High heels and calfs/running

[Deleted User] · August 2007

My mate (who is an elite runner) and I were talking about shoes the other day. I had noticed that, for once, she was wearing boots with a bit of a heel, which is unusual for her as she’s normally in flats or flip-flops. She said that she doesn’t wear heels much because its bad for her running. She says its like doing calf-raises all day and it tightens the calf muscle and shortens the Achilles tendon, thereby messes with your ‘toe-off’ phase of the gait cycle and interferes with running in the longer term. Perhaps its pointing out the bleeding obvious, but I had never really thought of that??? I wear heels to work and when I go out. In fact the only time you ever see me in flat shoes is when I run/go for a walk/at gym etc? I do have really tight calves, which even with maintenance massage and stretching after runs remain tight to a degree? So you biomechanics/fizzy peeps out there (siance/footman) is it really that big a deal??? I HATE flat shoes. Walking in flat shoes is about as graceful as a pregnant duck! Am I condemned to a life in Scholl and Clarks?????????? *wails*

[Deleted User] · August 2007

Your mate's absolutely right Nam. Tight calves from wearing high heels can affect hamstring length and also lower back so basically they mess up the lower body. I see people who's gait is not normal when they walk without heels, as the height of heels forces the body's weight forward.

Heels are ok for occasional use, if unlike me, you can walk in them. I look like a man in drag in heels

For daily use wear flats, lucky there's some that don't look too 'sensible'! However flats can be bad for feet arches as they offer little support, soyou can't win I put some insoles from trainers in mine to lift my arches a bit. Other than that it's trainers all the way, which is fine for my job but maybe not for you? Alternatively wearing flats with long slouchy trousers can still look dressy.

[Deleted User] · August 2007

Say hello to your new shoes Nam, nice choice of colours for work or leisure !

http://www.wissotatrader.com/assets/product_images/wt038885l.jpg

Ostrich · August 2007

Mmmm, nice shoes. My father's got some similar. Oh how I diss him.

Siance I have the same man in drag problem as you. I walk like Tina Turner.

I only own trainers and one pair of steel toe cap boots.

[Deleted User] · August 2007

*thows self on floor, legs kicking and fists pummelling*

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Ultra Kanga Kazzaaaaah · August 2007

I have tight hamstrings and a very immobile lower back which are probably due to years of wearing heels. Like you tho' I'm not really a fan of flatties. That said, I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I wore heels in my six months off and haven't worn anything particularly high since re-starting work because of the foot injury.

Apparently I do have slightly fallen arches so as Siance says flatties aren't great for me in that respect.

Apart from the odd occasion, I suspect my days of wearing 'killer' heels are over altho' not quite ready to permanently join the ranks of the 'comfy' shoe brigade - unless its a fashion statement!!

Ultra Kanga Kazzaaaaah · August 2007

Nam, bet they'll look a right treat!!

[Deleted User] · August 2007

Trainers at work is not an option for me… (unless I have the occasional, casual “no meetings” day, but otherwise suit and Saucony isn’t normally a sexy combo… unless you’re power-walking through New York or something&hellip

Siance, I’m really uncomfortable in shoes like ballerina flats, or flip flops… My arches are so flat it makes me feel like I’m virtually walking on my ankles? I actually find heels comfortable as they kind of “create an arch” if you know what I mean?

[Deleted User] · August 2007

who put that smilie there???

[Deleted User] · August 2007

*wails*

http://home.eircom.net/Images/Feeds/Fashion_ie/F_Essentials/16-04-04_16-25_0.jpg

[Deleted User] · August 2007

Heels play havoc with my calves too !!!!!!

[Deleted User] · August 2007

But...help!! I can't wear flats for too long....but for the opposite reason to you Nam.

I love, love love my heels

And cos I have ridiculously high arches, shoes with a bit of a heel are actually comfier than total flats, which just give me major foot ache (and also make my calves seize up if I wear them all day). Not sure I can justify my 4 inch heels using that argument tho...and kitten heels are SO 3 years ago darlings

So anyway I keep wearing my heels - but also walk to and from work in ballet flats. Best of both worlds, and stay chic while doing it.

Does mean it resembles a shoe shop under my desk tho- especially when you take into account the trainers as well for those emergency lunchtime runs or gym sessions