Achilles Tendons - Out of Shape running is Better than No Running

This is a continuation of my 6 month follow-up post from an Achilles tendon tear last year. It’s now been one year. Things were going well until February this year. I had delayed getting into the strengthening I mentioned in that previous post… and it caught up with me. I strained a hamstring slightly in [...]

Achilles Tendon - Comeback Case Study - 6 Month Follow-Up

Ok, I’ve been remiss. My last update was in October. My last comment was my hopes for the New times 5k in November to be in the low 18’s. This was optimistic. I ran 19:33 and was pleased with that. I could have run about 19 flat but ran it with my son - it [...]

Forced Blog Name Change

As I moved along blissfully in my little runner’s world little did I know how far reaching some of the things I write go. On Friday afternoon I recieved a call from two gentlemen from Rodale Press. It was 3:00 pm; 6:00 pm Eastern time so it must have been important working overtime on a Friday [...]

More On Achilles Tendons II

Traditional approaches of therapy for Achilles tendonitis include: joint and soft tissue mobilizations; concentric exercises; stretching exercises; ultrasound; ice; iontophoresis; laser; friction massage; splinting; orthotics; NSAIDs; corticosteroids; activity modification; rest; and surgery. What is interesting is that there is a gaping chasm between health practitioners on what works “best”. What I have found is the [...]

Running Form

It seems like everyone is weighing in on running form. Some are writing books and becoming overnight experts at running form advising the world how we’ve been doing it all wrong all these years. Some even come up with new terms for their methods like “Pose”. Other people come to me to “fix” their running form [...]

The Injured Athlete

Injuries. Sometimes it seems like we are plagued with them Unavoidable? Sure, just don’t do anything. We are engaged in more than merely running, biking and swimming. We do it for more than just “fitness”.  For most of us, it is an expression of our desire to extend our limits. To go where we think [...]

Diagnose and Treat Achilles Tendons

I have been asked a few questions regarding diagnosing Achilles tendonitis or an Achilles tendon tear (depending on the severity). So, in this post I will elaborate on some past posts. Diagnosis is usually done through symptoms and external evaluation. Often there is swelling or inflammation in the area of discomfort, sometimes there will be an actual [...]

How do you get fast if you have Achilles tendonitis?

As previously posted, Achilles tendonitis can be a difficult injury to overcome. Just about every type of running that gets you faster is ill-advised for Achilles tendonitis sufferers. So, what exactly can you do to optimize conditioning and race up to your standards or even set PRs again? Don’t give up, you can get fast [...]

Achilles Tendon - Comeback Case Study

*See comments for most recent updates on my progress - updated 10/1/07. 
Case Study: I have had multiple surgeries on my Achilles tendon (two on one side and one on the other) along with long term acute bouts of tendonitis over a period of 30 years. The surgeries worked by removing bone spurs on my calcaneous (heel [...]

Achilles Tendons Treatments

Unfortunately, treatments for Achilles tendonitis and tears have not changed or improved much over the past 30 years. Depending on the severity of your tendonitis, you will be guided through the following “solutions” or “cures”. I’ll give you the treatment and my opinion and experience with it.
Pain be your guide. This will be the first admonition. [...]