Achilles Tendon Ache

[SocialNutter]

Hi Goosey,

Thanks for the advice! I did get my gait analysed when I bought my current shoes, but that was a while ago and I figure I've done about 450 miles since then - I've heard that's about the time to get a new pair? I do do some warm up / cool down and stretching, but probably not as much as I should be doing (I have a tendency to just leave the house and run!), so I'll find some good stretches online and try and work a bit more on my warm up and cool down. I've had a couple of sports massages in the past, but not in the last few months, so I'll pick that up again as well.

Do you reckon in the meantime that it would be okay to keep running, provided it doesn't get any worse?

[Goosey]

Hi Claire,

I think that it is ok for you to continue running, however I would say that a flat route would be best, so avoid hills or inclines (for a couple of weeks). I would also suggest, in the short term, running a shorter distance or reducing your speed, either will keep you training regularly, this will reduce the stress on your calf/achilles.

I would also suggest (as a regular runner) that you change your shoes once a year because cushioning looses it's rebound capacity with frequent use.

With your warm up.....I would suggest perhaps speed walking, then slow jogging and gentle skipping, gradually increasing your speed. This should help to warm your calf muscles and so prevent further injury. Cooling down is simply the reverse. Simple stretches after this will help to keep you running. Sports Injury Clinic website is a good site to find the stretches.

Treat any niggles with PRICE, Prevention, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation....but hopefully you won't need to !!

[SocialNutter]

Thanks Goosey, I'll give it a try and hopefully will stay injury free :-)