I was running yesterday at an easy pace 8 miles into a 13 miler when out of the blue I took a step and it felt like someone twanged a guitar string in my lower calf within minutes a bruise appeared in the spot. I stopped running, of course and was able to get some ice and ice it down and walk home. It does not hurt to walk today and the achilles tendon is not tender to the touch only the bruise. I am preparing for IM Wisconsin and am freaking out. Has anybody heard of an injury like this? How serious is it and how much time should I take off before trying to run again. This really caught me off guard there was no warning and my training had been going well I didn’t feel overtrained or otherwise fatigued or achey.
Search for a thread titled ouch my calf hurts or something like that. This might have a good explanation for you.
Best of luck.
Norm -
Sounds like a possible plantaris tendon rupture (small little guy runs along the lateral aspect of the Achilles) - google it. Best of luck!
Norm…
it is impossible to diagnose over the net, but with what you describe it could be as simple as a slight tear (depending on the size and location will dictate the time of recovery). If you had busted up the achilles you probably would have heard a pop and it would have required A LOT more than ice to repair.
IMW is still a bit of a ways off, it is important for you to rest that leg and not subject it to more injury. If it was my leg I would get it checked out. Some good deep PT (usually EMS or Ultrasound) can help…but once again without seeing it/touching it/feeling it, I am stabbing in the dark with what you need.
One thing I would be REALLY careful about would be deep tissue work on the bruised area. I say this because after the race the bruise won’t be there, but the injury will still be there deep down. Just remember the spot and be careful and have TLC on that area not abuse.
I have an area on my lateral quad from a ripped muscle that I sustained during a race, I ended up duct taping the muscle (really stupid by the way) and suffering through the event. Now long term damage is a huge bump in the muscle and a very odd appearance to the quad. When I ripped it I could feel the pull and loss of power right away, instant bruise that lasted about 5 weeks. I used ARNICA on the bruise (no clue why/how this works, it just does) and ice/rest/wrapped the injured muscle.
If you have an A.R.T. practitioner in your area, that is who I would see (of course I am biased). Whomever you have look at it, get it checked and REST.
Good luck with it!