An Ironman’s recovery from an Achilles Tendon Rupture

All is coming along as good as could be. My left leg is getting stronger and if things keep progressing like they are, I may have to move the date of my first run up by a month or two. I had my mind set on January but it looks like it will be earlier. I won’t push it though. I’ll just let it happen organically.

I rode my mountain bike home from work all week (25-30 minute trip) and all went perfect until Friday. At one stretch of my route where I have to ride on the sidewalk, I moved over on the grass to give a pedestrian a wide berth. Upon return to the sidewalk, the tire got caught on a deep groove between the cement and the grass and down I went. Immediately I checked out my left side to make sure everything was ok with the Achilles and it was fine. It was stinging a bit but felt normal after a few minutes back on the bike. As far as everything else, other than a bit of road rash on my forearm and elbow, and some embarrassment, I felt great and just continued home.

Today, I did 45 minutes on the eliptical machine and my left leg (below the knee) did feel a bit tingly for 20 minutes afterwards. But that may be due to the new shoes I was trying out since it feels fairly normal now.

RIP Paul Newman.

Til next time, thanks for reading.

H

This week I managed to post in a timely fashion. Yeah!

I saw my surgeon (Dr. Haider @ Markham-Stouffville Hospital) on Thursday. He poked around, said that tendon was solid and pronounced that I no longer need to come back to see him. Wooo hooo!!!!

My physio routine remains the same (hydro bath in warm/hot water, ultrasound, laser and deep massage). I also do a lot of biking, swimming, and started weights (upper body and one legged squats, etc.) along with the elliptical machine this week. The elliptical is really great for runners trying to get prep themselves for when they do start running. It helps build strength and more flexibility of the tendon.

I’m still not able to raise up on one leg on my injured side but it is getting much better. I can do so with less support/assistance each week so maybe a breakthrough is coming soon.

Good luck everyone.

Til next time. Thanks for reading.

Hoss

Well, I’m not exactly running but I’ve done a few strides (a few short runs to the car in parking lot). No intense push-off but things are looking promising. My one-legged strength on the left side still has way to go so I won’t be starting any full scale running until that comes back. It would be totally foolish to do otherwise at this point.

The Achilles itself is not sore, but I still get a bunch of heel pain if I am on my feet too long. Making use of the Achillotrain and various insoles helps.

Physio still consists of: hydrobath, deep massage (still working on reducing that bump), ultrasound, and laser.

I’ve finally upped my weekly workout time to 5 hours. I don’t feel any motivation to start training yet because I miss running. I’ve got to start making a dent in the weight loss department so I wrote myself a program today to keep myself honest. The program takes me to January 2009, where I plan to start running (for real) and my training for Ironman Lake Placid in July.

Til next week.

Thanks for reading.

I almost didn’t get in a post this week. Back to work for me means bring on the chaos. New classes, teams to coach, spin class, writing, and of course squeeze in physio and my own exercise program.

This week my left heel took a beating. It was very sore each day. I experimented with various insoles, footwear, the Achilotrain brace, etc. The only meaningful relief was my sit breaks and icing it down at home. Despite the pain, I do think that all this moving around is good. By the end of the week I have more flexibility and strength. I can actually do a modified type of run where I don’t plant and push off with the forefoot (I discovered this after another accidental run). Can I actually run now? Probably, but why take the chance. I’ll be patient for a another few months.

My physio is trying to challenge me with more strength exercises and he is making serious inroads in reducing the little scar tissue bump at the lower incision. Quite a painful process though.

I just got back from my first Masters Swim session. It felt great but my foot is a but sore from the kicking.

Til next time.

Happy healing.