[pct-l] Plantar Fascittis

[Susan Alcorn]

Hi Becky,
I, too, understand your concern, but I imagine you'll be okay if you do several 
of the things suggested by others. My first time with plantar fasciitis was 
really painful--and I seem to remember holding my foot in a bucket of ice water 
a couple of times a day (this was not fun!), rest, massage, etc. I was careful 
to have a cloth under my foot when in the shower, not go barefoot, etc. However, 
I am a terrible patient, so I don't often do many of these things anymore. When 
I start feeling any soreness, I stop going barefoot and go back to the stretch, 
gentle massage, and icing with an icepack (or can of frozen o.j.). I also wear 
custom orthotics.  

I have found that the difference between walking on pavement vs. trail is like 
night and day. I can take a few steps on the one and then the other and feel 
pain vs. no pain. The PCT is generally not paved and the uneven surface is 
better than a totally flat one. 

I have section-hiked the PCT and also hiked hundreds of miles on paved roads 
elsewhere. 
Happy trails,
Susan Alcorn
 
Shepherd Canyon Books, Oakland, CA 
www.backpack45.com and backpack45.blogspot.com
http://www.examiner.com/hiking-in-san-francisco/susan-alcorn

Publishers of Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine; Camino 
Chronicle: Walking to Santiago and We're in the Mountains Not over the Hill: 
Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers.