I have been having calf problems and it is mainly due to ankle flexability. The problems started one I started using nike lunar fly's. I have used thelunar series before and had no problems. I am a forefoot striker. I am looking for a shoe with a miniumal amount of heel drop to get my ankle moving more. I know this will cause problems to begin with. Is 1mm of heel drop make a difference? Will i notice a difference between like 9 and 8mm drop?
take out a ruler and look at what 1 mm looks like.
buy a pair of saucony a5. i train and race in them year round. hands down the best flats i have ever worn in the my running career.
i went through 5 pairs last year.
fyi, i am a forefoot striker as well. high arches.
How do you know that you have poor ankle flexibility and that's the cause of your calf problems?
What were you using previously and how does the fit compare?
I know what 1mm looks like but I am asking more so what it would feel like. I guess the question would be more along the lines of would i notice a difference between 8mm and 9mm drop?
I have had calf tightness for about a year and it has gotten progressively worse. I have had a few ART treatments that have helped. I devoloped 2 huge knots in my left calf that a few sports massages have helped.
I was talking with a strength and condintioning guy that is a pro triathlete and after checking me out he said my anterior tibs are weak. He also said i need to work on ankle flexability due to the fact that it takes a bit of stetching to get my left foot to 90 degrees. The calf problem caues achilles pain but as the day goes on it loosens up and feels better.
Have you tried eccentric heel drops/raises? Weighted and unweighted?
You can raise the heel a bit to find out how it feels. At craft stores or at Walmart in the crafts section, they sell felt squares that are 12"x12" or 9"x12" for about 23 cents.
It looks like this.
http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5146577/il_570xN.30025504.jpg
It's about 2mm thick uncompressed, but it compresses down to about 1mm when you put your weight on it. Cut a section out and put it under your insole in the heel. I can feel the difference, especially on the outside of my arch. If it slips, anchor it in place with a small strip of duct tape. I use craft felt to customize my insole arch and heel for some chronic foot problems.
You may be able to tell the difference between 8 and 9, but the shoes you find on the shelf aren't that exact. For example, the Newton MV2 is supposed to be a zero drop shoe but runningwarehouse.com measured the forefoot as being a mm higher than the heel. The worry that you're putting into 1 mm should be reserved for 5.
