Team-C and "g"
take in a little
Achilles tendons R&R

August 30th - Jammed Up & Injured

(2 weeks until the RTB 200 Mile Relay Race)
(4 weeks until the VT 50-miler)

I'm injured.

For several years I've had mild tenderness in my Achilles tendons. As this past running season progressed and I increasingly ran more miles per week (50-60), I experienced increased soreness. After running my second 50-miler on 6/30 (Finger Lakes 50) and then the Wakely Ultra on 7/21, I accepted the fact that my "soreness" had transitioned into "injury". Previous efforts to use a cushioned heel gel had provided me with only minor relief from sore tendons... but, I now know I had been kidding myself about the over all benefit I had been getting from the gels. During the first week in August my running came to a near halt. I knew I needed to take evasive and aggressive action.

On Thursday, August 8th I met with an orthopedic doctor at a sport medicine center and then with a chiropractor on the 9th who specialized in orthotics for runners. At the former I had my feet x-rayed and examined - no fractures; no tearing of the Achilles tendons;and, thickening of the tendons on both feet - but much thicker scare tissue on the left (the more painful ankle). I was totally discouraged by this doctor's sports medicine expertise when I posed the following question: If you are recommending orthotics as part of my treatment/recovery plan, should I first try changing my running shoes to compensate for arches that are too low and for the mild pronation I have?

His response: They make shoes for that?

("That's it", I thought, "this guys out!")

Based on a client of mine who chronically suffered with Achilles tendon problems, and who finally gained running relief from a local chiropractor's use of a specific orthotics, I met with Dr. Lee on August 9th. Yes: I have mild pronation. Yes: my left arch is much lower then my right (resulting in an experiment in which I was asked to alternate between standing on my right foot and then my left; I kept falling over when standing on my left foot because of its sunken arch). Yes: high on the skepticism scale, I plunked down $420 (exam, orthotics, and fee for a 5 day rush order). Below is a journal note I sent to the chiropractor one week after receiving my orthotics:

8/27/07

Lee,

On 8/20/07 you fitted me for a pair of orthotics. I’m an ultra-runner and I thought you might appreciate hearing how my first week with “new feet” went . Running in the background, I’m registered to run a 200 mile relay race in NH on 9/14 and a 50 mi race in VT on 9/30 – I’m prepared to drop out of either/both depending on what I learn about my body in the next 3 weeks. My training plan to adjust for my Achilles' tendons pain is to wear my orthotics 24/7 (in my running shoes) and to run shorter distances (5-6 miles), but twice a day. Here's what I experienced during my first week of running/training with my new orthotics:

Monday, 8/20: I left your office and decided I would wear my orthotics 24/7 in my running shoes. My thinking revolved around the idea that I have no time to waste; I have no time to dilly-dally…I have two big races coming up in the next 5 weeks. At the end of Day One I'm thinking: Hmmm, I wonder if I can wear these blasted things?

Tuesday, 8/21: My Achilles tendons (especially the left) continued to hurt. Wearing orthotics makes me constantly aware that I have arches. I wanted to run at least a few miles today, but decided I was already pushing the “wear your orthotics only 1-2 hours a day” warning.

Wednesday, 8/22: I ran 6 miles. I thought my running days were over. Everything was stiff/tight and my heel (especially the left) never hit the ground correctly. Interestingly, my Achilles problem seemed only slightly less problematic – perhaps because everything else about my feet/calves/shins hurt dramatically. I'm feeling VERY discouraged. I hate this.

Thursday, 8/23: I ran 6 miles in the AM and 5 miles in the PM. The morning run was painful and slow. At the end my first run, I had serious doubts about running any of my scheduled races in 2007 (the RTB Relay and two 50-milers). However, my PM run proved to be very different. My pace quickened by about 2-minutes per mile, I had energy, and I began to feel hopeful. However, at the end of this run my Achilles’ soreness kicked in during the last 1-2 miles – but not as bad. OK… so maybe things are getting better. Maybe not. Maybe they are...

Friday, 8/24: I ran 6 miles. I remembered that my calf soreness and shin splint pain was a result of now having higher arches which force my heels down, and stretch my calves and Achilles tendons in a way I’m not used to. Today, it took me 4 miles before things stretched out and my LEFT heel was able to strike the ground correctly. I finished the run with less Achilles pain – I'm still worried.

Saturday, 8/25: I ran 6 miles in the AM and then 5 miles in the PM. Again, my afternoon run was faster and it seemed as though my calves/ankles were stretched out better. Good news: right from the start, I had correct foot strikes on both feet. I finished each run with less Achilles pain. Running actually seemed to be enjoyable. OK… maybe this orthotics-thing is working.

Sunday, 8/26: Today was the real test. I ran 11 miles in Thatcher Park – 1100 ft elevation gain in the first 3.6 miles. Running long ups and downs proved to be relatively painless in the Achilles Tendons Department. I had some episodic soreness to my tendons, and I responded by adjusting my stride/speed accordingly. At the end of this run I felt great and was ready to run further. Additionally, our mile of trail running was great because I experienced incredible comfort on the rooted/rocky trail because of the stiffness of my orthotics - an extra bonus!

Conclusion: I’ve got some way to go in terms of wearing my othotics and having my ankles/body adjust to them, and with having no Achilles tendon pain. My orthotics are beginning to feel normal. I think I’ll be running my three, 9 mile legs in the Reach the Beach 200 Mile Relay race 9/14; I’m not sure if I’ll be running the Vt. 50 miler on 9/30.

Thanks for your help… Gary

 

To be continued later this week!