I have been extremely fortunate to stay clear of any significant injuries over the past five years. The last issue I had was in 2005 when I had peritendonitis in my right achilles. After 6 weeks of continual issues around my Achilles, I had an MRI scan the other day and it showed I have the same problem in the same region together with a slight tear to my solues. Bad news but could have been worse.

 Peritendonitis has nothing to do with the achilles itself but it is the inflammation of the sheath around the tendon that is giving me the grief.  I wouldn’t even classify it as 5/10 pain while running but it is fairly stiff during sessions and then becomes increasingly sore once I have cooled down the inflammation sets in.  The doctor has prescribed 2-4 weeks of swim and gym only, weekly physio and daily stretches.  Fingers crossed this time next month I will be running once again.

I am a little concerned that the same injury has resurfaced, although this time around is far more tolerable than what it was in 2005. While I don’t think it is wise to rush out and change my footwear (as I love my Brooks Adrenalines), I will be consulting with foot specialists to see what can be done to make sure it doesn’t happen a third time.

Unfortunately, the injury does mean that I have had to pull out of Challenge Cairns in June.  Lise and I will still be up there with bells on but unfortunately I will not be a competitor for this inaugural event. 

The time off has allowed me to sit back and assess my goals for the next couple of years and ways in which we will be able to achieve them. What we have come up with is massive and scares me a little but I can’t wait for it all to happen. I will be announcing our plans over the coming weeks.

The morning swim squad is back as of tomorrow, so I am fortunate that I can still do some sort of cadio exercise. While it does mean is a 4:30am wake up Monday to Friday, I am excited to see what the four week swim block will do for my weakest leg.

Hope everyone is killing their training and staying safe and healthy.  RT

Over the past few years I have been quite lucky in avoiding injuries.  I have had the odd dose of pneumonia, but I have managed to stay injury free.  Mid week this week I pulled up from a moderate-hard intensity run a little lame.  The grief was coming from my right achilles. Now it is not that uncommon to get the odd niggle, but as I took my first step out of bed the next day, I knew it was worse than a little niggle. Like any athlete, as soon as you have an injury keeping you on the sideline, it takes up almost all of your thoughts.

Whatever damage to the tendon had been done and now was the time to do everything I could to make my leg 100%.   Needless to say, with Lise being an RN and my coach being the owner of Trigger Point Therapy, I was in great hands to get back to training quickly.  

Before my sessions I have been using the TP foot-baller (see below) to release my calf which in turn has allowed my archilles more range of movement.  Post training I have been icing the area to reduce the swelling.  I have also found that hydration and nutrition have also made a difference.  By keeping the electrolytes levels high but keeping my diet low in simple sugars, my range of movement in all of my muscles/tendons have increased significantly.  In other word, if you want to increase your flexibility, drinking lots and eating the right food is a great place to start.

I am back swimming and riding full time and hopefully with a couple more days of this treatment, I will be back in the Brooks as well.

Stay fit, healthy and hydrated! :)

RT