simpledog said:I run about 20 miles a week. No variation, same route every day, 4 miles, 5 or 6 days a week.
Problem is I am prone to sprained ankles (I run in the desert). Are there decent 3/4 top cross
trainers that are ok to run in for the distances I'm running?
TIA
Have you tried ankle/foot strengthening exercises? How about taping? I'd go with either of these
before trying a higher top shoe. [OTOH, I've had achilles problems in the past to the extent where I
couldn't tie my hiking boots because they hit a really sensitive spot, so I feel pain even thinking
about it now.]
I agree with Lyndon in terms of higher topped shoes and achilles. If you get something that comes up
higher, you'd need to be extremely careful about how it hits the achilles area. Many have notches
there; others dig in.
I run mostly trails (or snow covered roads when the snow on trails is deep), but the height of my
trail shoe is the same as any road shoe. If pointy-side up rocks are part of the issue, you might
want to consider a shoe with a protection plate in the forefoot - but only if it's the right type of
shoe for your biomechanics.
I think some strengthening exercises may help, but taping is probably better than high top, IMHO. A
higher top will promote further weakness, I would think. Doug can describe taping better, but
basically, wrap anchor strip around ankle, run more strips from one side of ankle to other going
under the foot, anchor on the other side, run another strip around ankle to hold individual strips
in place. I've been surprised at how well it works. Still lets ankles function but restricts
excessive lateral motion.
Just my $.02.
Dot
--
"Success is different things to different people" -Bernd Heinrich in Racing the Antelope