Hear me out. So, during 2005 I was training for NYCM and after an 18 mile run I was suffering from first acute PF and then after a few days, chronic PF. (Had to drop out.) I kept running, albeit slowly, and used ice, heat, exercise, rest days, stretching, the "sock", etc., etc., etc. all to no avail. My feet still hurt 9 months later. I was doing maybe 25-30 mpw, but I could still run.

But, a funny thing happened. I got serious about running NYCM on 11/5/06 and increased my training. Somewhere along the way I noticed that my feet stopped hurting. I was probably running 35-45 mpw at that point.

So, I ran the marathon and since then I have had a hard time recoverying. I got a blood blister under my right big toe which put me out for a week, and then I started back slowly, with some push-back. My mileage is again about 25 mpw (or less) and I just noticed that a slight case of PF is back.

I compared notes with someone else and they said that the some issue arose with their hamstrings. Less miles they were tight and more miles they didn't bother.

So, it would appear to me that there is a "sweet spot" (like in tennis) except it is the reverse, more like a "pain spot" that you can get into. Take it for what it is worth. I would recommend that anyone with PF make sure they are running slowly enough for their conditioning and then increase mileage. Speed will come.

Let us know how it works for you!