Arch pain, spin issues
Hey, I’m just looking for some advice on what I should do next or if anyone has had a similar experience and if so, what worked for them (new boots, insoles, blade adjustment, etc.)
To give some background, I am 29 y/o. I am also pretty tall (5’10”) and weigh approx. 150+ at a healthy, athletic weight. I skated for about 3 years when I was a kid (7-10 y/o). I recently started skating as an adult again this winter and so, this would be my third go at it as an adult (life events have continuously tried to tear me away from this sport but I am stubborn lol)
My first go as an adult: I was 20 but only skated for about one adult LTD six week session. At that time, I was skating in Riedell strides and working up through Adult level 3 skills. I had absolutely no issues with these skates and don’t remember even having a break-in period with them.
My second go as an adult: I was 26-27 and skated for about six months in Riedell Motions with MK Pro blades, which were fitted by a professional skate tech to my foot shape and size, etc. During this time period, I retook adult 1-3 and then completed adult 4-6 before I was unable to continue skating at that time. Again, I had no issues and no noticeable break-in period. I remember my spins being very easy and I had absolutely no trouble finding my rocker.
Now: at the end of February, I started seeing a private coach to get back into skating, and hopefully compete in the adult track. We were able to pick up where I left off last time and I’m currently working on adult pre-bronze skills. I am still in the same Riedell motion/MK Pro combo skates which are still very stiff and I have only had sharpened TWICE. However, now any time that I’m skating for either long periods of time and/or working on skills where I am down in my knees for long periods of time (crossovers, edges, basically everything lol), I get excruciating arch pain. This subsides very quickly once I’m “out of my knees” or once I get off the ice. I am also having the WORST time spinning this go-around and my rocker apparently does not exist to my brain anymore.
My coach says it’s normal for it to take some time to find your rocker after coming back and is going to ask around about the arch pain for me. However, I wanted to get some additional feedback because 1. It’s pretty frustrating that spins felt so good and natural to me the last time around and now are basically my worst (and least favorite) skill and 2. with skate fit, the more input on different personal experiences with different brands, feet types, arch pain, etc. the better!!
My feet have pretty (maybe even very) high arches, are slightly wider at the toe than the heel, and my foot shape I believe is “Greek” (my second toe is longer than my big toe and they slope down from there ). I think my feet are medium width overall.
I’m not specifically in the market for new boots yet but considering the fit issues and arch pain, it’s something I might look into soon. I am currently working on single sal, single toe and single loop and if I buy new boots, I would like them to be able to last me through most of my doubles as an adult.
If anyone has ever experience something similar, any recommendations on what to do next would be very much appreciated! 😁