What Run Oregon is Wearing: ShoeCue

When I first saw ShoeCue, I was immediately intrigued.  How would it step up to the challenge of a recreational runner (or part time couch potato) with years of bad form and terrible posture?

How it works:

The ShoeCue insole uses a patent-pending, textured, and thermoplastic heel-plate that reconnects your feet to the ground. By waking up the soles of your feet and restoring their connection to your brain, you improve your understanding of how you’re connected to the world. By closing this neural loop, you gain improved self-awareness and sensory abilities, and as a result, enhanced coordination and movement.

Let me jump right in and say I have a mean heel-strike.  When running relays, my teammates have called me “monster stomper” due to my characteristic and unmistakable heel strike.  It seems as of late that I finish a run with aching heels and pained hips more than I’d like.  I attribute these injuries with heel striking and despite investing in sessions with a running coach, numerous physical therapy visits because of injury, and working with being mindful of my foot placement, it is a hard habit to let go.

It’s interesting to me how quickly the insole does exactly what ShoeCue said it would.  The bumpy nodules on the heel plate give the reminder my brain needs but can’t remember as the miles and fatigue add up.  Not uncomfortable or painful, the bumpy plate sends the message to my brain right away what my foot mechanics are and what I need to change.  ShoeCue will quickly correct what fatigue and forgetfulness has in the past let slip by.  The plastic nodules don’t hurt, but don’t “hide” either.  You know they are there and because of this, it has helped me think about what abuse I do put on my heels.  Relying on sensory, it is recommended to change the thickness of socks to adjust the amount of sensation will be felt.  To wear no socks at all would, of course, offer the most possible sensation, sending an immediate message to the brain where the foot (heel) is landing.    I hope that given enough time with the insoles, my muscles and brain will both be retrained and this habit extinguished.

ShoeCue is currently available for $34.99 and a 30 day risk-free trail.  Wear them for a month, and if you aren’t satisfied, return them for a full refund.