Achilles Treatment and Race Planning
Basically I need to do a fair amount of stretching and limbering of my calves, especially my left calf, in a way that doesn’t overly stress my already aggrevated left achillies. In order to make this easier, I picked up a CVS heating pad at lunch today. The plan is to heat it up (60 seconds in the microwave) once every hour, apply it to my calf for 5 minutes, and then do some stretches. So far it seems to be working.
My whole ankle is a little sore, at least partially because I’ve been walking strangely, but the achillies doesn’t appear to be bugging me. I think that I’m going to be alright to run tomorrow. I’ll do a very slow one mile warmup, and after that I’ll gauge how well I think I can do in the race itself. I did drive a portion of the course today, and I’m glad that I did; its definately hillier than I remembered, although nothing like Sunday’s race.
I also got a packet of cheap heel inserts for my shoes. I’m not 100% convinced about using these, at least partially because I don’t want to become dependent on them, but they seem to be what’s recommended so I’ll go with them at least until I can’t feel any difference in my legs.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go and stretch.
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Nov 24th 2004
5:03 PM
Glad to hear that you’ve got a plan in healing. Hope your race is good.
One bit of advice: a running friend of mine is currently addicted to the heating pad, she pulled a hamstring in a race, has been using the heating pad for 5 weeks to heat up her hamstring so she can run, she can’t stop using it now… She was told recently by a doc to gradually ease off the heat and increase massage and stretching, but it’s not working so well…
Also, about the taping and wrapping. I’ve been told that you tape affected areas as support. If connective tissue is injured and weak and unable to support the area, taping can keep the area appropriately aligned while connective tissues heal. Wrapping is supposed to prevent swelling and inflammation. I’ve also been told that our bodies can become addicted to taping and wrapping over time, so you should slowly ease off these as well.
Anyhow, take care of the achilles!
Meghan
Nov 24th 2004
5:44 PM
Hope you have a great race tomorrow! I’m going to do a little hopping around to warm up. I’ve never run this course before, so it’s all a surprise to me. I’ve glanced at the map. To heck with it. It’s not like I need to know where I’m going. THere will be plently of people to follow.
Left you a note in my blog… I’ll be wearing a dark blue american-statesman long sleeve tee - if you spot me, yell something encouraging!
Nov 24th 2004
5:48 PM
Very cool. I’ll be wearing a dark green “Racing for the trail” short-sleeved shirt unless its really cold and I’ll probably be lurking around the finish line about an hour before the race starts doing a group warmup. Who knows, maybe we’ll actually be able to put faces to blogs.
Nov 24th 2004
6:22 PM
More usefully, I’ve got bib number 700. I don’t know why I didn’t mention this in the last comment.
Nov 24th 2004
6:25 PM
Heh. Hey, we might be showing up for the same group warmup!
Nov 24th 2004
7:30 PM
That’s what I was figuring - especially since I missed the last one.
Nov 24th 2004
8:10 PM
Meghan - thanks for the advice. The heating pad is used simply to warm up my muscles before stretching - I won’t be using it before the race. This is so that I can do more frequent stretches without having to go for a jog every hour … something that’s hard to do in the office. I’m /very/ concerned about not becoming dependent on things like this.
Nov 24th 2004
10:31 PM
I can’t wait to hear how tomorrow goes! I’m rooting (routing?) for you. And do be careful. Meghan’s post is scary–I hate the thought of becoming addicted to anything beyond the activity (walking, running, cycling, etc). Have a great t-day!
Nov 25th 2004
5:35 AM
Good luck with the Turkey Trot today! I hope your stretching and warmups will do the trick and you’ll have a pain- and injury-free run. And thank you for all the encouraging comments in my blog- I really appreciate it!
Nov 25th 2004
7:54 AM
Good luck in the race today, Richard!
Nov 25th 2004
8:28 AM
GOOD LUCK!!!
YAY RICHARD!
BOO ACHILLES TENDON!
Show ‘em who’s boss.
Nov 25th 2004
4:47 PM
Hope you had a great run and a nice Thanksgiving!