Good news for my feet!

[Kimmyt]

So I mentioned in the TR for my recent trip out west, that I had suffered from two very ugly black toes. I have had these boots for almost 3 years, but only really used them for this season and last. I figured the boots had packed out or that I had gotten the wrong size.

Took them into my local ski shop, Salter's in Eagleville, PA, to try and find out if there was any salvaging them, or if I'd have to pony up for a new pair.

Good news and bad.

Good: the boots were a good fit, length-wise. They had probably packed out a bit and that was why I was getting the black toes.

Bad: Apparently, my feet very badly pronate. The reason I was having problems getting on my edges is that with my feet sagging in towards the corner I couldn't get any control. The bad part of the news is that in addition to getting orthotics for my ski boots I think I will have to consider getting custom insoles in my running shoes and hiking boots too, because I don't want to develop problems down the line.

But anyway, I had a really good experience! Got fitted for my orthotics by the owner of the shop himself, a very spry 70+ year old man, almost passed out on the orthotics machine due to the hot stuff on my feet making blood pressure go wacky, was told to come back THE NEXT DAY for step 2 of the process, and assured that after the orthotics were in that I would feel completely different in my boots!

I'm very interested in seeing the difference... I even felt it when he had me stand on the whatsahusit machine and aligned my knees correctly. I hope that after skiing in my newly customized boots that I am able to think to myself, "how on earth was I ever able to ski in those old boots!"

YAY!

 

[ski diva]

Actually, this is all very good news. Because now that you know your feet pronate, you can blame all your past skiing difficulties on THAT. So, essentially, you got yourself convenient excuse. A free pass. A scapegoat that can not talk back or be refuted. :D (just kidding)

Seriously, though, you're gonna love the footbeds and wonder how you ever lived without 'em. You'll really see it in your skiing, too.

Sorry 'bout the blood pressure thing, though. Hope you're okay.

 

[Little Lightning]

Orthotics will make such a difference! You might also consider using them in your cycling shoes.

Kathi

 

[Kimmyt]

So, update here. I skiied for the first time in my new orthotics.

The difference was immediately noticeable on Day 1.

The conditions were good, it was cold but the snow was packed powder with nary a patch of ice. From the minute I started skiing to when I stopped I had a huge grin plastered on my face. My control was ON. I felt completely different on my skis, they responded to everything I asked of them. I was carving like a champ, rocketing down runs, making small and large radius turns.

A few points during the day my toes on my right foot went numb, but i thought it may have been the temps, which were pretty low. I also thought I might have worn too thick of socks, hence the numbness.

The second day my technique wasn't as good. The conditions were still good, and it was slightly warmer but overcast. In the morning I still felt solid, but I was getting a bit tired from all the ripping we had done the other day (the other folks I skiied with were fast skiiers, so I had to keep up.... I realized that those rollers at Okemo are a lot more fun when you go fast and jump off every other hill!). By the end of the day my thighs were really feeling it, and I felt that I was starting to sink into the backseat. On the icy patches which showed up mid-afternoon, I wasn't as able to control myself. The backseat issue wasn't bad, though, as my toes didn't bother me at all. On this day I had worn really thin socks, so I thought that maybe my socks were too thin. I was also quite sure that my problems were due to being tired.

The next day was our last there, and I started off tired. My control was really getting away from me, and worse, my balance was off again and this time I couldn't seem to stay out of the backseat. I was wearing a mid-thickness pair of socks that were a bit too big on me, but I adjusted the tightness of my boots to try and compensate. No technique or control whatsoever, and sadly that translated into being unable to ski slow and in control, or fast and in control. The conditions were slightly icy, covered over by maybe an inch of softer fresh snow. Good conditions in the morning, but scraped away by the afternoon. I was feeling like I'd felt the last trip, where I was in the backseat the entire time and had little control over my skis.

So I guess my problem isn't fully solved. I'm still considering the idea that it is a sock thickness issue. The boots are still a bit roomy for me, but they offer much better support and control. One boot is noticeably roomier, while the other is snug. I think I will try wearing 2 different thickness of socks to compensate for that. I want to also see if it is a tiredness issue, which I guess then translates into a techhnique issue. If the next time I go skiing, I am in control again, then I know that it is not the boots, but rather myself and my endurance or lack thereof.

All I know was it felt awesome that first day to feel so in control. I'd like to get that continuously, with no sore toe (my left big toe again was sore after the 3rd day. I hope it doesn't fall off this time...the nail not the toe!). If it is a technique issue, I will have to do something about that and look into a good lesson or two to try and correct the problem.

Anyway, if any of you are still with me: do any of you notice that when you get exhausted you tend to sink into the backseat?? I'm not sure if tired muscles has an effect on that....

 

[volklgirl]

So, update here. I skiied for the first time in my new orthotics.

The difference was immediately noticeable on Day 1.

The conditions were good, it was cold but the snow was packed powder with nary a patch of ice. From the minute I started skiing to when I stopped I had a huge grin plastered on my face. My control was ON. I felt completely different on my skis, they responded to everything I asked of them. I was carving like a champ, rocketing down runs, making small and large radius turns.

A few points during the day my toes on my right foot went numb, but i thought it may have been the temps, which were pretty low. I also thought I might have worn too thick of socks, hence the numbness.

That's awesome!

So I guess my problem isn't fully solved. I'm still considering the idea that it is a sock thickness issue. The boots are still a bit roomy for me, but they offer much better support and control. One boot is noticeably roomier, while the other is snug. I think I will try wearing 2 different thickness of socks to compensate for that. I want to also see if it is a tiredness issue, which I guess then translates into a techhnique issue. If the next time I go skiing, I am in control again, then I know that it is not the boots, but rather myself and my endurance or lack thereof.

Try going back to your fitter with your super thin socks and have him pad the boot on your smaller foot (and anywhere that's loose on the bigger foot). You may also need heel lifts or flat footbed blanks in the bottom of the boot to take up some slack.

Anyway, if any of you are still with me: do any of you notice that when you get exhausted you tend to sink into the backseat?? I'm not sure if tired muscles has an effect on that....

Absolutely....I think everyone I know does that.

 

[ski diva]

Yeah, sounds to me like your socks could be an issue. Go back to the bootfitter -- he could probably help. You shouldn't have to use your socks to compensate for boot fit. Years ago I used to wear thick socks and found that boots that fit and thinner socks work a lot better. Amazingly enough, your feet stay just as warm, too (if not warmer). Go figure.

 

[liquidfeet]

Absolutely....I think everyone I know does that.

You ask about being in the back seat when tired. Yes, it happens to me too.

I did that last Sunday, after having the best ski day of my life on Saturday. The conditions were really no different, the gear was the same, but I was different. On Sunday I was tired, tired, tired, and skidded out on every icy patch I hit. (Of course, there's the ski sharpness issue, which also counts for a lot -- sharp skis grab ice; dull ones don't.) On Saturday I did a Vertical Challenge race in which the team's goal was to get in as many runs as possible from 8:30 to 2:00. We were counting the hours and minutes left from 10:30 onward, because we were trucking down those slopes as fast as we could and repeating it run after run without any breaks. I skied great, and gleamed with pride all day.

Then on Sunday I didn't think I was tired, but my skiing told me different. Back seat, back seat, back seat.

So maybe you need to compare first days to first days, second days to second days, etc, before blaming it on the socks!

Or you can blame it on the skis not being sharp any more. That's really important.

 

[Kimmyt]

Yeah, I think i need to try another 'first day'. If its great again, then I know its just me and my stamina!!

I'm actually headed out on Sunday to enjoy the hopefully less crowded slopes at a small resort nearby while everyone is staying in and getting ready for the game.

Will give another update after that day!