Achilles or lower calf problems
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cuds posted 14 weeks ago.
Sounds like tendinitis to me. A mild case of it at that. I had PT's (etc) tell me to stop running when I had it, but I never did (I basically have to be completely broken to stop running). Make sure you are doing a lot of stretching (I do 3x1 minute on both gastroc & soleus stretches because I am prone to calf/achilles issues - loose tendons & ligaments in the ankle). If it gets worse, that's when you need to consider cutting back on the running.
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Sully800 posted 14 weeks ago.
Yep, the clicking and popping sensation is a sign of tendonitis, be thankful you don't have any pain along with that! The achilles receives limited bloodflow which can cause it to become inflamed. The best way around this (other than rest) that I have found is a deep massage. Sit with your knee bent and your foot flat on the floor which really relaxes the achilles. Then take your pointer finger and press hard into your achilles and rub up and down where it hurts. You will have to experiment with how hard to press, but I have found the harder the better. It may actually feel sore for a day or two because you are breaking up the tissue, but if you keep it up and stretch as well you might be able to fix the bloodflow issues. I haven't solved mine completely but it has definitely helped (and I haven't been as diligent as I should be).
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fastdog5 posted 14 weeks ago.
cuds wrote:
Make sure you are doing a lot of stretching (I do 3x1 minute on both gastroc & soleus stretches
Can you recommend a few stretches? I'm having similar issues (timely post!) and have never dealt with this before, so I don't know what stretches to do. Thanks much.
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196 days
cuds posted 14 weeks ago.
I use just the basic calf stretches (pics attached) - the one with the straight back leg focuses more on the gastrocs, where the one with the bent back leg focuses more on the soleus.
These two work really well for me, but there's definitely others you can do if those two don't hit the spots quite right for you.
And Sully is definitely right on the massage. I don't really think about that because it's part of my regular routine to have a massage every two weeks or so, but that definitely helps calm down the muscles. You could also consider some ART (which is similar to what Sully was describing doing to yourself). It works great!!
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jperubog posted 14 weeks ago.
thanks for the replies, Sully and Cuds, very much appreciated.
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551 days
jperubog posted 13 weeks ago.
Just an update, wanted to say thanks, its been a week, so far, The massage and stretch definitely helped, as well as a lot of icing right after my rides, woke up with a little bit of soreness at the end of last week so decided to take the weekend off from running, which is actually better because I got alot of biking in(also changed my cleat position on my shoes, that seemed to isolate my calf a little bit more). Both heels had been really tight in the mornings, but woke up this A.M. and nothing, no soreness, no tightness, so seems to have worked, just have to keep up on it, thanks again for the advice.
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fastdog5 posted 13 weeks ago.
I'll add that this has worked for me as well. What change did you make to your cleat position?
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jperubog posted 13 weeks ago.
I used to ride with the cleats pushed forward, because It feels like I am more on my toes(may have this backwards), but I pushed them all the way back, so now it feels like I am pushing more toward the backwards part of the ball of my foot,(I hope this makes sense, if I can probably take a picture but not until later, I feel like the biggest work delinquent.)
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cuds posted 13 weeks ago.
Awesome! Glad to hear that things are working out for both of you. Now stick to what works! :)
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laprokop posted 12 weeks ago.
I am having the same problem and I took yesterday off because of it. I talked with my doc and he said I need to take stay off of it for a week... any truth to this?
Also... I have been icing and stretching it like a madman both make it feel worse... Any suggestions as to what to do?
Thanks
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551 days
jperubog posted 12 weeks ago.
Definitely, at least the running. If you have been stretching and icing, and it feels sore, give it a few days to see if the soreness goes away. The first weekend I didn't run at all, Last week I only did a couple of quick runs < 20 minutes, very easy pace, I have actually increased my biking mileage to compensate(doesn't seem to affect me when biking), and took the weekend off from running. This week I have been back on the running and have been gradually increasing my mileage, I have done three runs so far this week, and everything has felt great, the key is not to push the distance, I have been pushing my pace but not the distance, whenever I felt discomfort in the calf or heel, I would stop, walk for a little then stretch it out real slowly, after about thirty seconds I would resume running for a little longer and then stop. I stretch out nice and slowly after each workout using the stretches posted by "Cuds". Followed by ice for 15 to 20 minutes, and then the massage on the tendon, calf and heel. When I first started massaging It was sore for a few days, but it went away, and now it seems to be fine. Ice is a wonderful thing, i think the massage is equally important. Hope this helps. Take it slow in the begining and give it about a week or so.
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laprokop posted 12 weeks ago.
Oh man... I have a tri August 9th and really wanted to be ready for it... being injured stinks! Thanks
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laprokop posted 12 weeks ago.
Update:
Just got off the trainer (being a single father limits my ability to bike). But the tendon feels good. I stretched it out well before and after and am currently icing it. Thanks for the suggestions guys I really appreciate it.
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hammerin hop posted 12 weeks ago.
If you're a poor urbanite like myself, another option may be picking up a massage stick. It's basically a series of rollers on a flexible bar. They're between $30 and $40 (depending on size). Man, it is nice. I've never needed to use it on my achilles (knock on wood), but it's worked wonders on my hamstrings/calves. I try to do it before/after riding, or at night.
Also - This thread may have helped me figure out some of my own issues! My calf hasn't been happy with me, not my achilles but higher up. I feel it most while riding. Maybe my cleats are too far backward, isolating the calf? I'll try to make an adjustment and see what it does! It can't hurt... too much :)
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laprokop posted 11 weeks ago.
Hammerin Hop I got the stick like a week and half ago it has been absolutely wonderful...
Update:
Still have yet to run since the tendon has been acting up (scared not because it still hurts) however this may be a blessing in disguise do to the fact the bike is my weakest link. Since the injury I have biked every day and really my legs are starting to enjoy the pain of biking so this may actually benefit me... again you guys have been awesome and I thank you for all the suggestions
Been having some problems with my Achilles tendon, need some help if possible,
Symptoms; Feels like a twinge, or a clicking/popping feeling about half way between the bottom of my calf muscle and the bottom of my foot. There is no pain when it happens, not like a pulled muscle, it feels more like hitting a nerve(funny bone but not as intense). It seems more or less right in the middle of my Achilles tendon? It is weird because it doesn’t hurt, a little discomfort but not pain, I stop and stretch it out and then it seems fine for a while, and it doesn’t happen until I am deep into my runs. I just don’t know if I am doing something that I shouldn’t be doing by still running on it. It doesn’t feel sore or anything, My heels feel a little tight in the morning when I wake up, but after a few seconds of movement it loosens up, and it only happens when running
Any ideas, would help, not sure if I should go to the doctor just yet, have my first race in 4 weeks, and after all these months of training, I am just not ready for him or her to tell me to take a couple of weeks off. I was thinking of cutting my mileage in half and then slowly work my way back up.