Achilles tendons?

[purplepenguin]

Hi there =) I've been lurking for a couple of weeks but I decided to stop being creepy and sign up (LOL). I started the couch-to-5k program six weeks ago, though I'm only on the fourth week of the program (had to repeat week 3 twice to let my body catch up). I really enjoy running and I've learned to go slower than I want to in order to go longer distances.

But today, both of my achilles tendons are in pain. Do achilles tendons get sore like other muscles when you use them in new ways? Or could I be looking at a possible injury here? And what should I do now? I don't want to quit the program!

My shoes are in good shape...I don't understand the new pain. I've never had my achilles heels hurt before.

~A Purple Penguin in Pain

[Iapetus999]

Re: Achilles tendons?

Mine bug me all the time.
It's worse if you're running outside on uneven surfaces.
Basically the heels just need to catch up with the rest of the body.
You may need to take it slower.
Also look into orthotics/running shoes.

[purplepenguin]

Re: Achilles tendons?

Slower? I already run like...well...a penguin! You're suggesting I drop it to turtle mode?

[Virgil]

Re: Achilles tendons?

Hey Purple!

There is one little thing you may want to try to see if you can eliminate the Achilles tendon pain...... Start out as you normally would. When the pain starts, STOP and loosen the shoelaces, in particular the ones over the arch of your foot area. So instead of a very snug fitting shoe you now have a loose fitting shoe, though not loose enough so that your heel pops in and out of the shoe!!!!!!! You don't want to trade tendon pain for heel blisters!!

I discovered that when you inadvertently compress the arch, it has no way of complaining other than by having the Achilles tendons SCREAM IN PAIN to get your attention!

Hope that this helps.

[purplepenguin]

Re: Achilles tendons?

Thanks for the suggestion I've found that it's mostly the hills that kill me. I've started to be careful about the number of hills I take on in one workout. When I reduce the number of hills, the pain goes away. So I guess I'll be very gradually increasing my uphill running.

[Virgil]

Re: Achilles tendons?

Hey!

That's great!. I am glad that you found the reason and a "cure" for it. Funny thing, I just got a new pair of running shoes, a brand I have never heard of, though the sports store clerk assured me that though new to the store, the "shoe technology" was excellent. (Gee, I hope that I did not fall for "a great line of snake oil".)

Took them out on the road for a couple of times and guess what....YUP....Achilles tendon pain! YIKKEES! I tried my "shoelace" remedy and though it helped a bit, it was not enough.

The DH suggested that, since I am now a senior citizen (55), I might consider putting arch supports into my running shoes.....these arches are not as young as they used to be!

As much as I hate to admit it, he was right. Bought a pair and stuck them into the shoes and all my discomfort is a thing of the past. Who said that you can't teach "an old dog" new tricks?

Ta, have a great run!