How to MacGyver SuperFeet

While I'm waiting for my newly-adjusted (pedorthist-informed!) orthotics to come back from the lab, I'm stuck in activity limbo. I have two pair of Naot sandals that I can wear without pain, and that's it. I can't even wear my running shoes, and for a while they were my go-to comfort shoe. 

It takes 2-3 weeks for the orthotics to come back, and then a week or more to adjust to them. I was feeling anxious about waiting all that time just to be able to go on a walk (much less a run) without hallux rigidus pain. Pedorthist Rachel to the rescue!

Rachel said she could add some padding to the SuperFeet inserts I currently wear that will mimic the posting that will be in my soon-to-come orthotics. We met at Potomac River Running in Reston and she "MacGyvered" my inserts while we all watched. It was an interesting process.

Rachel checks to see how much foam is needed.
She has a whole workshop in that black bag!

The red piece of foam wasn't enough for my toe so she added the green piece

We were going to add metatarsal pads,
but my feet weren't happy with them.
We decided to only make one change at a time
and keep them off for now. I can add them later at home.

After some foam addition, and then some sanding, the insert is ready

With the foam posting I can actually walk around in my running shoes without feeling the immediate toe pain I was experiencing without the posting. However, I can't go out for a long walk just yet. As with any new insert, it's wise to adjust to it slowly. I wore it for a couple of hours yesterday, a couple more today. Baby steps.