Get a recommendation on a podiatrist who treats runners. If it has been like this for 8 months and you've run marathon on it I wouldn't think it is too serious but it won't hurt to have a professional look at it.

I did a lot of research on-line when I had problems with mine and I don't remember reading about the symptoms you have described.

It is entirely possible that, although you claim flat feet...that the shoes you are using are getting TOO MUCH in the way of what your body wants to do naturally...for one thing...both of the shoes you mention have REALLY HIGH HEELS...if you are as flexible as you say...then you are limiting the natural motion of your feet with such shoes...

You might try a pair of "plain old running shoes"...some with just a bit of cushioning and little or no support bells and whistles...you can get a cheap pair of serviceable running shoes at www.vitruvian.com...check out the recent thread on those shoes...I don't own any yet, only because I have four pairs of unused shoes still waiting in my closet...anyway...you can try the vitruvians for about $30 or so, if I recall...if that doesn't help...you still have a good set of yard and fishing shoes... ;-) (don't get me wrong...I am not saying specifically vitruvians are the answer...they are just the cheapest answer to finding a cheap pair of basic running shoes that I know of...you won't find Nike, Asics, NB, etc. for that kind of money...even on Ebay...)...

Having said ALL OF THAT...this would be my approach to the problem...but keep in mind this is based solely on my interpretation of the "facts" surrounding your issue, as read in your post...the reality is that there may be more serious issues at work than simple equipment choice...find someone WELL-VERSED in running biomechanics (and cycling as well, for that matter...it may be your cycling set up is informing your achilles issue), running injuries, etc...that may be an orthopod, physical therapist, or other...make sure they aren't just general folks, though...too often the general orthopods or PTs don't understand the demands of athletes...nothing worse than a supposed "specialist" like an orthopod telling a budding weekend athlete that they "should never run again,"...don't laugh...this happens more than you'd think....

As far as the cycling carryover...check for worn cleats, particularly if you use speedplays...when those get worn they allow excessive ankle roll during the pedalling motion...nothing major by itself...but when repeated several thousand times over the course of a week's rides...that adds up to potential problems...also...just simply your cleat alignment...or whether you might be a candidate for wedges (like the Lemond LeWedge)...as I said...there are many possibilities...probably too many for you to sort through in any meaningful way without risking further problems...get thee to a specialist...

TriBriGuy,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. A couple of responses to what you mentioned.

I didn't know how high those heels were on my shoes. Does that mean using insoles wouldn't really help? I would think the high heels would help prevent the achillies problems I'm having, and that allowing for my natural flexibility to take over would cause the strain, but maybe if they were stronger I could see the benefit. I guess this is where I need to look into running barefoot seriously (albiet slowly at first).

As for how much stability I need, I feel when I take the Adrenalines beyond 8 miles, I feel my form breaking down (perhaps its in my head), but on the Addictions, I feel it hold up just fine.

I have tried a plain old pair of running shoes, the Brooks Dyad which is a cushioning shoe only for those with lower arches. It was using those that I first noticed the issue.

I've always had a sneaking suspecion that it was something more at hand here than equipment selection. I have bought shoes until I'm blue in the face without much to show for it.

Thanks for your input. Know of a good running podiatrist in the Hampton Roads area?

Is there any swelling? If it is achilles tendonitis there isn't a lot of pain involved so it's easy to keep going. I think bad things can happen like bone spurs or something.

When I had this last year it was a gritty feeling like dirt in the sheath. I happened to look at my heel after a couple weeks of this and noticed the gritty achilles was twice the size of the normal one. I figured out with some experimenting that the bike played a big part. I did ice, NSAIDs, a couple of weeks with no running or cycling, got new bike shoes with shims, started back slowly and spread out my long bike and long run days instead of doing the Saturday, Sunday thing. This went on in March and early April of last year and I still made IMCDA.

I don't know if that's what you have but the accordian thing sounds like what I called the gritty feeling. I was told the longer I waited to rest it the longer it would take to get rid of and increase the chance of complications.

Hope you get it taken care of!

Ok.. As a doctor myself that treats runners that can't run anymore before of pain, I will tell you to not ignore the signs. This is your body telling you that something is not right. The muscles are tight, and not working normally. Could be for a lot of reasons. Prevention is the key here. trust me. Being injured before myself and treating so many injured runners, I love working with the ones that come right away. My best advice is to tell you 2 things: first find out what is causing this. It could be your insoles or shoe, but it could be so many more things. Find a sports PT or DC or podiatrist that can watch you run and assess you. My second piece of advice is to get that calf loosened up. ART is the best way to address that. We have the ability to work the deep posterior calf muscles, work the achilles, get some blood and oxygen back to the area and prevent scar tissue formation. it will help your flexibility tremendously. trust me, i know what I am talking about..

On a last note, I ran track wednesday and felt that same tightness afterwards. Well my PT worked on me thursday and it's gone now..

Ask Francois about now......

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Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com