going to need my knees for a day or two. After two ACL surgeries my knees aren't really fans of heels anymore. Good thing for cute flats and sandals!

Jamie said...

RICE like there's no tomorrow, hope you get to feeling better soon!

Stephanie said...

I do still wear heels, but I usually pay for it. I won't wear them two days in a row, and I won't wear them the day before a long or important run. The men in my life are completely lost by my shoe math, but otherwise, no running :(

Katie A. said...

Nothing over 1 1/2" for me! It sucks, but I love my running body more than I do cute heels anymore!
Feel better!

Candice @ I Have Run said...

At the most, I wear heels once a week and usually only for a few hours. Sorry your lankle doesn't like them!! Hope it gets feeling better SOON!

BECCA said...

I don't have an issue with heels but I have worn them/danced in them and loved the heeled look for several years. Granted I don't wear them every day and I have varying sized heels (the 4.5" ones only come out for special occasions. This is my first 1/2 though and it isn't till September so we'll see how I do!

Btw, tell your Lankle to behave!

runnernic.com said...

I forgo all cute shoes and rock flats and running shoes/ anything comphy during marathon training! :-)

Jen @ KUrunner said...

Unfortunately, I don't have the balance to wear heels even when I'm not training... something I often forget while shoe shopping.

dietitianontherun.com said...

Um, I may or may not have worn heels to work the day I had to run a 20-miler (with impending weekend snow in DC, my LR was pushed up)... in my "defense", I didn't realize I'd have to do the run that day until about noon :)

I truly doubt that heels are a runner's best friend, and they probably Should be left out of a trainer's closet. But, I still heart them and definitely wear them at least once a week. Let's hope that doesn't come back to bite me in the a$$! ;)

Firefly's Running said...

I have no problems with wedges myself. I just don't like standing in them a long period of time. As long as I am walking, I am fine.

Lisa said...

for me - i almost never wear heels.

onelittletrigirl said...

Stilettos are save for special occasions, wedges don't bother me and flip flops are a no-no for me unless I am lounging. I never do walking in flip flops!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

working at home, I really don't wear heels that much... kinda glad i don't ;) Hope it heals up fast!

Her Name is Rio said...

I wear some "dressed up" clogs that have a heel on them which is good for work, but very comfy. My foot doc recommended them. A Bit pricy, though.

That Pink Girl said...

I completely give up heels when I'm in marathon training. My feet/legs/hips take too much abuse as it is. Thank goodness flats are in style and you can find such cute ones!

stillarunner said...

I can't give up the heels. I even trick myself into believing that wearing heels gives my calves a little extra workout. Complete BS? Definitely. But I'm a shrimp and I won't give up those three extra inches!

Denise said...

and i just posted yesterday about how my flip flops have messed up my achilles even more. what the heck are we suppose to wear!?

BeeHive said...

My messed up ankles don't agree with flats! I have to have a 1/2 to 1" heel on anything, including flip flops or my gimped out ankle starts to hurt. Of course higher heels mess with my knees. Oh the drama.

Heidi said...

I can't wear heels when I'm in training. Every time I try, my calfs and hamstrings scream at me. I used to be a heels-only girl. Now I'm getting used to the world at my height.

Run Jess Run said...

I generally stay away from heels this time of year because I don't work. I'm usually barefoot or in flip flops. When I'm working I usually wear heels once or twice a week, but never consecutive days.

Kathrin said...

No heels for me either... It doesn't bother my ITB, but I have problems with the piriformis and running alone aggravates it enough... adding heels and I am in hell!

Take care of that lankle of yours!

RunningLaur said...

Sounds like if you're going to wear heels you'll have to go all Disco Stu with platforms so your feet are still flat. Just make sure you get the ones with the live goldfish in them - it's so much more stylish.

Personally, I haven't worn a fair of heels since I was let go from my 'real' job almost a year ago. I'm a bit afraid of what life would/will be like going back to a strict dress code.

Devon said...

I wore my heels almost every day to work the entire time I was in half marathon training. Training didn't have any impact on my ability to flaut my stilettos ;)

Sarah said...

I've never trained for a marathon, but for my halfs and 10Ks I still wear heels when I want. Actually feels better to wear them when I have shin splints. ;)

Love2Mags said...

I can still wear heels. But I always end up taking them off at my desk and throwing on my sandals or flats :)

La Historiadora de Moda said...

I'm new to your blog and loving it!

Last year I was able to still wear heels while training for a marathon, but I was careful to not wear them when I'd be walking much or to at least opt for a chunkier heel rather than a stiletto.

Amanda said...

OMG office mullet!!! I've never heard that term before but it's awesome. I was definitely sporting it during the last few months of pregnancy..nice work clothes and flip flops. I pretty much ditched heels when I started running a lot. I found my feet and legs were too sore if I wore heels and I wanted to make sure they were in as good a shape as possible for the runs. I do loooove heels though!

lindsay said...

you know i am lazy. i look at my heels, i avoid wearing them at all costs. they are so beautiful and exquisite... but yet so uncomfortable.

i seriously look like a big frumpy hag at work in my baggy clothes and grandma loafers. reallll attractive.

runblackgirlrun.com said...

Honestly, I can't wear heels regardless. My bunion says no.

But do I listen? Absolutely not. Sometimes you just gotta add that sexy length to your legs...and I usually pay for it in pains all UP and DOWN aforementioned sexy legs many days after!

I've learned to live with it, just like I've learned to live with the fact that my singing hurts everyones ears INCLUDING my own.

But life has to be filed with some pain, right?

Nicole said...

I wear heels at work, but flats/flip flops to and from work!

I love my heels!

carpeviam said...

I ROCK those heels until about 2 weeks before the marathon. Then, I purposely retire them for flats. I guess you could say I "go dry." ;)

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