Some day I hope to be able to run and play and frolic in the beautiful weather we are having here in the Metro DC area... alas, that day is not today.
Monday I hit the magical 6-week mark when I was to have been "cured" of this Achilles injury (note usage of past tense). On the 22nd I went down to the single layer on the heel lifts. The following night while walking the dog I was feeling some discomfort - enough to have to stop walking several times. Let me define walking the dog... slowly and on a flat surface. I am short and have a fast gait because I am accustomed to falling behind you normal-sized people... so I was less conscious of this on the walk than I should have been. I kept speeding up to my normal speed and had to keep slowing down... stopping... walking... stopping... you get the picture.
I went back to 2 layers for the rest of the week to give it a rest and get the pain to go away - which worked.
This Monday (the 29th) I gave a single layer another shot. I made it to Wednesday this time (ok, Tues night well after doggie walking). I've gone back up to 2 friggin layers and it still hurts.
Why you ask? I think it's the activity... I started looking for alternate activity to keep me from turning into the Pillsbury Dough Girl during this time, so I found something called Battling Ropes. It's way cool and gets my THR up faster than anything else right now. It's one hell of a workout if you're looking for something new. The issue is I'm doing it on my knees because of the injury and I'm digging in with my right foot.
Dammit!!!!!
The new plan... 2 layers for at least 2 weeks - maybe 3. No ropes... no nothing from the knees down. Again. That has seemed to bring the greatest quality recovery. The most encouraging thing about this is how quickly I am returning to no pain after these learning experiences. Even last night when it was pretty damn uncomfortable, ice took care of it pretty quickly. I am feeling pretty good today.
And one final note... I am convinced this injury stems from the calf strain. I didn't take the time to heal and rehab it in '08 and I am paying the price. More challenging is how one uses eccentric calf raises to rehab from an Achilles injury when the root cause is a calf strain. No one has been able to answer that one yet... which may be why I am still injured. The first link in the chain has to be strengthened and that hasn't happened (yep, I can still feel it - it's getting better though). Again, some things are encouraging but I'm not anywhere near where I want to be.
Those around me would be quick to remind me - while I might not be where I want to be - I am likely right where I should be - and learning the lessons I should. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment