Sore Achilles

ORN:  16.2 miles, 2:59:31, R/W 4/1, 11:05/mile

One of the benefits of blogging is the record.  Much like the diary or personal journal of an earlier era, a blog puts down one's observations as a snapshot.  Future reference is often useful.  Unlike a journal, though, we do it in public.  Happy to have you reading along.

Today's topic is my sore right Achilles tendon.  I  have not had an injury for several years now, so this is new territory.  It arose after my 24 mile run last Saturday.  It seems I must have strained it somehow...on Monday, I actually saw a bit of discoloration, indicating I must have popped a few blood vessels.  I shuffled through 5 miles last Sunday but then decided to give it an extra day of rest and didn't run again until Thursday.

So, looking at today's scheduled 16 miler, I wasn't sure just what it would feel like. Heading out the door in our chilly upper 30s, the tendon was stiff.  It didn't really hurt but I was certainly aware of it on each stride.  I kept the pace easy and used a 4/1 run/walk ratio.

What surprised me was how it gradually improved.  By mile 5, I really wasn't noticing it any more.  Miles 6-8 were up a long, gentle incline, where I wondered if it would strain more.  But there was no pain.  By mile 12, it was a touch noticeable but only when I focused on it.  The run ended with 16 in the bank and it was OK.

After the run, I iced it again.  I found, as I have all week, it was most noticeable when I stood up after sitting for a while.  It seems it stiffens somewhat with in-action.

Given that I have a 33.5 mile trail race in two weeks, I'm wondering what this means.  Realizing I ran the equivalent of a marathon last week, the tendon felt consistently better as the week went on, that a long run today went OK and I'm in taper mode, I decided the Achilles would likely be OK for the race.  

And why did the injury happen?  I gotta figure it was overuse.  I probably dialed up my mileage too quickly in an effort to get set for the long race.  Note to self.

Thanks for reading over my shoulder!

Persevere.

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