By my late 30s I could no longer just "gut it out" and pass the Army PFT. Had always maxed the pushups and situps but running- oy ! Started to have to run a few times a week. (Gotta remember, artillery guys don't run. We either get choppered or driven, so all that "on the left, sick call !" shit was for the infantry. Anyway, either by using lousy sneakers or bad technique, I ended up with bone spurs and plantar fasciitis in both feet. Had to use my dresser drawer pulls in the morning to "get started." Fortunately, a good podiatrist shot me with cortisone, gave sonic treatments and had me bring in all my shoes ! All my leather soled and leather Oxford styles were chucked or donated. Sneakers had to be running style, no more basketball, track or even cross training types. Shoes had to be identified as "walking shoes" which didn't look so good with suits but oh well. Then after he gave me a couple of handmade orthotics he said try the DrScholl inserts at Walmart even though he admitted they get kickbacks on prescription ones. Since the early 1990s, all my boots and shoes have inserts. Walmart has a machine that identifies which orthotic you need to get.
