Product Review: RxSorbo Insoles

A while ago I was contacted by RxSorbo insoles regarding trying out their product.  Since my feet are troublesome, I didn't hesitate to accept.  Of course, I do have my own custom orthotics made by my podiatrist, but it wouldn't hurt to try other forms of foot comfort.  *Plus, read on for a giveaway...*

*Note: My feet are very strange and particular to certain shoes/insoles, etc.  In fact, ALL feet are different, so what might work/not work for me may work for someone else.  Use whatever feels right for you.

Product Description:

Sorbothane®, a one-of-a-kind visco-elastic polymer, was first introduced in 1982.  Primary applications included the development of shock absorbing insoles for the athletic and orthopedic markets.  Since its introduction Sorbothane® has been used in many varied energy absorbing product categories.  Sorbothane® Inc. engineers supplied the NASA design team with a unique Sorbothane® isolator to protect shuttle cameras during launch.  The Liberty Bell was successfully moved using specially designed Sorbothane® isolators.  When Wilson® Sporting Goods needed a superior shock absorber for their new line of high-tech baseball gloves, they turned to Sorbothane®.  Most recently, engineers have devised a series of colossal "ball-in-box" Sorbothane® dampers designed to dissipate wind energy in the new Air Force memorial. 

Sorbothane® is the only insoles material that absorbs up to 94.7% of impact shock; and unlike standard insoles, which can bottom out and lose effectiveness, Sorbothane® Insoles retain their support and comfort, month after month.  Lightweight and durable, they also breathe, which makes for a much cooler insole.

Sorbothane® Ultra Work Sport™ Insole

"A performance replacement insole featuring a cupped heal and molded arch for stability along with Sorbothane® inserts for foot-strike protection.  The Ultra Work Sport™insole works well in athletic shoes, work shoes and boots."














Sorbothane® SorboAir® Insole

"Designed for the fitness minded, SorboAir® insoles are 100% air-infused Sorbothane® from heel-to-toe.  Contoured, lightweight support and superior Sorbothane® comfort and protection."














My initial thoughts:

* Oooo, they're squishy!

* They seem really sturdy, compared to other gel insoles. 

* They actually fit in my shoes!

Now for the running test...

The first thing I noticed once I slipped these insoles in my Brooks shoes was that they are a little thicker than my normal insoles.  My feet felt more cramped and I had to loosen the laces quite a bit.  No biggie, I thought.  During the run, I couldn't really notice a difference comfort-wise, however, towards the end of three miles I did notice that my feet were getting a little numb.  Are my shoes still too tight?  I loosened the laces some more and kept going, but my feet didn't feel any better.  Very strange.  

The next night I tried the Ultra Work Sport™insoles and had that exact same problem: numb feet.  

So I decided to just try these insoles in my regular walking shoes and guess what? No numb feet!  In fact, my feet feel amazing using these insoles for walking or standing for long periods of time.  The cushion is just right and my feet don't feel as fatigued as they do with the normal insoles shoes come with.  Now, I regularly use the Ultra Work Sport™insoles in my walking shoes because they are a tad bit thinner/lighter than the normal SorboAir® insoles.  

Pros:

Excellent for walking shoes

The material is extremely sturdy & flexible

Insoles do not have a funky smell 

Catered sizes means the perfect fit

Feet (and shins) feel less fatigued

The material bounces back: enhanced durability

Cons:

Insoles are a little "heavy"

Insoles are rather thick and shoes must be loosened a bit

(For me: numb feet while running)

I've tried other insoles for my walking shoes (i.e. Dr. Scholl's) but after a while, the material goes flat and it doesn't support my foot anymore.  The RxSorbo insoles have been holding up a lot better and I can see them being a great investment for long-term wear.

Here's a chance to score your own pair of Sorbothane® Ultra Work Sport™ Insoles! A giveaway!  One person (male or female) will get to try out these insoles courtesy of RxSorbo.

Here's the scoop on how to win:

(1 comment = 1 entry) 

"Required" entry:  
Visit the RxSorbo site and tell me what product tickles your fancy (1 entry)

Additional entries: 

•  Become a follower and let me know in a comment (1 entry)
• Link this giveaway on your blog, Twitter (include @RunZoeRun), or Facebook.  Let me know in a comment (1 entry each, 3 possible)
• Become a Facebook fan of RxSorbo Insoles on Facebook (1 entry)

That's a total of 6 possible entries... 
The giveaway will end Friday 6/4, winners announced on Saturday the 5th.  RxSorbo will ship the merchandise directly to the winner. Simple as pie!

**Note:  All reviews are based on my own personal experience with the specific product that I was provided with.  I received these products free of charge from RxSorbo and was not compensated for my review. Product in giveaway provided courtesy of RxSorbo Insoles.**

Beat the Bridge 8K Recap

First, let me just say that this was is kind of my "redemption" race.  Two years ago at the Beat the Bridge '08, I totally bombed it.  Trav and I did not beat the bridge, we walked tons, and basically freaking died at the end.  That is when I realized that I was not in fighting shape anymore (like I said in my last post), and I seriously started training.  My "first" race back in the game was supposed to be the Jingle Bell Dash in Dec. 2008...but due to a crazy snow storm, I couldn't get my car up my neighborhood's hill and had to miss the race (I hate hate hate missing races).  So, next up was the March 2009 St. Paddy's Day Dash...and I had fun!  But of course, it snowed DURING that race, and I was a popsicle at the end....and thus, I became a runner/racer again...and I haven't looked back since. :)

Back to this year's Beat the Bridge.
I get super excited about this race because 1) it's for a cause that's dear to me, 2) it's sponsored by my beloved Nordstrom peeps and 3) it's on my college campus.  Going into this race this time around, I just wanted to beat the bridge (duh) and enjoy everything else.  Mission complete.

The first two miles (until the bridge) I gave it all I could (8:42 and 8:37 pace).  After crossing the bridge (and trying not to get my awesome Lunars stuck in the metal grating), I walked a little to get my heart rate back down.  I felt great!  Perhaps I was imagining Goober "running" too.  There were a couple of runner dad's with their infants in jogging strollers on the sidelines, probably cheering for Momma.  I thought to myself..."that's Trav and little Goob next year!"

The last three miles were at a decent pace, and I wasn't really out of breath.  However, I found the dude-I-want-to-chick-at-the-end because he totally turned around for the out-and-back before the actual cone.  Good going, "guy in the Misfits shirt," you've been targeted.  He seriously didn't look like he was doing well, and of course, about a quarter mile before the finish I caught up to him and he actually started to walk!  Heh heh.  That's what you get...

Finishing strong!

I picked up the pace a little more for the last mile, and I tried my best at my finish line kick.  Crossed the line and saw Trav smiling at me.  Yay! 

Side Note: Trav was an awesome race photographer for me, and I hope he knows that it means a lot when he attends my races!

After this race, Trav and I like to walk around campus and reminisce a little.  It was gorgeous out, and the campus was amazing.  My old Biz School has a new building going up, and it's so awesome!  The architecture is right up Trav's alley and we were admiring it for a while (it opens in the Fall and I can't wait to visit!).  These walks make us both miss school.  A little.  Maybe more?  A heck, I want to get my Masters....

So there you have it!  Goober's 4th race!  :)  Bring on the next!

Final Stats:

Mileage - 4.97

Time - 45:11

Overall - 2330 out of  5427
Division Place - 234 out of 731 (F25-29)
Sex Place - 903 out of 2973
Pace - 9:06

I'm Going to BEAT That Bridge!

That Bridge has NOTHIN' on me!  

This will be my third year in a row running this awesome race to benefit JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), sponsored by Nordstrom.  Diabetes sucks, period.

Actually, two years ago at my first Beat the Bridge is where I realized that I was not in the same "running shape" as I used to be.  This race really hit me hard and I started to run/train again.  And, unfortunately, that first year I didn't beat the bridge...in fact, I got to the bridge and the stupid bridge arms went down with red lights flashing....THAT close.  Pooey.

Last year, though, I dominated that bridge. :)

And even at 14.5 weeks along with Goober, I'm going to dominate that bridge again tomorrow. ;)  (Or should I say "we?")

At a Softball Game...

Trav's playing with his team, the ACME Ball Squad. I'm sitting on the
bleechers waiting for the game to start. It is sunny and gorgeous and
the sound of the bat hitting the softball is a great sound. All I need
now is my running gear and Gus II. That will be later, I hope.
Last night was Run #3 with Jeff: 2.73 miles! He's doing well! I ran
the extra .27 miles to make it an even three for me. Here's what the
sunset looked like the other day...

Oh no! Another Little Piggy Lost Its Helmet...

Man down!  Man down!  Little Piggy casualty number two.

I currently don't have a toenail on my second toe on my left foot because of the New Balances that hated me and gave me a lovely black nail (and this was a WHILE ago).  Well, because of causes still unknown (but possibly related to the neuromas in my feet), my middle left toe is now helmet-less.  And for no reason.  I think it's competing with the second toe.  This isn't the first time that this nail has decided to just fall off without warning; this happened about 4 years ago too.  Weird, huh?  I'll spare you the pics, because my feet are straight up gross, and my nekkid toes look funny.

I wonder where the term "little piggies" came from anyway?  Is it because kids' feet look like sausages?  The meaning would not be the same if they were called "little hippos" or "little warthogs."  Hmmm.  Something to ponder...

Night Ninja Runner & her Trusty Sidekick

I've mentioned my friend Jeff before in posts.  He is Trav and my friend, and he lifts weights with Trav regularly in our garage.  Well, Jeff's been on a crazy diet to lose some weight and hasn't been able to lift with Trav.  In fact, if Jeff were to take a pregnancy test, I think it might turn out positive!  Ha ha!  He was doing the crazy hgc hormone diet...and it actually worked for him.  He's lost 42 pounds!

So, Jeff challenged me to run with him tonight.  Ok!  Yes, he may have had a few drinks while at a dinner party with Trav, Liz, E and me, but that was probably the reason behind the challenge.  I think he may have thought I would forget the challenge after the party...nope!  When Trav, Jeff and I returned to my house...the run is on!

And Jeff didn't YAK!  I'm impressed.  We walked, jogged, walked, jogged, etc.  He did really well.  We ended up going 2.31 miles in 32:38, with an average pace of 14:08/mi.  Not too bad for a guy who doesn't run at all!

Here's a pic of Jeff and myself after our one mile run way back in May of last year:

We were trying to be as "big as possible"

And here's a goofy pic from before our run tonight:

I'm a ninja, he's wicked retahded.

BOO YA JEFF!  And congrats dude.  Great run. :)