December 2, 2009
22 Weeks Post-Op: I ran a mile, well half!!!
Posted by chukeer under UncategorizedGot the okay to start running again today, so I decided to try it out. During my college years I ran religiously, running about 8-10 miles a day at a 6/min mile pace. Anyhow 3 years and 2 achilles rupture repair surgeries later.
I walked .25 miles, ran .25 miles at an 11/min mile pace, walked about .25, ran another .25 again at 11/min mile pace, then walked another .25.
I felt extremely uncomfortable. Normally I can settle into a rhythm, but I just didn’t feel like I had a good running stride. I know that my leg is pretty weak still, I can do a one legged heel raise and raise the heel of my rupture Achilles foot about an inch at this point. I’ve pretty much rid of the limp when walking except for when I wake up in the morning. The recent weather change here in Minnesota has really stiffened it up in the mornings.
At this point I’m done with doctors appointments and physical therapy. So the recovery from this point forward is up to me.
If anyone has any good advice or stories about their first run after their rupture, I’d like to hear it. It’s pretty depressing how much I’ve lost.
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
After all you’ve been through, I am amazed you are running all ready at all! Seriously, looking at your pic of the TWO lines of sutures running up your calf…wow! Keep on going.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Hi, I am at 22 weeks today, too. I was told I can try to run, but I am not a runner, so I will not. I am not surprised you did not enjoy it yet. Maybe it was a bit too ambitious. Maybe you should just try walking for 6 minutes and running for 2…? How long can you walk without a break? I can walk without a limp, feel a spring in my step, but not ready to run. I am surprised most people on this site are done with the physio so fast. I am still going twice a week, getting muscle stimulation. The calf strength is still less than 50% - it really feels more like the third of the good one. Millions of heel raises ahead of me according to the PT.
December 7th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I actually have been breaking up the running / walking. I just ran .75 miles today and walked another 1.25 miles, the rhythm is coming back, but I keep finding myself trying to fix my running stride which breaks my train of thought. My problem is that when I settle into a run, I don’t like to stop to walk then start to run again, its mentally tougher for me to run / walk then it is to just run.
I had approximately 50 visit to physical therapy. My insurance typically only allows for 20 per year. Anything more than that then all this extra paperwork and crap needed to be filled out. I just asked my PT what kinds of exercises I should be doing, because it felt like we started to do the same stuff over and over again once we got to a point and I was sick of waking up extra early and paying insurance deductibles when all of that stuff I could do on my own.
December 13th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Hello,
I am a runner as well and am just sitting around thinking of the day when I can jog again, so your story caught my attention. After reading many of the posts on this site I feel that my doc has taken a very aggresive approach to my recovery, and that my body is responding quite well you it (much of which many people I have spoken with attribute to my age). I have almost no limp, my flexibility is almost normal again, and I actually ice skate every day to coach my team (though I am by no means making quick stops or starts per doctor’s orders). March 17th will be the six month mark for me, and on that day the doc says I can return to running and playhing sports. In the meantime I am able to ride a stationary bike to stay in shape. I guess my question to you is, do you think there is anything else exercise wise taht you think might ease my transition back into running, and does my timeline seem normal to you?
December 30th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
While I was never a serious runner, I have been running a lot more since my ATR. Keep working intervals - even short ones (2 minute brisk walk, 2 minute run) while the cardio and calves continue to build. Dont overdo it or you will get injured. Use a treadmill whenever possible, the springy “give” of a treadmill is a lot easier on the legs than concrete. If you can’t use a treadmill, try running on a track - they have more “give” as well. Focus on your stride - you want to make sure you are running heel-to-toe evenly (dont favor either leg) so that you dont throw out a knee, hip, etc. Remember, this injury has thrown your gait off - pushing it to hard unevenly will cause injury. Ice your calves and AT after EVERY run. I cannot emphasize that enough.
Good luck!!! Email me at edforman100@yahoo.com if ou have any other questions!
Ed
December 30th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I hate to be the one to tell you but your email address has now been mined by several spiders and you are likely to be buried in spam. You should never post your email address on a public forum, especially one that is getting hit with spam like this one is.
Do a Google search on “return to running.” The first hit should be a document from William and Mary College and the second should be a document from Brigham Young University. Both of those should provide you with a lot of valuable information.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Chukeer - awesome! So glad you are far along with all the craziness practically behind you. I’m ramping up my running, too. The rhythm thing is important, as it is in anything, but it sounds like you’ll find it. Just do it slowly and build slowly but smartly.