Achilles Update
It’s now been 10 days since my last real run and I’m still not sure what is going on. By “going on” I mean whether or how much I’m going to be able to run this fall. As you can probably imagine, it’s just about killing me and I’m having a hell of a time thinking about just about anything other than my achilles.
I’ve been injured a few times before, but this time is a little different. When I got achilles tendinitis in 2004 (pre-blog) and when my knee/IT band side-lined me in late March 2008, I knew something was very wrong. I remember the injury being painful pretty much all the time – running (of course), walking, stairs, strength training, tender to the touch, etc. This time though, I actually feel fine nearly all the time. Other than that first attempt at running the morning after my 27 miles, I haven’t had any “pain” at all. Sometimes my achilles feels a little tight, but really nothing more than I would expect for a distance runner.
So, that lack of symptoms emboldens me – I start thinking that it’s healing up quickly; I can run; I will be fine for my scheduled races. Then, I try to run. Like I did Monday night. When 10 minutes into an easy, flat run, my achilles tightened up and I walked home. No pain, but it wasn’t right.
Yesterday I went to have some A.R.T. Dr. Ben came highly recommended by my LA endurance sports sources. He examined me and did some ART treatment. His conclusion: there’s a little inflammation, but it’s nothing too bad; I might be able to get back at it soon. Pretty much what I suspected, but it was good to hear it from a pro.
Now what? I give it a few more days and keep my fingers crossed. I’m not going to run again until at least after my next appointment with Dr. Ben on Saturday. Then, I’ll take it from there.
Don’t count me out just yet, but it’s definitely not looking good.
to be continued…
Indoor bike – November 1
Time: 1:30
Swim – November 2
Distance: 3,280 yards (3,000 meters)
Time: 1:02
Indoor bike – November 3
Time: 45 minutes
I’m no doctor and can be an idiot when it comes to treating injuries but why not try and run through it? I have two achilles that are always a little sore for the first 15 minutes or so of a run and then they are fine. I’m older than you so I’ve reached the point where I accept that I am going to be sore or have issues in some part of my body all the time (back, achilles, calves, etc.)
Listen to your body and keep your head in the game!! You’ve gotten through injuries before, and this doesn’t sound as serious. Have you tried compression socks? I am a new convert.
Random question- I am going to be in LA in December and am planning on running the X-terra trail run down near Newport- do you recommend trail shoes?
Shit man, I’m sorry to hear that. You’re doing the right thing though…you know you’re body and you know when something’s off, so listen to that. Better safe than sorry.
And listen, if you miss the dirt roads during your down time, grab a mountain bike and hit the trails with me some time.
Hope that’s not the case though. Best of luck Josh.
I feel like I am going through the exact same thing except mine is my knee. It is just not right when I run but other then that there is no pain. I am trying to make the decision about whether or not to just run through the pain since it goes away when I stop. I have not really pushed it yet but that is my dilemma and it sounds like yours too. It does not seem like a real injury, so should I treat it that way? I really hope that you get back because I was really looking forward to reading about the 50 miler.
well, i think you are doing the right thing. i will say though that as a long time reader of your blog, you still seem to do pretty well with the injuries. I hope it’s not serious. keep your head up!