Marathoner Impressed with Clyde's X1 Blade

Hi Clyde, I'm really impressed with the X1 Blade which you sent me earlier this month. The fit is perfect, no trimming needed, you're not aware of having it in the running shoe and it takes enough flexion out of the big toe joint for it to be absolutely pain-free, both during the running and in the day following. I'm moving outside to do some roadwork this week, and have every faith that the blade will continue to perform to expectations as I build up to marathon distance. Thanks for this excellent product! I have recommended it to running colleagues and my orthopaedic surgeon.
Best wishes , A. Green ______________________________

Clyde's X1 Blade - Great Toe Pain Gone!

Clyde,

  Here are the comments we discussed.

  I recently ran the Chicago Marathon and my Hallux Limitus pain (big toe joint pain) was worse than ever. When it was time to get back to running the pain was still there and I could not go more than a couple miles without enduring a lot of pain.

  I stumbled across your insert on the internet and ordered one for the left foot (the worse of the two). I received the insert promptly and was anxious to try it out.

  I ran 8 miles with it today and have NO TOE PAIN!!!


  I am huge believer in your product and am ordering one for the right foot as well. It is worth every penny. I was worried that I was going to not be able to run anymore.

  Thank you for making this amazing product.

 Sincerely, Jason

Clyde's X1 BladeCreates Momentum for Marathoner

Clyde, I wanted you to see his follow up question and my response. I hope that he decides to order one of your inserts, and that he is able to write up a review for you. Thanks, Bill From:H., BILL Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 7:12 PM To: 'max.lockwood@gmail.com' Subject: Re: RUNNING FOLLOW I read your question about the X1 Blade RM model and went for a run with one in my shoe to think about it. So far I had mainly just been paying attention to the lack of pain the X1 Blade gives me when I run. Yes the entire chain gets stronger. You can feel the extra boost of energy starting from the toes as you push off. This boost transfers to the rest of the foot and to the achilles as you pushoff and this energy creates more momentum for your legs. The X1 Blade RM also gives support to my hips and legs, more than my foot could without the insert with minimal strength in my big toe. The X1 Blade definitely allows me to run faster more easily for a longer length of time and protects my toe joint from further pain from bending excessively and putting all of my weight in the toe joint while running.

Running Faster with Clyde's X1 Blade RM Model

Max's Question? Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 1:07 PM To: H.,  BILL Cc: clyde peach Subject: RUNNING FOLLOW Hi Bill, my name is Max Lockwood. I write/do reviews for a running trade journal, Running Insight. I am doing a review of Clyde's Hallux Limitus/Rigidus blades/inserts. I am a runner who has suffered with Hallux limitus for years. Clyde just sent me some samples to try out. He mentions you as someone(a runner) who has benefited from using them to improve range of motion and ability of your big toe. As a fellow runner I would love to get some additional insight. * How many miles do you run with them per week? * What was your running like before using them? * Do you have a severe case of rigidus/limitus? * are you a competitive runner/racer? * have they helped with the condition in general or only when using them? Feel free to provide any additional info as it pertains to the blades, your running, advocacy of the product, etc. I look forward to hearing from you Regards, Max

Bill's Answer - Lockwood [mailto:max.lockwood@gmail.com

Max, I am glad to answer any questions you may have. I am 49 years old, and have been running for 4-5 years. I have had to have cheilectomy surgery to remove bone spurs from each of my first toe joints…my right foot was operated on in November of 2010 and my left foot in April of 2012. As I was recovering from surgery I had an incident with my left toe that created a turf toe-like effect in around July of this year, which set back my recovery. I was experiencing the pain of Hallux Limitus before I began running, so I am not sold that running is the cause of the condition. I still suffer from hallux limitus but have recovered from the surgeries and run with much less pain since the bone spurs were removed. The two surgeons I worked with both told me that I basically have no cartilage in the joints of my first toe. Therefore, with each step I have bone against bone if I try to bend my first to backwards more than 20 degrees, so I cannot run pain free. Since I cannot bend my toes backward, I get very little if any power or strength from my big toe. I have tried countless over the counter orthotics with little to no success, but I did settle on using a red cushioned orthotic from Spenco in which I was cutting out the first toe area. I am still using this in conjunction with Clyde’s inserts I have been using lately, by placing the Spenco cushion orthotic on top of the orthotic with the Morton’s reverse extension from Clyde. The shoes I use are Saucony Mirage II. I had been running in the Saucony Kinvara, but the Mirage adds some pronation control that keeps me from putting excessive weight on my big toe. To answer your questions: • I began marathon-type training in January 2010, and have been running an average of 50 miles per week since that time, except for the time periods I was recovering from surgery. I am running that many miles per week currently as well. I have run four marathons during this time. • Note that I just ordered one for my left foot in mid-September and a pair that I received last Friday. Running before using them since my surgeries has been difficult since I have the weakness that is caused by hallux limitus, since I cannot bend my toe backwards or push off effectively. I never realized how much this was impacting my speed until I used Clyde’s inserts. Running since my surgery has been less painful, but would become painful if I accidently bent it backwards too far. • I would say yes, I still have a severe case of hallux limitus. Both doctors I worked with stated I am at stage 3 of 4, with stage 4 being you cannot bend your toe back at all. I am grateful the bone spurs are gone, but I again I have no strength from my toes during pushoff until I ran with inserts from Clyde. • I am not a competitive racer. My marathon PR is 4:08. I love to run though. I know the inserts cannot give me speed, but I ran a 5 mile tempo yesterday with the inserts with reverse Morton’s extension in each foot and realized I was running faster more easily than I was without them just two weeks prior… 8:45 ish per mile two weeks ago verses 8:24 yesterday on the same route. There’s no way that increase is from conditioning I have gained in two weeks, it is just so much easier to run now that I have these inserts. • I am wearing the original X-1 Blade in my left foot during work hours and have been for the past month. I can definitely feel the relief and experience much less pain in the my left toe joint from walking during the day. I wear them with Rockport dress shoes that have a wide toe box. At night, I noticed I had much less pain than after walking all day without the inserts. I believe the insert is helping my toe completely heal from the surgery and the turf toe injury, and will protect me long term from excessive bending of the toe either through normal walking, or accidently such as if I step on a rock, tree root running on a trail, or turning too quickly. My foot is also more pain free after running when I use the inserts. I am sold on the version of the insert with the Morton’s extension for running. I believe the X-1 blade is a little too rigid if you run in them beyond 5 miles. For football, tennis or similar sport with quick change of directions I could see it being perfect, but on a long run the X-1 Blade made my foot and left toe more tired than usual. I don’t think you need the extra rigidity in the first toe for normal running. The version with the reverse Morton’s extension is not as rigid as the X-1. I think this thinner less rigid version is more preferable for long runs, as it still protects your toe, gives added strength support and doesn’t tire your feet over the long term of a long run. The cut out area for the toe is a must for hallux rigidus also. I want to see how the Morton’s extension version works when I get to runs of 18 miles+. I ran 13 miles last weekend and that is the longest run I have run so far. However, after trying countless of other inserts I could tell immediately I have hit on the right solution. If there is anything else you need let me know. Bill H.

User Loves Clyde's X1 Blade for Running

ontact Name: Bill H Phone: 336-xxx-3703 Email Address: bhxxx@valspar.com Comments or Questions: I just purchased on Sunday the "Pro" version of your X1 blade and LOVE it. I like to run, and have had surgery on both of my 1st toes to remove bone spurs, and recently had a turf toe injury to my left 1st toe, and the design of your othotic is perfect for me. I did just notice a different version of the blade with the reverse morton's extension. Does this blade allow the first toe to drop below the the other toes of the foot? From the photo on the website it appears the first toe is lower than the other toes. I like to cut out the first to of the removable foot sole of my shoes to let my first toe drop below the others, to reduce the degree that my foot bends backwards as I walk. I love the orthotic I have purchased for running so far, but thought the one with the reverse morton's extension might be nice for everyday walking use verses purchasing the "light" version, if the first toe is below the others.

X1 Blade Modification for Hallux Rigidus Runner

Question from  Andrew C. Phone: XXX66640XX8 Email Address: ausxxxxx@bigpond.net.au
Hi Clyde, Recently received an X1 blade (runner) for hallux rigidis. Have found the blade good up to 15km runs but noticing a lack of flexability above this mileage. Was wondering if I would effect the structural soundness if I was to cut a scallop out of the carbon fibre on the non supported side to allow my 'working' toes more flexability. Thanks in advance

Answer from Clyde to Andrew: Yes, you can modify any part of an X1 Blade with a pair of scissors except for the Blade. Be sure and  wet sand the modified area to seal the material back together.

X1 Blade Changes a Man's Life Who Suffered Hallux Rigidus

Contact Name: Tim D. Phone: 513-XXX-XXXX Email Address: tim8557@yahoo.com
Comments or Questions:
 I recently ordered and received, more quickly than I imagined, an orthotic you make for Hallux Rigidus you call the X1 Blade.
  This has been an incredibly painful 30 year ailment for me. I was at the point that only very wide shoes could even be worn comfortably, and even then it was painful. I recently gave up and went to see an Orthopedic Podiatrist who explained what I have, not a bunion as I had thought for years.
  He mentioned an orthotic may help, but from a surgical standpoint he wanted to fuse the large toe joint. I was a bit taken aback.
  Your orthotic has changed my life. I am now walking with my small dog 2 1/2 to 3 miles daily. It used to be a block or two.
   I just wanted to thank you for your incredible service and offering a product, that for at least now puts me back into a somewhat normal lifestyle.

  Tim D. West Chester, Ohio

  Your welcome Tim!  Clyde