Hey there Achilles people,

I have officially gone to FWB now, very stoked about that and am thinking about getting myself a trophy.

At physio the guy was doing some very full on stretches on my Achilles in various positions (knee bent, straight leg, foot behind ears - just kidding…) which freaked me out a bit as I don’t imagine I’d put that much strain on the tendon since I did the injury - wild stuff! Fortunately the tendon didn’t snap, meaning I WILL have to pay the physio fees (damn) but that I now have good ROM (sweeeeeet). Apparently I can “dorsiflex” to 20 degrees. Seriously, when, other than after getting an ATR injury, would you ever use the word “dorsiflex” in normal life? It’s like how every 4 years when the Olympics rolls around we start talking about how so-and-so would be thrilled to “podium” this year…

Anyhoo, I took about 3 steps in the physio with no shoes on at all. I was feeling dizzy from the thought of doing this, I actually thought I might just pass out. I took 3 zombie-like steps and then backed off, didn’t want to do anything further.  The tendon was ultra-tight despite my enviable “dorsiflex”, but given I have been FWB the past week I am expecting it to feel slightly better/less tight this week.

Any pearls of wisdom from ATR folk out there who have gone past this stage? I am really tentative on the foot and can’t imagine what it would take mentally to just start walking…

On another note, my calf now resembles a toothpick. It’s like a bag of jelly hanging off my shin bone, shorts will be out once the boot’s off! My career as a foot model is over!