One beautiful winter’s day in 2010, I was day-hiking with a dear friend just a few weeks before leaving for my thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. Her former career had been as a successful surgeon of podiatry. So, naturally, I frequently asked her about concerns with my feet. On this particular hike, I inquired what shoe inserts she recommended. I had never used insoles, even though I stocked and regularly sold several brands in my little hiking and backpacking shop, (which I had just successfully sold to hike the AT!). She made a recommendation, which I contemplated momentarily, but then got distracted by all the last-minute details of leaving home for so many months.
I took off for my six-month journey on the Appalachian Trail shortly thereafter, having never made a decision about inserts and essentially forgot about our conversation. Throughout my trip, I had numerous problems with blisters and other foot ailments. Many miles later, I began to succumb to nearly hike-ending plantar fasciitis. The pain was extraordinary. It worsened each day, and then I found myself limping into an outfitter shop in Manchester Center, Vermont. I bought new boots, and the owner, another former podiatrist, recommended I try Soles, the brand my friend had recommended to me a zillion miles ago.
After taking a few days off to recuperate, I returned to the trail. Later that first day, I noticed new sensations in other joints, such as my knees and hips. My steps seemed to be more parallel to each other and less splayed out. Step by step, I was watching my body realign itself in response to the support in my shoes! My knee pain began to lessen, and my arches didn’t throb quite as much. With the help of ibuprofen, I was able to continue and complete my 2,280-mile journey. When I realized the insoles saving my hike were the same ones my friend recommended to me before I began, I was shocked and mortified.
I now understand that when I intuitively ask for advice from a professional that I trust, it is my responsibility to discern if the advice is valid and then to take INSPIRED ACTION. I often wonder what my experience would have been like if I had listened to her suggestion from the beginning. I am now such a huge believer in providing my feet with the proper support… I put insoles in every pair of shoes and boots that I wear! I still spend a significant amount of time on the trail, and I can honestly say my feet have never been happier.
“I trust I am being given the right guidance at the right time.” (And… I know I don’t have to learn everything the hard way!!!)
Happy trails!
xoxCollin
