Hacker's Luck Seven

I've released my "Lucky 7" gifts to give or get this season.

These products I KNOW, USE and LOVE.  

0:15  - KINeSYS Sunscreen
              Use this link to get to order your sunscreen 
                 https://www.kinesysactive.com/?ref=BESUNSAFELIKETIM
              At checkout use the code       TIMHACKER

0:45  -  Pickle Juice picklepower.com

1:08  -  Sound Helm soundhelmaudio.com


1:40  -  Alpha Inserts alphainserts.com
             These are incredible shoe inserts that have help me in with my plantar fasciitis
              Use the code “HACK30” and save 30 percent off your purchase

2:14  -  ArcticCool Gear workout apparel arcticcool.com
2:30  -  TraxFactory  —  Hot Sockees and Sweat Buster, traxfactory.com
3:10. -  Orange Mud hydration packs for running, hiking or mountain biking orangemud.com

 

Join in on this Cyber Monday deal you can't pass up

Alpha Performance Inserts is Veteran owned and the product is American made.  

Jump in on this deal I can offer you.  Use the code "HACK30" and get 30% off your purchase. 

When you order from their website Alpha Performance Inserts, use the promo code when checking out. 

I have used these inserts in my daily walking shoes, my road running shoes along with my trail running shoes. They swap out easily, or if you don't want to do that, get yourself two pairs. 

I have also worn them in my cycling and mountain bike shoes. They feel amazing inside the show while pedaling. 

More on the insert. 

The shoe insert was made to reduce injuries and strengthen your feet. 

I initially tested and used them three weeks in every situation I could throw at them.  

After wearing them I could feel myself on the way to recovering from a terrible situation with Plantar Fasciitis. 

The ALPHA shoe inserts have made a difference. I am able to walk, hike and run with no pain during or the next day. In the first two weeks of testing the inserts I logged just over 24 miles on a treadmill. 

The ALPHA inserts come in many sizes, so check the web site for your shoe/foot size. They also are available in four different colors. Orange, grey, blue and black.  I chose orange, so a quick glance down at my shoes before putting them on, seeing and knowing with the bright orange color they are inside the shoe. 

Here is the update my video and blog. 

By the way, if you’re not subscribed to my YouTube channel, please do. 

Back on track with the ALPHA from Apex Gear Co.

The Apex Gear Company is Veteran owned and the product is American made.  

The shoe insert was made to reduce injuries and strengthen your feet. 

I have tested and used them over the past three weeks.  I am on the way to recovering from a terrible situation with Plantar Fasciitis. 

The ALPHA shoe inserts have made a difference. I am able to walk, hike and run with no pain during or the next day.  The two weeks of testing these inserts I logged just over 24 miles on a treadmill. 

The ALPHA inserts come in many sizes, so check the web site for your shoe/foot size. They also are available in four different colors. Orange, grey, blue and black.  I chose orange, so a quick glance down at my shoes before putting them on,, seeing and knowing with the bright orange color they are inside the shoe. 

Here is the update my video and blog. 

By the way, if you’re not subscribed to my YouTube channel, please do. 

Apex Gear Co.’s ALPHA performance shoe insert

I’ve talked a lot about suffering from plantar fasciitis over almost the past year.  The stretching and good supportive shoe are helping, however I am trying out the Apex Gear Co.’s ALPHA shoe insert. 

Apex Gear Co. ALPHA insert  was created by marathoners and pedorthists.  

So instead of you asking Google what a pedorthist is, I’ll tell you. 

Pedorthist

A pedorthist is a professional who has specialized training to modify footwear and employ supportive devices to address conditions which affect the feet and lower limbs. They are trained in the assessment of lower limb anatomy and biomechanics, and the appropriate use of corrective footwear – including shoes, shoe modifications and other pedorthic devices.

The company is Veteran owned and the product is American made.  The shoe insert was made to reduce injuries and strengthen your feet. 

The ALPHA inserts come in many sizes, so check the web site for your shoe/foot size. They also are available in four different colors. Orange, grey, blue and black.  I chose orange, so a quick glance down at my shoes before putting them on,, seeing and knowing with the bright orange color they are inside the shoe. 

Wearing these I am looking to improve my foot feeling and help eliminate the Plantar Fasciitis.

This should set me on my way to pain free walking and running. 

I’ll be trying these while running, walking and hiking over the next two weeks and update my video and blog. 

By the way, if you’re not subscribed to my YouTube channel, please do. 

Also check out the Apex Gear Co. site

My right foot was a total mess, until I switched foot doctors.

Finally, after almost eight months of Plantar Fasciitis and onto my second foot doctor, I can NOW say, the pain is starting to go away.  

After not getting relief from the foot doctor that made a pair of orthotics that were suppose to help alleviate the pain being caused in my right foot’s arch and later on heel, I turned to another doctor. 

I started to develop a bursa, or bursitis on my right heel too. My right foot was a total mess. 

Visiting the new doctor he asked me what my issues and symptoms I have or have had. I told him the heel pain both on the bottom of my foot and the back of my heel. 

Upon his exam of my foot and how it was placed in the orthotic, he knew the arch was not high enough. The original mold of my foot was taken, not weight baring, so therefore not really showing the true shape when pressure applied on my foot, how my arch was too low. 

During the office visit he heated my orthotics and molded them up higher in the arches for both feet. It felt better right after doing that.  

Along with the adjustments to the orthotics, I was given a prescription for some topical inflammatory gel and a night splint. 

He also looked at the shoes I was wearing right then and asked what shoes I was running in. 

He suggested I get a pair of good walking shoes and told me just standing and walking is rough on suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. I have since switch my normal everyday shoes for a great pair of stability Brooks Beast I originally purchased for running. 

This was so different than the first doctor I visited.  

I am now wearing the splint nightly, just to keep my ankle at a 90 degree angle, which has been difficult, but it is helping with my first steps of the day getting out of bed. The other doctor only had me using the splint for 20 minutes at a time a few times during the day, with my foot angled with my toe upwards. 

About a week ago, before being seen by the new foot doctor, I was able to get in a few runs on a treadmill at home. I am looking at getting back out in the garage running pain free. 

Update on Plantar Fasciitis and Running on a Treadmill for Training

I can honestly say my plantar fasciitis is feeling the best it has in eight months, however it has not gone away.  My ankle and lower leg still feel a little stiff when first waking up getting out of bed in the morning, but nothing like early last fall. 

Stretching my lower and upper leg muscles along with icing with Frozen Peaz.  I am stretching not just muscles in my foot, but my calves, hamstrings and hips too. 

Needless to say, the foot and ankle doctors advice and help in ordering orthotics has not made the problem go away like I thought it would.  With that, I have left the one doctor I was seeing and am attempting to see another doctor to get his advice and help in dealing with the issue. 

I am almost wondering if the first doctor just had me going to him to buy the expensive orthotics that have not really helped at all. 

I have really focused this past month and a half on using the percussion massage on my soleus muscle. 

The calf contains a network of muscles and tendons on the back and sides of the lower leg including the soles muscle. A good five minutes with the percussion massager on my arch and ball of my foot then I move up to the backside of the lower leg.  This seems to be helping and doing the trick. 

On a happier note, at home we invested in a treadmill. It was in the budget and had the features we were looking for as a family to getting. 

I have had two sessions on it. I ran a great two mile run on it last night, testing out some of the features and got in a groove when I was on it. 

I hate to say it, but I had a fun run. My legs and knees liked the less stress pounding they took.  

I am looking forward to many more treadmill runs as I get back in running shape. 

Plantar fasciitis, update

Still dealing with Plantar Fasciitis. Limited time, but I am able to find it, is slowing my healing process down. After walking or standing on my feet for a full day, I pay the price the next day or so. 

Stretching my lower and upper leg muscles along with icing with Frozen Peaz.  I am stretching not just muscles in my foot, but my calves, hamstrings and hips too. I am keeping my treatments with the JigSaw massage gun (I’ve been able to go cordless, I’ll update on that later) too.  

I also have gone back to the foot doctor and had my feet casted for getting new orthotics. 

The two to three weeks before the orthotics come back from the lab can not come soon enough.

 

I am hoping and praying this will do the trick and knock out the issue for good or lessen the pain. 

An update on my issue with plantar fasciitis. I’m winning!

The past three weeks have been pretty bad at times. It’s not keeping me down. I’m able to do my weight and strength workouts as well as my mountain bike training. 

Icing with Frozen Peaz and stretching not just muscles in my foot, but my calves, hamstrings and hips too. 

You wouldn’t think that driving a car would be hard or cause issues but it has at times. Driving in traffic and my (right) foot is constantly either on the gas or brake pedal. At times it was extremely painful to drive. 

Knowing that my son had his first mountain bike race of the season, two and a half hour drive up north, driving was going to be difficult. Once on the highway and up to speed I was able to get use the cruise control option. Taking my foot off the gas pedal every so often and stretch it out. I also brought the best thing yet and it has really helped. 

A few treatments with the JigSaw massage gun (I’ve been able to go cordless, I’ll update on that later) and using a pair of vibrating insoles.  I had these insoles for a few years now and they are very interesting. They are remote control operated and one insole can be place in each shoe.  Once we got on the road, I was able to use the right foot insole and keep a constant vibration on the sole of my foot. It helped a TON.  I have been using the insole too now while sitting at my desk for longer periods of time. 

I am hoping and praying this will do the trick and knock out the issue for good. 

On a side note, my son did great on his first race and I am excited to see him complete the rest of the season. Four more races to go! 

In a holding pattern

This issue I am having with my Plantar Fasciitis is in a holding patter.  The wrap the podiatrist put on it for a week, brought down the inflammation in it. The wrap came off the other day and I have a few options to take in consideration.

Here are my three options

1. Continue to ice (Frozen Peaz) it numerous times a day and increase my leg and foot stretches.

2. A cortisone shot, in my foot, to reduce the pain. The pain would go away for about six months, if I went this option.

3. Be fitted and casted for new orthotics.

For now I have chosen number one.  I am increasing the stretches and icing to get my foot back on my own. 

I am also using kinesiology tape to help support the plantar fascia. 

Couldn't do it on my own

Couldn't do it on my own this time. Finally, I have made an appointment and seen a foot doctor to help with my right foot.  The intense pain in the heel had made it tough to walk around, let alone get my workouts in.  Stayed away from running for over well over a month and a half now. The stretching treatments I have been doing at home with a following up of an ice, Frozen Peaz, treatment has been making the pain go away, but it does return in time. 

The doctor taped it up with athletic tape for a week, starting today.  Doing this to help relieve the inflammation. I return in a week to see the progress and move on from there. 

I have been working on adding more foam rolling into my routine and will be very aggressive in doing it daily.  I need to not only work on my feet, but tight calves and hamstrings, as this is affecting my feet too.
Looking like it will end with getting a pair of custom orthotics to correct the issue all together.   

On the mend

Over the past few months, I have been having issues with my right foot. The bottom of it to be exact and having plantar fasciitis.  I am doing stretches daily, a few times in fact. My brother has loaned me a splint to use a few times a day, helping isolate the bottom of my foot for stretching and provides a gentle stretch to my plantar fascia and Achilles tendon. I have been strapping my foot in this device and sitting with my foot in it, twice a day for 30 minutes at a time. 

I follow it up placing FrozenPeaz then on my foot. 

I have to say it is working and my foot is starting to feel better and the pain is going away. It will take some time, but it's not an overnight fix. 

Using Frozen Peaz to treat Plantar Fasciitis using them 20 min on, 20 min on twice a day. 

Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)

Frozen Peaz can be used on many placed on the body. Knee, elbow, foot, neck, etc.  Although I am using them here in their cold state, with the Peaz Pod, they can be used with heat as well.

Letting my foot recover using Frozen Peaz

The plantar fasciitis is still bothering my right foot. I have stopped running, but am continuing with my strength program and have moved to riding more road bike as of late. The riding keeps the pounding off of my foot.

Wearing my OS1 compression sleeves and socks along with using Frozen Peaz to treat the bottom, from heel to toe with cold compression. 

Using Frozen Peaz to treat Plantar Fasciitis using them 20 min on, 20 min on twice a day. 

Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)

Frozen Peaz can be used on many placed on the body. Knee, elbow, foot, neck, etc.  Although I am using them here in their cold state, with the Peaz Pod, they can be used with heat as well.

Suffering from plantar fasciitis

Running is causing me pain.  I mentioned before in my blog that I never have suffered from plantar fasciitis, well, until now. 

I don’t know if it’s the shoes I’ve been wearing that have broken down, don’t fit proper any longer or what. The last few months I have woken up to getting out of bed to the first steps being very painful in my right foot. 

A few weeks back I started working on some home remedies. Stretching, massage and Frozen Peaz treatments and wearing compression gear, both calf sleeves and socks to help with the pain. The pain goes away for a little bit, but returns.  I have been able to get a few runs in here and there, but nothing to a regular training routine like I would like to be doing. The longest my runs have been is about three miles.  After I do a Frozen Peaz treatment the pain is better, but knowing that after that run I will pay the price in the next two to three days.  

I have started to wear an older pair of orthotics in my day to day walking shoes. They seem to be helping me during the daytime that’s for sure. 

I will get out running more soon, but before that I might need to make an appointment to the foot doctor to get things checked out and see what I need to do. 

OS1st FS6, Foot Sleeve for help with plantar fasciitis

OS1st FS6, Foot Sleeve

First off, I don’t suffer from plantar fasciitis, however these OS1st are still great for any type of support of compression.  These are a sleeve.  (FS6), so it’s really not a sock. Your toes are free to move around and actually I like that. I know in many places it’s a crime, or it should be wear socks with sandals, but once again these are not socks, but sleeves. So go for it.  No, really, in all honesty I like the toe area being open because now I can wear them with sandals. Paired with my favorite pair of sandals, it allows the sandal to fit, sliding with the sandal between the first and second toes.   

These sleeves help support the foot structure and most importantly the Achilies tendon. They can be worn for recovery or during activity. I am not a fan of adding an extra layer of sock material inside my running shoes, but it is an option. They can be worn under a pair of walking or dress shoes, under your socks. 

After a half-marathon, I wore them to help recover by wearing them to bed, to help my feet recover faster. They are comfortable breathable. The compression is great. 

Check them out for yourself if you suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, these might just help with your condition. 

Icing Made Easy Defines the Icy Feet Cold Packs

The constant pounding, stride after stride, mile after mile, a lot of runners suffer at one time or another with plantar fasciitis. What is plantar fasciitis? It is a straining or irritation of the muscles along the bottom of the foot and arch. I know that cryotherapy or applying cold (ice) to the area will decrease the inflammation and the pain. Craig Snyder, the owner and creator of Icy Feet developed just a product to help treat plantar fasciitis.  I was given a pair of Icy Feet by Craig to try out.  Ice treatments or ice baths are very common to help recovery time, and with Icy Feet you'll be getting back on your feet faster. Simply strap on molded devices, Left foot and Right foot specific,  with their two very simple Velcro enclosures and sit back, prop your feet up and relax for the next 20 minutes. Craig mentioned to me, as we spoke on the phone, that he made the velcro straps long enough to accommodate strapping an ice pack to the top of your foot, if you are wanting to treat that area also. The raised arch and heel cup are very comfortable and places the cold treatment right where it should be. It's recommended you wear socks while wearing Icy Feet. Remember you are wanting to help the muscles on the bottom of the foot, not cause freezer burn to your skin.  Relax and raise your feet. Don't walk around wearing Icy Feet as it will damage them and is not recommended.

Now why would you be doing this you might ask?  The goal is to help the muscles, tendons, bones, nerves and all the different tissues used by your foot to recover.

Wearing Icy Feet causes your blood vessels to tighten, therefore draining the blood out of your feet.  When the time is up, your feet will begin to fill up with 'new' blood that invigorates the muscles with oxygen to help the cells function better. 

Although it is really a first-aid term R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) it also applies when recovering. 

Keep the Icy Feet conveniently stored in the freezer for use after your run or workout, or just a hard day standing on your feet.

Click the link below to find out more about Icy Feet

Icing Made Easy defines the Icy Feet cold packs

SOLE Sport Flips

So here is the low down on the SOLE Sport Flips.  Other sandals or flip flops may be comfortable for the first 20 minutes or so of wearing, but the SOLE Sport Flips are just what your feet and body are craving for.  I have enjoyed these arch supportive flip flops after long training rides or runs.  They contour to your foot, normally after wearing them for a few days. With the arch support and the contoured foot bed, you'll be walking around this summer in comfort.  I really like them after my feet have been cramped up in cycling shoes or just getting more air to my feet after running. Because the SOLE Sport Flips are molded then to your feet, don't let others wear them.  The contour of the foot bed can help alleviate pain from plantar fasciitis.