The thermal/mechanical/chemical solution

My right calf has been sore and tight for over six weeks. It feels OK when I am running (I even did my 50K with it), but it hurts most other times and causes plantar fasciitis pain, especially in the morning. I tried the obvious things like stretching, ice, and cutting back on mileage, but those things have not made the pain and stiffness go away. Now I am using a more comprehensive around-the-clock approach that is actually working:

Day time: Stick-on disposable hot pads relax muscles.
This was a recommendation from Kelly of the OCTR.

Night time: Cardboard boot keeps achilles stretched while sleeping.
I found this suggestion on the internet in one of those doctor sites.

All the time: NSAID tablets reduce swelling for faster healing.
This was a recommendation from Bill Ramsey of the OCTR.

These three steps take very little time, much less than administering ice or stretching. After several days of this routine, my calf is feeling normal again and the PF is almost gone. The daily cost is minimal, too - about the same as one gallon of gasoline.