I tweaked (strained/pulled) my achilles/calf during a 10 mile run last week. I was planning on doing a 1/2 marathon (my first) in Lake Geneva Wisconsin this week but do not want to screw it up more. I gave it a couple of days off last week then did a 5K on Saturday and it’s a little sore again. Should I bail on the 1/2? I really want to do it, but don’t want to screw up my season either.
An aside, if you’ve done the LG Mara or half, what’s the course like?
I tweaked (strained/pulled) my achilles/calf during a 10 mile run last week. I was planning on doing a 1/2 marathon (my first) in Lake Geneva Wisconsin this week but do not want to screw it up more. I gave it a couple of days off last week then did a 5K on Saturday and it’s a little sore again. Should I bail on the 1/2? I really want to do it, but don’t want to screw up my season either.
An aside, if you’ve done the LG Mara or half, what’s the course like?
Skip it. risk of worsening your injury.
Yeah, skip it. A half is too long. In Sept. I ran a few miles more than I should have on a slightly hurt achilles, hurt it worse and I was out for 10 days and bailed on a November marathon.
Be respectful to your body and make a pledge to yourself right now that you will not do that race. The achilles is one of the worst things to mess with. Once it’s really flared up, it’s an absolute bitch to get it back to normal. The problem is that it can get to the point where walking causes inflamation, and then it’s extremely difficult to get things back to normal. I kid you not, broken bones are better than achilles tendonitis.
How much time off should I give it?
I’m curious too about how long you have to give achilles tendinitis time to heal.
I picked mine up on a 9 mile run. Cycled only for 4 days and it came right back after 2 miles when I tried to run again. I’ve given it 6 days rest so far and will try to make it 10 days of no running before I try again.
The only time I feel it when on the computrainer is when I’m out of the saddle climbing. Maybe I should stay seated and ride flat courses only?
I did a ten miler 4 weeks ago-- developed achillies tendonitis-- and 4 weeks later it is not much better— still quite sore— I’m guessing that my race in 3 weeks and the one 3 weeks later are in serious jeopardy-- right now I’d be happy with being able to race in my July race. I see lots of $$$$ in entrance fees going down the drain-- but the worst part is having to not cycle or run— just when you think it is getting better-- the inflammation is back
Ditto that. I am in an 18 month battle with mine. Definitely take care of it and don’t push it.
Oh course I am old and I draft.
I usually run through injuries BUT I spent 10 months off and on running trying to get rid of the achilles injury instead of just taking 2 weeks off and letting it heal. I could run 20 or so a week but it wasn’t quality running. Finally I received ultrasound on it and that helped plus icing after every run. Pay now or Pay later
I’m actually not even sure if it’s my achilles. I just did a little research and it seems it may be the peroneus brevis tendon–a little higher up the leg. I doubt if it would change anybody’s recommendation to stay off it though.
As for “how long” to wait…basically until you know it’s better. Of course, that sounds silly, but you should probably wait until you can workout and not be thinking every pedal stroke or every time you see a hill coming “Is it going to hurt?”
It’s not really the time to start stretching either, that tends to complicate things. After it’s all better, then you may want to start some light stretching. I think overly powerful/tight calves, and doing too much too soon, are two of the primary causes. The bloodflow to tendons isn’t so great, so you are best off just being patient and letting it do it’s thing. Don’t try to put a number of days on it as to when it will be better. You are now on it’s schedule, not vice-versa.
I’m actually not even sure if it’s my achilles. I just did a little research and it seems it may be the peroneus brevis tendon–a little higher up the leg. I doubt if it would change anybody’s recommendation to stay off it though.
I had a problem last (2004) winter with the calf and came back too soon…blew my whole May (including the Lake Geneva race and what would have been the 20th anniversary of my first Lake Monona 20k up in Madison. Barely ran again until the run portion of the Aurora High Cliff short course up in WI last June.
Then I messed it up again back in November and didn’t run a step till New Years Eve. It is very tricky and can be a chronic thing unless you rest, ice and, eventually, stretch. I could swim (though watch out for the flip turns/wall push off)and ride without problems, but when that calf thing comes on…it’ll stop you cold for awhile. Good Luck…I am going to Madison on Saturday to see if I can get through the 20k this year!
Couldn’t have said it any better.
Go to you PT of chiropractor and get ultrsound/electromassage and deep hard massage (the painful not fun variety). Wear a sleeve for compression.
When you come back, whenever that is, come back real slow. It might take months.
By the way, the thing that ended up solving my problem was to cut 1 - 1 1/2" slits in the backs of my shoes. Basically, I notched the backs so that when I plantar flex there is no pressure from the shoe on my tendon. Shoes just aren’t designed so hot in that area. Put your shoe on, point your toe and notice how much pressure is placed on that tendon by the back of your shoe. Usually it’s not a problem, but if it’s already inflamed it can really hinder the healing process. I notched my cycling/running/around town shoes and havn’t had problems since.
Man, I love this forum. Where else can you get almost instant, smart advice on anything related to swimming, running or cycling?Thanks to all. Going to see a PT today, but I’m guessing I’m going to have to miss this one.