Thought I'd update / bump this. So the plantar fasciitis is still there but I am running 4 days a week (trying to get to 5). After trying to run in some really minimalist shoes (Brooks Pure Drift) and then a slightly more sturdy version (Brooks Pure Drift 2) that still had @ a 4mm stack height (heel / toe height difference) I have come to realize they just don't have enough cushion for me (esp when you catch a rock off in the marbles - not cool). I have kept an eye on Newton Shoes
Shop Natural Running Shoes for Men | Newton Running and picked up a pair of their Motion shoes through Running Warehouse as they had them for 20% off.
I have only run @ 20 miles in them but here are some thoughts for those that have read about them and might consider them:
Fit - fit is critical with these. I like my shoes a little big because I am a little wider than a D but not an EE, I bought them a 1/2 size big, and it was a mistake. The ball of your foot needs to line up with the center of the pads at the forefoot of the shoe, otherwise they are not comfortable.
Stack Height - aside from those goofy Hoka Running shoes these were about it for shoes with some real padding and minimal stack height. These are @ 4mm.
Cushioning: Semi firm
Thoughts - for me they are probably not a bad thing to run in for a while. They do (gently) force you to modify your stride and strike such that you land on the center of the ball of your foot, then let the heel down. I tend to run up on my toes, with a long stride - which at my size is a lot of force with each strike. These are forcing me to take shorter strides at a faster pace to turn the same times. It is different, but I am adapting well. I will say, and maybe it is just that the temps are up into mid 40's to mid 50's right now - my feet and knees feel much better, and I am attributing it to having shoes with some real cushioning as opposed to minimalist shoes made for guys who weigh @ 80#s less than I do.
In looking at the wear pattern that is starting to be established - my strike is definitely different and more as it should be - so they work as advertised.
I do think that their Energy Shoe line could be a better shoe ($55 cheaper) simply because the pads under the ball of the foot have been extended to the lateral edges of the shoe. To me this means they would (maybe) feel better just walking (the Motions feel weird - not like a normal running shoe - you have 4 very firm pads right under the ball of your foot) and would probably feel better when negotiating a tight turn (look at the difference of the pads across the ball of the foot on both and you will see what I mean).
I was not wild about forking out the $ for the Motions, but everything I have read indicates that I should get more miles out of them than most other shoes (hoping for @ 400 + miles). I got the Motions because I am a mild pronator and although I have been running in neutral shoes, I thought I'd give my feet the very best shot at healing up by getting a mildly corrective shoe.
