Sore Achilles - bike related?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have chronic Achilles tendinitis. It usually crops up as soon as I add any speed work to my run training. So this year I have only done slow steady run training. But it has cropped up recently

Over the weekend I noticed that it was sore after riding my TT bike. But it has not been sore after riding my road bike. I use speedplay pedals on both.

Has anyone noticed Achilles soreness after riding in a TT position? Or using speedplay pedals?

2

cleat position and roller might help
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3

No answers, but this year I started doing a weekly bike TT. Never have before. On group rides my cadence is low 70-80. When I time trial/race cadence is 90-95ish, which I guess is good. My speed is up (sorry no watts, no PM yet), but I notice my calfs are really tight now the day after the TT. On both sides. With running I would occasionaly get plantar facia on one side, but it would go down when running miles decreased.

This achilles thing feels different and is on both sides, and after TTing. Can’t help, but your message sounded familiar. The only thing I found on the net was that some cyclist get this because their cadence was too low, doesn’t seem to be the same situation with 90ish cadence.

Can you spin too much?

4

I got achilles tendonitis last fall. It was directly related to running. I was wearing the wrong shoes - I have a neutral stride, but was using shoes that correct for pronation.

I took a few months off running and started cross training (including cycling), saw a physiotherapist, did some exercises, and eventually (after six months) the tendonitis went away.

I recommend seeing a physio or GP and getting a qualified opinion. Definitely you do not want to exacerbate the problem as it can become serious if the tendon tears.

Good luck!

Graham

(edited to remove paragraph that said it wasn’t the cycling - it can be).

5

go to cyclingnews.com the have good info about that
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6

Thanks everyone. The first step is taking some time off to let it heal…

7

I came across some info about achilles tendonitis and speedplay pedals that I thought you might be interested in.

It was discussed in this forum on Slowtwitch:

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Speedplays_and_calf/tendon_problems_P2384922/

and at this website:

http://www.endurancecorner.com/library/injury_prevention_treatment/achilles_tendonitis

In short, pedaling can cause or worsen achilles tendonitis, either because of a poor pedal/cleat setup or poor biomechanics. I was mistaken when I said otherwise in an earlier post, and finding this info reminded me of that.

My own achilles tendonitis has come back because I ramped up my running volume too quickly last month. Hope your recovery is going well.

Graham

8

The first part of the year I changed how I ride, basically tried to level my foot out. I was pointing my toe so I moved my cleat back to drop my heel. Basically my Achilles had to re-learn how to stretch. It was pretty painful for about a week until it stretched out

9

Have you read this:

http://www.coachgordo.com/gtips/various/triatletes_achilles_tendonitis.html
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