It started with a simple post to our MRTT group by my friend Tiffany. She shared the following video from Ian’s Shoelace Site, and mentioned that she’d been experiencing pain on the top of her foot and thought she’d give this straight bar lacing a try.
Pain on the top of the foot… Hmmmmm, sounded familiar. Even though I’ve been lacing my shoes extremely loosely for years to try to prevent that painful pressure, I decided to try straight bar lacing as well. And just like Tiffany, I felt instant relief.
It turns out that the traditional criss-cross lacing style puts pressure on the tendons on the top of the foot causing pain. Legendary running coach, Arthur Lydiard, figured this out long ago and developed what is now known at Lydiard Lacing, or straight bar lacing.
The proof is in the pudding, or in my case, the run; so we’ll see how my foot feels after a few more runs.
Stay tuned for a follow up in a few weeks, but my fingers are cross that I might have just discovered a tiny little miracle here – thanks to Coach Lydiard and Professor Shoelace!
- Questions:
- How do you lace your shoes?
- What running shoes do you swear by?
- What other “how to” videos have you found helpful?
I lace my shoes the traditional way, although I use those last two ankle loops. My PT showed me (what he thought was) the best way to lace up those ankle loops but when I do it that way I don’t seem to have enough lace leftover to tie them comfortably! There haas to be a better way..haha
I’ve heard a lot of reviews about changing up lacing. I’m glad to see someone else is seeing results! I’ve heard it changes a lot!
Kristin recently posted…Mini BuluBox Review & Discount Code!
If you’re experiencing any type of top of foot pain definitely give it a try.
I get that pain on the top of my left foot! I’m always stopping to loosen that shoe. I will definitely give this a try.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Weekly Wrap #3
I hope it works for you!
I used to have major issues with my heel slipping and the inside of my shoes would rub and tear. Gggrrrrr. I started using the last 2 ankle loops (“marathon lace”, someone in a running store showed me how to do it) and it has helped tremendously. No slip, and it how somehow taken pressure off the top of my foot / up through my shin.
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Weekly wrap #3 : the Bordeaux region
That’s cool that it fixed the problem. I’ve never used those eyelets, mainly because I wasn’t sure under what circumstances they should be used – for what ailments, etc.
Hmmm-something to think about. I have never tried different lacing for foot pain. Surely going to look into this though.
I love my mizunos and saucony shoes. I am in love with light weight shoes even though I need a very high stability shoe.
Yes, give it a try and see if it helps.
This is a great tip for those suffering with similar conditions. You want to opt out of pain in a simple way and shoe laces sound simple enough.