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

VENTURE 4TH Self Inflating Sleeping Pad

The VENTURE 4TH Self Inflating Sleeping Pad requires no pump at opening the valve starts the pad inflating by itself. There is a layer of foam inside that gives it great structure. 

You can, and I have, added more air into it by blowing in the valve to make the pad more firm.  With many camping trips we use to use an air mattress having to bring along an inflator to inflate it before going to bed. Not with this pad. The air mattress would alway lose air overnight with no visible leaks in it. So far, the VENTURE 4TH Self Inflating Sleeping Pad is staying inflated throughout the night. It folds and rolls small and will be part of our hiking ventures in the future. With the shape of it, it could be inserted inside your sleeping bag if you have a difficult time staying on top of it. It supports the body very well. We have had some difficulty folding and rolling back small enough like that it originally came like. I have come close, but they take up way less room than the old air mattress we used to use.  It is lightweight and very compact though. I would highly recommend the VENTURE 4TH Self Inflating Sleeping Pad. Although it is self inflating, I have added air to make it more firm. It is very comfortable and holds the air well. No carrying any inflators or batteries to inflate. 

Venture 4th Sleeping Pad

 #Venture4th #SleepingPad #selfinflating

 #camping #hiking #sleepcomfort 

Grand Canyon Trip of 2017

A total of nine of us made it to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up the next day. A great hiking trip in the making over a year ago.

Here are to two GPS maps captured as we took the South Kaibab Trail down to Phantom Ranch at the bottom, close to the Colorado River. The second video shows the Bright Angel Trail we took to return up to the south rim. 

Perfect weather and friends to talk with on the journey.
We all stayed the night in the dorms at Phantom Ranch and had dinner and breakfast down there.
Had a great time with all that came on the trip.
Cooled my feet off in the Bright Angel Creek, running along side Phantom Ranch, to prep them for the hike out the next day.  The ice cold water was just what my feet needed. If you have never been to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, I would highly recommend it, if not just viewing the Grand Canyon from the South Rim, it is all quite the site to see.

Relive 'Morning Hike' 

Relive 'Morning Hike'

No time goals of getting to the bottom, or any time goal of getting back to the South Rim. 

Training for this adventure was fun. A backpack with clothes and snacks as well as a hydration pack all weighing just about 15 pounds is what I brought with me. With the top of the canyon being colder, and a mile down warmer, I brought clothes that could be layered and wicked sweat. Only took my smartphone to capture video and photographs with.