Restarting question (post-race, post-injury)

The only suggestions I can offer are the obvious.  Stay away from running hills, slow your pace and concentrate on your heel strike.  Maybe you can put  alittle more time on your bike.  Isn't it Hal Higdon who states that you can train for a marathon by putting in miles on a bike. 

Good luck! 

-Michael

I feel your pain (literally).  I just came from the podiatrist yesterday and got a big nasty cortizone shot in my heel.  For some reason I can run for hours with only mild discomfort, but 90 minutes of soccer caused my plantar fasciitis to flare like mad.

I've had orthotics for about 8 years now.  I used to wear them all the time, but then switched podiatrists and he said that the goal is to have my feet in good enough shape that I only need them for exercise of a really hard day on my feet.  My feet have been good enough that I just leave them in my running shoes.  If you wear women's shoes, it's pretty limiting to find shoes that work with orthotics.

I also checked with my podiatrist about running shoe recommendations.  The classic advice about arch shape and foot strike are different if you're running with orthotics.  In my case, I naturally over-pronate so I would want a stability shoe.  However, the orthotics force my foot into a neutral strike.  I brought my worn shoes into the podiatrist and he showed me what to look for in new shoes and recommended Asics as his preferred brand.  With his advice I felt comfortable enough to order my new shoes online and saved about $30 over what I would have paid in the local shop.

Good luck with your feet...if they don't feel like they're getting tons better, keep going back.  There's lots they can do for you. 

Sore feet suck.

Debi