So, it's been a week since I started experimenting with different shoes in an effort to alleviate the pain I'm experiencing in my left heel.

In between that time I bought some inserts; Dr. Sholl's orthotics for plantar fasciitis, to relieve the pain. I bought enough pairs to deploy them in all of the shoes I am currently wearing (accept for the Vionics which have their own orthotic built in); for work and play, more on that later. I was a little skeptical that they'd actually work. Boy was I wrong. After stepping into the shoes I started with; the Rincon 3's, I felt relief in the heel. I will say that they take a bit of getting used to due to the fact that the orthotics are stablizing and supporting the arch of the foot in a way that, for me, it isn't used to. I've worn them all week long, 2 days at school and during the holiday break. They are really helping.

I also went to get an x-ray taken of my left foot just the other day and am awaiting the results. I want to know exactly what is going on with this foot/heel before proceeding with any more experimentation. That said, I do want to report on the other pair of shoes I bought, the Vionic Men's Ansel Lace-Up Leisure Sneaker.

I bought the Navy Blue pair so they'd go with a majority of things that I wear. This shoe is interesting because of its unique orthotic. Not being used to this level of support, it is the first thing I felt when I put them on. Like the Dr. Scholl's inserts, there is a bit of a "learning curve" that your feet will go through as they get used to the way in which the built in orthotic works. I've worn these to work and have to say that they do help with the pain in my left heel.

Next "Steps"

For now, I think I'm going to keep both the Hoka and Vionic shoes dedicated to work and leisure. I enjoy wearing them in both environments. I bought 3 more pairs of the Dr. Scholl's inserts and plan on deploying them in my Hoka One One's, a pair of shoes I use to walk outside, and a pair of new pair shoes I will use on the treadmill (future blog post will focus on that purchase).

The journey continues. Left, right, left, right...