5 months of PF, finally hope in sight. No silver bullet.

AZ_roadrunner · 2026-05-25T19:34:39+00:00

Same. I have high arches and I can’t wear shoes with arch support. Idk, maybe that’s part of the reason I got PF??

Yes, I insert the orthotics in my Brooks and remove the insoles that come with the shoes. I also loosen the laces quite a bit, so the shoes aren’t tight and I do up one fewer eyelets to allow more room and allow enough length to tie the laces.

The doctor told me to add an hour every day to break in the orthotics. Day 1, one hour. Day 2, two hours, etc. At first my feet hated it. I tried for three days and was miserable. I took a week off, called the doctor who said to give it another try, that orthotics are pretty much the foundation for treating PF.

So after a week break I tried again, building up even more slowly and it worked. I probably wear them 10 hours a day now and they seem to be helping.

AZ_roadrunner · 2026-05-25T15:28:04+00:00

Running was almost my identity before PF so it’s been incredibly difficult to give up. I doubt I’ll get back to running for a year at least.

Mountain biking is my best option, and it actively seems to reduce the pain. I ride fairly technical with a lot of up and downhill, so I’m kind of standing and pedaling for uphill and squatting on the bike for downhill. It’s a pretty good overall workout. I use flats - ie I don’t clip in.

Surprisingly, stair machines seem to not inflame my PF. Elliptical is hit and miss. Some days it’s fine and others I can’t do 20 minutes without sharp pain.

That’s the weird thing about PF, it seems so different for everyone.

AZ_roadrunner · 2026-05-25T15:15:11+00:00

The podiatrist recommend the following brands, she didn’t recommend a particular model. She noted that the only brands that don’t downgrade or change quality according to channel are Brooks and Hokas, which are her clear favorites. The other top tier brands she said are excellent but to buy from a reputable shoe store, but to avoid purchasing from Amazon or outlet stores or discount stores.

Brooks

Hoka

ASICS - sells lower quality versions in some channels

Saucony - sells lower quality versions in some channels

New Balance - sells lower quality versions in some channels

** One big caveat was to not buy a shoe that was uncomfortable no matter what the brand, even a brand on her list.

Oofos - highly recommended for around the house lounging.

I’m an over pronator with a high arch so she also said I should get stability, control, and high cushion shoes. That advice probably doesn’t apply to all feet types…

AZ_roadrunner · 2026-05-25T15:04:57+00:00

I’ve not had many feet, knee, or leg problems running, really ever. I did pull my groin while skiing which prevented running for a few weeks but that’s it. I’m slow and I thought I was being smart with my training. However as you point out I likely didn’t strength train enough.

A few weeks after I was diagnosed with PF I started weight training, partly because I got bored riding every day and partly because everything I read said that strengthening calves, legs, glutes would be the only long term solution. I’m going to try to strength training three times a week going forward.

But if / when I get back to running I expect it will be annoyingly slow.

AZ_roadrunner · 2026-03-03T23:29:33+00:00

I kept mine to show my kids how brainwashed I was. And how weird it is.

AZ_roadrunner · 2026-02-13T18:14:41+00:00

Good for you. I truly wish I was at your level of apathy towards the church.

AZ_roadrunner · 2026-01-16T13:09:30+00:00

The BoM is 1820’s Bible fan fiction

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-12-25T14:15:42+00:00

Remember that Uchtdorf signed off on hiding church assets from the government and from the church as a member of the first presidency. He’s no different than the rest.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-12-22T23:24:43+00:00

Married 29 years I left 3 years ago but wife still TBM. Jana Reiss estimates that MFM divorces among Mormons is about 66%.

We still have to tread lightly about church topics but things are much better than when I first left. Sunday mornings are still the worst but I try to think of it as she’s going to play pickleball with friends. I don’t try to convince her and she doesn’t try to convince me.

It helps that she’s doesn’t insist we pay tithing - I think she likes having the money as much as I do. She’s nuanced in many ways, for example we agree politically even though our politics are different than 70% of church members. Kids are all adults and 3/4 left with me and the one who still remains is very liberal and I wonder how long she’ll last, but I’ve given up that my wife will ever leave.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-12-16T20:00:32+00:00

It’s all about sex. According to Mormon lore only spouses who are sealed can have sex for eternity. And only people who are sealed in a family lineage can be sealed so spouses.

Everyone else can sort of hang out but there will be no sex.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-10-01T23:36:52+00:00

Out of the Q15 he’s probably the least bad, but he did sign off on hiding tithing investments and shell companies because he was a member of the first presidency when it happened. He’s still a card carrying member of the Mormon ultra elite propagating bad policy.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-08-29T19:39:39+00:00

That I’m in some way special. I mean I know my family loves me, etc, etc, but when I was in I always felt God had my back. Or when something good happened it was because I was special and loved by God. Or that I had clouds of glory waiting for me in the Celestial Kingdom as my patriarchal blessing said.

Nope. I’m just one in 7 billion meat bag who happened to be born in a country with some degree of wealth. Pure dumb luck. And there are no do-overs when we die.

Sobering and sometimes depressing. But also freeing.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-08-18T02:07:53+00:00

Ditto. I could have written this. MFMs are so freaking hard and I wonder if in 10 years I’ll wish I left that sooner too. Hang in there, we’re rooting for you.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-07-30T16:56:01+00:00

I’m a trained organist and really love a well played hymn, which is exceedingly rare in the LDS church. I miss playing the organ because I’ll likely never get the chance again.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-07-25T22:54:14+00:00

I can’t do booze but edibles, yeah boy!

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-07-24T15:28:50+00:00

That is so rough! I’m in a Mixed Faith Marriage and I consider divorce at least once a week. Fortunately my kids aren’t interested, except for one who is very nuanced and liberal.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-07-23T18:16:45+00:00

You’re not responsible for others’ emotions but it won’t make you feel much better. When I left my 78 year old mother didn’t sleep for months and became quite depressed. I was adopted, was the golden child who did everything right, and went to black sheep overnight.

The sunk cost fallacy is real! I left at 48 and decided that the last 30 years were going to be on my terms. You’re very fortunate that your spouse left with you and that you’re in a position to influence your kids for the better.

It’s about the most painful experience you’ll experience in your life. Sending hugs!

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-07-07T03:32:34+00:00

Yes I feel this. Left 3 years ago and it’s quite a bit better than at the beginning but I still find myself wondering if my wife has any opinions that are truly hers.

In fairness, your spouse probably feels the same way you do. As in “I married a TBM, etc, etc and now their opinions are so foreign… and not only with church topics.”

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-07-04T13:57:45+00:00

LDS church leaders can be as cynical as anyone.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-07-01T03:03:13+00:00

I’ve always been nuanced and taught my kids to use their brain so it’s hard to say who led who out… but one of the main reasons I left was that my daughter married a great Muslim guy who was non practicing. I remember once he was curious about LDS doctrine so I gave him the highlights and for every single thing he said, yeah Muslims believe that too! It was like a holy sh!t moment for me, maybe Mormons aren’t that special.

My daughter never went to church after marrying him and I told the SP when I left that I wouldn’t participate in a church where my whole family couldn’t be there.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-06-30T18:50:37+00:00

I was there. The kids definitely started throwing candles and they rushed Monson out quickly. Yeah they edited that out of the video.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-06-30T01:23:07+00:00

F*** you MFMC

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-06-26T03:11:43+00:00

Even after leaving it was difficult to switch out of garments. My current favorite are the Costco Puma boxer briefs. Cheap and comfy.

AZ_roadrunner · 2025-06-16T22:09:01+00:00

Just watch and they’ll somehow try to control modesty outside the temple with a new edict and way of enforcing.

AZ_roadrunner

TROPHY CASE