 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
I just read through this and wonder as its only been mentioned in passing - are the OP's feet warm enough in their boots. Cold feet can be quite uncomfy and might not help the condition. Maybe some boot warmers would help the comfort in the boot?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Thought my legs were strong but not thaaaaat strong! also she has to be carried on to the chair in front of me to go up, don't think you'd like that as I'm her dad 
Seriously though I do think you'll get sorted, I remember sometimes leaning forward resting on my ski poles just trying to stop the burning sometimes and resolved to get past it one way or another.
For info my boots were streched to fit high insteps, and moulded foot beds made so they do fit me well. Getting a bit older now but reluctant to change them as they do fit really well.
Also have big calf muscles which seem to add to the restriction if the cuffs are done up too tight on first runs, like you Michelle I use gentle runs to get warmed up with some nice cruising before cranking the boots up for more adventurous pace.
If the boots fit well I honestly think it's to do with circulation / heat / foot base strength that is causing it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
JackAbroad, what you need is this: http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=70884
I'm not an expert but sounds like you had your footbeds moulded in a weighted position and, in my experience, there aren't many "bootfitters" that can get that quite right by getting and keeping your rear foot in the right position through the process. Without an expert eye and some assistance, you end up with footbeds that just accept your feet exactly as they are, faults and all. I've always had mine made unweighted (where the footbed is sucked up onto your foot once put into the correct position). My feeling is that the problem lies with those footbeds probably not doing their job, which is to support your foot for the forces found in skiing as opposed to watching Ski Sunday standing on the sofa.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
ski3, on behalf of the baby... "I'm a baby get me out of here"
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
hi,
I have a similar problem, so have been reading this with interest. I've wondered if it's my boots, or the footbeds, or just me.
One thing I have noticed is that some days it is worse than others. I'm quite a nervous skier, and some days I find I'm skiing with my toes curled under, which definitely makes things worse. A sit down and a glass of wine always help, mainly I thing because it helps me relax.
good luck
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For those who tend to grip the base of the boots - try to think of lifting your toes towards the top of the boot.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oooops, it looks like I shouldn't have mentioned the back pack sorry no intention of highjacking this thread so hope people will just pick up for the original.
Also she aint a baby but just 4 this year and can quite happily tell me what she thinks and it's usually to go faster. I'll post seperately if you really want to debate it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
ski3, It's OK I think, as long as it isn't a FAT baby
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i have to say i had a pair of boots that used give me really painful soles of my feet and cramping after a couple of hours. I used to work for Salomon and worked in a ski shop as a bootfitter and no matter what i or others did, i just couldn't get them sorted. They were fine to wear initially and i had custom orthotics etc but the burning would come in and that was it...especially when not getting the blood pumping too much.
In the end i decided it was down to two things, the shape of the shell where it met over the top of my foot started to inhibit blood flow slightly and under flexion i could feel it on my very high arch (forget the exact term but something like an exploded cancanium?!?!?). it was slightly collapsing over my foot and pushing down over my arch and despite being well supported causing the sole of my foot to feel initially on fire then just slow sensation loss.
Changing boots ended up resolving my problems and the shell is now such a good fit that i can ski with them practically undone and theres good sensation and control still...
Definately take up Zookeeper's offer and it'll give you an excuse to get out to Cham too 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
I often have the sme problem Last boots as retro-adjusted by the SmallZooKeeper were absolutely fine after some grinding and blowing.
New boots as supplied by SZK are a little bitey early on, but smooth out over the day. He hasn't been given (yet) the chance to do session 2 on them as I want a few days in them first.
They are, in all other regards, Excellent.
Go see a good fitter. Only way forward.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| Quote: |
were absolutely fine after some grinding and blowing.
|
I'm sure that's what all SZK's laydeez say.
Sorry, I've already got my coat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Hurtle, tea + your post = new keyboard pls! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
mine too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
i think swiller has it nailed... sounds like the footbed has been made too aggressively for the foot, there are a number of solutions....
1 start from scratch,..probably the most effective way, either with a product made non weight bearing, semi weight bearing or by a really good tech weight bearing
2 see what you have and adjust it, remove rigidity from under the arch, the bed wants to support the foot but not block it
3 take it out and try an off he shelf product which may not push into the arch so much
4 take it out and go back to the stock insole, not ideal but may just work for you
good luck sorting it
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Only just picked up on this thread.
The only time I've had that problem (except just very mildly when boots were new) my boots were too big. I was doing up the catches excessively to prevent my foot moving in the boot, which crushed down my arches.
On the other hand - different makers seem to favour a particular foot shape (my feet seem to be Lange shaped). Perhaps you have the wrong make of boot?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
I get this problem too for the first runs of the day, and I have to start off skiing with my boots rather looser than I'd like, sacrificing some control (which is OK unless there's some nice fresh powder which is going to get tracked out before 10am...). I know that my boots are slightly too large for me (shell fit gives 3/4" behind the heel, and the 100mm last is a little too wide for my rather narrow foot). I'm currently working on trying to take up some volume in the boots so I don't have to crank down the buckles so hard. But I'm not really sure what the difference is - I presume cranking down the buckles is effectively reducing the internal volume of the boot, so how is this different from, say, duct taping some shimming material to the liner?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
In my case it definitely isn't plantar fasciitis, which I'm familiar with from running. Plantar fasciitis normally manifests itself as a severe pain around the heel - at least, it does among runners.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I had similar pain, solved by wearing my lower clips looser, I had them far too tight and was buckling from bottom of boot, rather than from top down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks again for the new ideas.
I don't think that it's plantar faciitis as the pain is in a slightly different area and other tests to try and prove plantar faciitis haven't worked.
I think I'm going to use the tennis ball idea (rolling my foot over it 45 mins a day), go and see the sports shop recommended above and also talk to them about whether I should keep my boots loose for the first few hours.
The ideas and support from everyone really has encouraged me to give it 100%.
Btw - these are the boots that I bought in Verbier a year last May.
http://www.geartogrow.org/stores/product/Rossignol-Exalt-X10-Ski-Boots-2009.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
I had problems with cramps when I first learnt, which were quickly solved by using custom insoles (I have high arches) & getting a proper boot fitting. However they came back a few years later but this time it was due to my (lack of) skiing style rather than the boots.
I used to ski with my weight very much on the front part of my foot, initiating turns with my toes, this caused my toes to scrunch up and tensed up my arches. This used to give me occasional foot cramp, and tired me out a lot as well. Since I changed to a better stance it hasn't been a problem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My feet used to cramp up, fixed by calf stretches, especially just before putting my boots on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
Have you tried adding a bit more salt to your diet? I had similar problems when doing endurance motorcycle events. My feet would cramp in the motcross boots, which aren't too different to ski boots. I added salted peanuts and mini pork pies to my breakfast. The cramps stopped 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cramps in the morning but not after lunch. Are you sure you are properly hydrated in the mornings. Dehydration and exercise are 2 of the three common causes of cramps (third is tension). Source Andre Agassi commentating at an Australian Open. If your pee is yellow, it is concentrated, a good sign you are dehydrated. If it is clear you are well hydrated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| abominable wrote: |
| Michelle wrote: |
| ski3 wrote: |
| also skiing quite a bit with my daughter in a backpack |
 wait for the backlash....  |
Here it is.
I heard of a case many years ago in the 3 Valleys, before most were born, of a father skiing with his baby in a back pack.
It was a cold day, father was not monitoring his child.
The baby gets colder quicker due to no exercise and loses body heat faster.
At the end of the day the baby had severe frost bite.
The baby lost toes and fingers.
Not only would the baby never ski, the baby would never have a normal life.
Gee thanks Dad, what else will you give me for Christmas, you selfish .......
Skiing with a baby in a backpack should be a criminal offence.
Go on a ClubMed or Mark Warner holiday- they will look after your baby for you. |
I've heard variations on that theme. Must be some truth in it but that particular story has done the rounds and ended up with leg amputations as an ending. Anyway, clearly, it's a bad idea. Not only the cold, I'm trying to remember how heavy mine were at 4 years old and what it would be like skiing around for long with that extra weight, extra instability, risk of a pre-release etc etc. Why isn't a 4 year old having a go for themselves anyway (unless impaired in some way)?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| abominable wrote: |
| Cramps in the morning but not after lunch. Are you sure you are properly hydrated in the mornings. Dehydration and exercise are 2 of the three common causes of cramps (third is tension). Source Andre Agassi commentating at an Australian Open. If your pee is yellow, it is concentrated, a good sign you are dehydrated. If it is clear you are well hydrated. |
I eat more salt than food, but dehydration could be involved somehow. Back home I drink 4 pints of water a day - on holiday, I don't drink so much water, mainly due to water costing 25 euros a 33ml bottle in the hotels.
Thanks for the idea though.
Has nobody got any comments on the type of boots I wear please? Do they seem ok, or are they a bit cheap? I paid about 300 euros for them in Verbier, but see that they're a lot cheaper in US and UK shops.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Quote: |
I don't drink so much water, mainly due to water costing 25 euros a 33ml bottle in the hotels.
|
I find that hard to swallow
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Hi all,
I'm back from Selva and, as promised, will let you know how the advice went.
Firstly, THANKS to everyone AGAIN for the help!
I went to Bruno's ski shop and the old man in the shop (not the rental place) did a new instep for my foot. I wasn't so impressed with the boys in the ski rental shop who gave me skis that kept slipping off on the first day. About 7 or 8 times each when I was just skiing along. The reason was that it was the boy's first day and he didn't know what he was doing - not impressed as it was a whole day wasted!!!
I did my boots up on the minimum pressure every morning and undid them on every lift - this really helped too.
The only problem I had really was when we used a drag lift several times and I could feel the burning sensation coming back, so I did my best to avoid those lifts.
In the afternoons, I could tighten the boots to the max and not feel too much discomfort, unless I was struggling on difficult slopes and therefore not skiing correctly. This shows that my technique was also part of the cause of the problems previously.
Overall, the pain was 10% of the previous levels and I can only remember having to stop once or twice in agony during the whole two weeks, probably because of my poor technique but that was improving with more and more practice.
Finally.....ONE MORE VERY BIG THANK YOU to everyone who contributed with suggestions and ideas - you helped make this holiday bearable. It was so hard to ski on the ice (not snow!!!) in Selva that I wouldn't have managed it without your help. Next time, I will go back to the likes of Meribel or even more likely, we will go to see a mate in Canada where they really know how to look after the slopes!
Cheers!
Nick
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| JackAbroad wrote: |
Hi all,
I'm back from Selva and, as promised, will let you know how the advice went.
Firstly, THANKS to everyone AGAIN for the help!
I went to Bruno's ski shop and the old man in the shop (not the rental place) did a new instep for my foot. I wasn't so impressed with the boys in the ski rental shop who gave me skis that kept slipping off on the first day. About 7 or 8 times each when I was just skiing along. The reason was that it was the boy's first day and he didn't know what he was doing - not impressed as it was a whole day wasted!!!
I did my boots up on the minimum pressure every morning and undid them on every lift - this really helped too.
The only problem I had really was when we used a drag lift several times and I could feel the burning sensation coming back, so I did my best to avoid those lifts.
In the afternoons, I could tighten the boots to the max and not feel too much discomfort, unless I was struggling on difficult slopes and therefore not skiing correctly. This shows that my technique was also part of the cause of the problems previously.
Overall, the pain was 10% of the previous levels and I can only remember having to stop once or twice in agony during the whole two weeks, probably because of my poor technique but that was improving with more and more practice.
Finally.....ONE MORE VERY BIG THANK YOU to everyone who contributed with suggestions and ideas - you helped make this holiday bearable. It was so hard to ski on the ice (not snow!!!) in Selva that I wouldn't have managed it without your help. Next time, I will go back to the likes of Meribel or even more likely, we will go to see a mate in Canada where they really know how to look after the slopes!
Cheers!
Nick |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Quote: |
Next time, I will go back to the likes of Meribel
|
to be fair to Selva, there's a lot of very hard snow everywhere at the moment and I have no doubt that Meribel is no exception.
Glad your feet survived! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
I wonder if more comfy feet will mean that the OP can now concentrate better on their technique and maybe this could be self fulfilling circle, better technique leading to more comfy feet - lets hope so. Glad you had a good holiday JackAbroad,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Megamum, I think you're right. At least I will be able to ski longer each day now, although the ice (especially in the afternoons) put a stop to me skiing as much as I wanted.
At least, thanks to the advice on here, I kept my interest in skiing up and will now look to book something in March - possibly Chamonix or one of the 3 valleys. I did progress a bit, but I know that after 2 weeks, I should have improved a lot more. Not being able to ski after 2pm was the main problem. I was confident on all the red slopes but the "hidden" ice patches always kept me erring on the cautious side and kept my off trying to ski the black slopes. Some very good skiers were really getting frustrated with the condition of the slopes.
Watching the amount of people struggling, falling and hurting themselves on the black slopes really put me off trying. I'm a careful and very slow skier, but need to really get more hours in to build up my technique, confidence and speed. I'm sure that I could have skied a black slope that was covered in snow, not blanketed with ice.
Anyway, at least I'm still keen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JackAbroad, glad you're still keen, but wouldn't say that Chamonix is an ideal destination for you. It is full of very, very, good skiers and although there are some "easier" areas there are better and more extensive easier areas in many other places.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Thanks Pam. What about somewhere like Lech or other places in Austria?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| JackAbroad wrote: |
| .... I know that after 2 weeks, I should have improved a lot more. Not being able to ski after 2pm was the main problem. |
... IMHO your main problem is not having lessons. you could come on in leaps and bounds in 2 weeks regardless of the conditions but if you don't have lessons then all you do is perpetuate your bad habits, fail to progress and thus lose confidence, Believe me I am the voice of experience here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
.... that is the most outrageous price I've ever heard of (unless you are going to say you stay in Courchevel, in which case I guess that's normal 