The green line represents my Achilles tendon and should be at 180º

I’m home sick with laryngitis and am forbidden to talk; however, I am allowed to write (and run!). After my unsuccessful shoe shopping trip I broke down and went to a sports doctor to have my feet looked at. It was at a well respected clinic right next to my dorm in Hamburg when I studied abroad so it was fun to see my old stomping ground again and I felt like they did a good, thorough job checking my feet and running style. At least they didn’t laugh when I told them I was planning on running a marathon in the fall (like my doctor did).

The verdict: I have flat, splay feet. (Or in German, Senkspreizfüße)

It sounds much worse than it is. It basically means that both my inner arch and arch under the ball of my foot is weak and sunken. This causes me to over pronate (my ankles flop inward) thus giving me knocked knees. Funny thing is it’s never given me any pain, but the truth of it is that if could cause problems if I’m running often or long distances. So I’ve ordered specialty sport insoles and the doc gave me a list of shoes that help support this problem as well. I’m going to try and build up the muscles in my arches because insoles and shoes are only passive support and don’t really solve the root problem. The best thing I can do is run in the sand. Oh Lincoln City how I miss you now!

Don’t mind me if you find me trying to pick up pencils with my feet; I’m just training.