DDR: Where it went

[alessar]

You may have noticed I haven't been spamming the journal with DDR entries since July 18. The reason for that is I stopped doing DDR due to a foot injury, which as I reckon things, has just finished healing this week

Comments

[syrusb]

When I picked up DDR again I experienced a dull ache that would build into an almost debilitating pain as I went through the routines. It was coming from the muscle/tendon that stretches on the outside of your leg from your knee to under your foot.

Despite not being tired or winded I would have to stop because I just couldn't power thru the pain any more. Getting 60mins on the pad was impossible; I'd stop at 30mins which was pretty disgusting to me.

I needed new athletic shoes for the gym anyway, so I did a little research and went to New Balance where I knew I would be able to explain my issue and get a new pair that corrected my problem. I learned I have high outside arches so I need extra support to keep my tendons from over stretching. (I also learned a new stretch to help with my cool downs, yay.) I paid more for these athletic shoes (with orthodics) than I would normally but I also got lots of helpful information. Most importantly, I can do DDR and work out a full session without any pain.

I bring this up because you mentioned shoes; it may be you need a pair to accommodate your DDR sessions because like me you're not just doing it for fun, you're doing it for health. You may get the answers you need from a specialty foot store.

[alessar]

You have a metal hard pad, right? I use a softpad, so I do it sockfooted - so no arch support at all during. Though, the pad is really thick and it feels like it cushions ... I have considered wearing shoes while doing it though, since I have a spare pad now.

[syrusb]

Yes I got a Cobalt Flux pad because the soft/plastic pads just did not work for me. I hated how they would move and shift as I jumped and they always felt too flimsy. I tried a friend's foam pad and I didn't like the way it squished.

This could just be a difference between us, but I've never regretted going the extra mile to buy a metal pad. I never understood how people can function with the plastic pads.

[alessar]

I just never had the cash to go in on a hard pad when they were readily available. And I do like the cushy feeling of my Ignition pads...