Have you tried some kind of insole? I have custom orthotics that I had made when my p.f. was really bad (I had other foot problems as well, but mainly p.f. that wouldn't go away). I don't need to wear them anymore except with my running shoes. You might try some kind of OTC orthotics and then up your mileage a bit, see if that helps?

I just posted about this. I came back to running when my foot was more annoying than painful, starting out very slow.
I've been running less than two years, so six weeks off was a long time. I ice and stretch after, and do my stretches at LEAST three times a day. For me that's working, and I plan on doing a 5k on Thanksgiving.
Everyone's different, just remember not to be in too much pain, even with Advil and ice your body is telling you something.
Good luck!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by ericavisokey:
[b]Thanks Hikerchick. I forgot to mention that I already have custom orthotics (had them since 7th grade!), for my flat feet and pronation. However, the podiatrist said he thinks I need hard ones instead of teh softer ones I have, I just don't know if the hardness makes a difference and want to be sure b/c they are 500 $$$, not covered by insurance.[/b]<HR>

Who knows... you never know if you have a trustworthy doctor who is looking out for your feet, or who just wants the insurance money (I know, I'm not the most trusting person...). I have the hard orthotics, and they are fabulous. My insurance covered them, though. I don't have the p.f. problems now that I did then, but I remember after I slipped those puppies into my shoes, it was like walking on air. I felt I could walk forever! I don't wear them now except in my running shoes - if I run without them, I get shin splints. Not sure how that all works out, but there it is. IMGhttp://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif[/IMG]