It’s no secret that I hate running. In fact, I once warmed up with my coach before a tournament match while wearing a tank emblazoned with “I HATE RUNNING”, all caps. He posed a directive in the style of a question to me. “You’re going to change shirts before you play, right?” I was playing a singles match against one of my regular doubles partners. My wardrobe selection wasn’t exactly tipping her off to anything that she didn’t already know.
As I was battling back from my ankle sprain and chronic plantar fasciitis last year, a couple of people recommended that I consult with a running store. I swept the idea away the same way I immediately reject the suggestion that I should start playing pickleball. As it turns out, I probably should have gone to the running store sooner.
As I continue to ramp up my high-impact training and start playing more hardcourt singles matches, I still feel that twinge that I now know is a sign to ease off a little. It has led me to the idea that maybe I need to reevaluate my insoles to see if there is a better option. As it turns out, a running store is a great place to do that.
Running stores are experts in fitting people with shoes. The national chain Fleet Feet doesn’t have a store in every state, but their locations correlate to the places where people play tennis. Chances are there is one near you or at least within a reasonable driving distance.
Fleet Feet stores use a Volumental 3D foot scanner to measure arch length, arch height, foot length, and foot width. While they usually use that technology for recommending and fitting shoes, they also stock high-quality insoles for people who run. As it turns out, running is a high-impact sport, just like tennis.
As a metrics geek, I was fascinated by the data.
My feet are not a perfectly matched set. In fact, my right foot is almost a half size larger than my left. While the scan confirmed that my arch height is “high”, there was a significant difference between my two feet. For example, one of my arches is quite a bit higher than the other. The internet now tells me that asymmetry between feet is fairly common, but I kind of wonder if this is another area where the inherent muscular imbalance of tennis makes that condition more common for players of that sport.
I should also add that in the past two weeks, I have visited two separate Fleet Feet stores and experienced outstanding customer service at both locations. The gal that did my foot scan pointed me at my “best fit” insole and immediately told me that that manufacturer makes a tennis-specific insole that Fleet Feet does not carry. I still purchased the running ones that they had in stock for my own initial evaluation.
I have subsequently ordered the tennis-specific insoles and have them installed in one pair of tennis shoes. From my examination of the specs, the only difference is the shape of a pad on the forefoot. The running model is to maximize propulsion and speed. The tennis version is oriented around agility.
Speed and agility are two words that aren’t frequently associated with my on-court mobility, so I am not sure if it will make a difference for me, but I am trying both out on the tennis court. When playing, I honestly can’t tell the difference without a visual examination of the label on the insole.
I would say that’s the only place I run, but occasionally an ice cream truck rolls down my street…
Wanted to thank you for the tip.
Went yesterday to the local Fleet Feet store and had the scan and bought some insoles which are the best I have ever had.
Impressed with the store and the staff… except they sell pickleball gear too!
The sentence, “When playing, I honestly can’t tell the difference without a visual examination of the label on the insole.” is repeated. Once as it’s own paragraph and then again in the next to last paragraph. It looks like the first occurrence should be deleted, unless you are just really trying to make that point.
Fixed. Though it is a very important point, I did not mean to say it twice.
Great advice – I am going tomorrow. With chronic hip and knee issues, I think it would be worth the money.