I developed tendonitis in my Achilles about a month prior to NYC marathon. I ended up getting physical therapy and also saw an ART. My ART helped me. I ran a great race. Unfortunately, after taking off 8 weeks after the marathon from all running and cycling, when I try to run and cycle I still feel it in my achilles. It is not a sharp pain but a pain of pressure and warmness (hard to explain). I feel like sticking a pin in my heel and achilles to let the air out.
I am going to see my Ortho on Tuesday with the hopes that there is not too much wrong with me. I am slotted for Lake Placid IM this year. I am very scared I may not be able to do the race.
Has anyone experienced this feeling and do I have a prayer in doing this race in July?
I had the same set of circumstances a couple of years ago. You most likely have contracted Soleus and/or Gastroc muscles (calf). There is a great website and forum that is monitored by the folks that wrote “The Pain-Free Triathlete” and you can find several threads there about your problem and exactly what to do to fix it. I’ve never had ART performed, but I understand the self-treatment techniques (called Julstro) are similar and very effective. It worked for me anyway. No way I could have completed two Ironman distance races without that book. The forum can be found at www.julstro.com/18.html
Good luck with your training. Stay positive. You can make it.
My case turned out to be caused by an off-center heel counter in my shoe. Since you already have the problem, and seem to be basically successful in treating it, it may not mean anything in your case, but just make sure your shoes aren’t contributing to the problem. I was given new shoes (it never hurts to buy from a knowledgeable running store that worries about customer satisfaction), had good treatment, ran with a quarter-inch thickness foam lift for a few months, and recovered nicely…hope you are fully recovered in time for your big race.