Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Recalibrating 2015 Plans

ORN:  zero

I posted on New Year's Day about my plans for 2015; focusing on road marathons, hoping to get under four hours for the first time ever.

January training went well for three weeks, as I nailed each of the prescribed workouts.  I had a little strain in my right Achillies tendon but nothing too bad...as I felt it a bit during the HUFF 50K on December 19 but not enough to even mention in the blog write up.

However, following a hard 14 mile run on January 17, with a fair amount of snow covered or icy running paths, the right Achillies was really hurting.  By the next morning, it was so sore, I cut off the planned 8 mile easy jog at a single mile.  I rested until Wednesday, attempted to run again and after 3 miles, that tendon was still sore.  I then took 10 days off, iced the tendon several times daily.  The tendon felt better while walking and while going up and down stairs.  I felt it was improving.  So, I tested it with a very, very gentle four mile run on a flat, dry course last Saturday, January 31.  Wham, the discomfort sprang right back again, sore by the end of the run and turning very uncomfortable later in the day.

So, what to do now?  

It seems the general advice is to rest extensively, like 2-3 months.  This is odd...I've never had an injury like this, requiring so much time off.  But it seems to be the deal.  Probably an overuse injury from the increased mileage all last fall leading to my 50 mile and then 50K races, I'm now paying a bit of a price.

I have found a place to use a training cycle while the weather is cold and hope to get out on my real bike when the weather and streets permit.  But this precludes any serious racing through the spring, it appears and so I'm making the mental adjustment.  I hope to be able to begin to ramp back up through the summer and take a shot at some good races in the fall.

I welcome any comments or insight any of you have!!  I'm grateful to have running as something I do, yet it is not something that defines me.  So, this will be an interesting and instructive interlude!

Persevere!!


10 comments:

Darrell said...

Joe,
Back in 2011 when both of my heels had been hurting for months, I ended up taking 3 months completely off from running or anything and then started back up ever so slowly. The first couple of weeks back I kept my mileage to less than 20 and then stayed around 20 for the next two months before finally ramping back up slowly to my more normal 35-40. Everything has been fine since with the occasional 50 mile week thrown in here and there.
Rest up and heal well, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Two - three months off will be tough, but you can do it. (It is certainly better than taking off the better part of a year!) It sounds like you have some options to maintain some fitness. Try swimming, too! I wish you well in your recovery.

MM said...

Hey again Joe, I had great success with a walking boot when I injured my Achilles. I stopped running right away, but that wasn't good enough. Everyday walking around kept it in a constant state of inflammation. Neproxin and the total shut down from the boot sped up the rest phase of the recovery a lot. I saw a PT who said Achilles injuries come from having tight hip flexors. I stretched those and it helps to this day to stretch my Achilles, hip flexors, and IT bands to prevent more injury. But don't start stretching your Achilles until you're pain-free, then just barely, and gently. I rested for 6 weeks, the built back up to marathoning in 5 weeks, 11 weeks total from injury to my 1st race post-injury. The rest phase would have been 3 weeks shorter if I'd gotten the boot right away. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Think about talking to a PT about a walking boot. Take care, I wish you well!

Karen said...

Bummer, Joe. But I like your friend's suggestions of writing (typing is OK, isn't it?) and swimming (well...) I know you'll enjoy the new bike when weather permits. You can also spend some time cheering for the Boilers and cubs! Hang in there!

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