Xplora’s AchillesBlog

From week 12 everything seems to ramp up and measurable gains came rapidly.  I initially thought I would be back to normal by now.  How wrong was that.  I know now that I am looking to another 9 months at least and possibly 2 years in total before I wake up in the morning not thinking about it.  Still, I am mobile and improving and am very happy with that.  I have been through a long rehab before, taking over 12 months to get the use of my left hand back after the median nerve was severed.  Some physios introduce theraband exercises early but I did not start until now.  My doctor and physio urged ‘active’ motion instead of ‘passive’ in the early stages.  Active uses your own muscles and passive is an external aid.  Using the green band I started passive planta flexion and lateral strength exercises.  My dorsiflexion was still not good and I was told not to start jogging until I was plus 10 (i.e. barefoot with my knee against wall and my toe 10cm from it) and could hop on my bad leg 40 times.  I was keen to start running again as it is the only way I can lose weight and the best way for me to get fit.  It is also most likely to be the main reason I am in this boat so why would I want to do more of it.  I guess that is how I am wired.   I was toe against the wall and my knee 4cm away.  Long way to go so be patient. 

Continuing those strength building and balance exercises is so important.  It was around week 14 when the next major change occurred.  10 single leg raises.  It is one of those magical moments.  Some people struggle with it but it is something most will aspire to as an indication of healing.  Taking some of the weight going up at first and concentrating on a slow controlled down.  Ten became 3 x 10 which became 3 x 20, taking all the weight on my bad leg, over a period of 7 weeks and whatever I did with my bad leg I replicated with my good.  My dorsiflexion was improving, sometimes with significant gains but mostly small.  I walked or rode my mountain bike everyday during this time, walking fast up to 5km and riding big hills within a short time but I found that after this exercise my dorsiflexion was reduced.  I put this down to swelling as after so rest, elevation and massage it returned.   Walking put more stress on the tendon than riding so alternating between these exercises gave some balance.  As I progressed with my riding I started doing some trails, not technical just a good change of scenery.  When it was time to do some real XC riding (week 19) I was again fortunate to have a course nearby.  I knew what to expect and there were many exit ports if things got hard.  I had been wearing my spd’s for easy tracks for a few weeks but for this I needed to be able to get my feet down fast.  A week later and I decided to try the spd’s on a trail.  I made sure I could comfortably twist out fast and away I went.  It was better not having my foot bouncing all over the place which I felt would be more of a problem.  The hardest part of this sort of riding is keeping the weight on the tendon as you balance out of the saddle.  I found myself riding a bit slower and sitting down, relying on the comfort of my dual suspension. 

Going back a bit, Week 16 had me on a mini tramp doing some jogging and balance.  I had always thought mini tramps were a waste of time but I have changed my mind.  What a great and inexpensive way to move you forward while actually not going anywhere.  Jog 3 steps then balance on one leg and another 3 steps then balance on the other.  Do that for 5 minutes and you actually start sweating.  This phase of physio prepares you for the dynamic activity we used to do.  Four weeks later and I was  +7 and could do the 40 hops.  My walks were now in the bush and on uneven ground.  Big step from here.  After 5 minutes straight jogging on the mini tramp the physio declared I was cleared to start jogging (so much for +10 but I think that may have been to hold be back a bit for my own good) so of course what did you think I did that day, day 137.  Nothing stupid though.  A walk for a warm up then a run for about 1km and more walking then more running and so on for 6km.  Within a week I was up to 4km of running but still doing a walk warm up and alternating the run/walk.  Now my other knee is getter sore, most likely inflammation from the increase in stressful activity but this injury has a way of changing your perspective.  My dream for the moment is to build a house and a new life 9 hours away in a remote area, not to run another marathon.  Cut back on the running for now.

Take the time to review how others define you and how you define yourself then ask if all that matters.  If all this drive to return to your pre-injury activity so that others can see how much you have achieved then you need a perspective check.  I heard an NFL player comment after his ATR that without football he was nothing.  I feel that is a sad inditement on his life.  It was time  not to be selfish and to think of my partner’s dreams as well.  This injury has affected her as well.  Make sure you look after your other half if you are fortunate to have one.  Time to try something old but new, indoor rock climbing. 

The time was coming when I would have to climb ladders and I thought it would be a good lead up.  Indoor climbing is graded 1-6 with 6 being the hardest.  I used to climb grade 4 and warm up on 2’s and 3’s.  This time it was warm up on the 1’s and do mostly 2’s with an attempt at a 3.  Still it is worth it and I was surprised how strong my tendon had become.  My physio added jumping into the equation.  Firstly on the tramp and then on the ground.  I was actually starting to feel fit and could see my calf muscle returning.  Looking at it you could not see any difference.  A few more climbs in the coming weeks had me convinced I could build a house.  The first part was to build a shed, which would become the temporary dwelling during construction. 

After 13 physio appointments I was discharged and the next week away to my farm.  Five weeks of living in a tent, up and down ladders, carrying full wheelbarrows of concrete, walking on a roof and I managed quite well.  I would not go as far to say I was 100%.  My tendon is still stiff and there is a bit of swelling and soreness from time to time.  Roofing was the hardest because of the constant angle and pressure.  At times I would have to defer the ladder work to my partner so I did not overdo it but on the whole I would say I was at 80%.  Just being sensible.  All the training I had done certainly made the difference, not just for the injury, as it gave me the stamina to go back to active and heavy work.  I also managed to lose 5kg without having to run. 

Life for the most part is normal, as normal as I need it to be for the moment.  We have a tremendous propensity to adapt to our surrounding and situation.  The only thing that really holds us back is our state of mind. I still get stiff in the mornings and after a hard days work or driving long distances (thank goodness for cruise control) but life is going on and forward and there is definitely hope for more improvement. Maybe in the distant future, another marathon, but that is no longer as important in my mind.

Home for 5 weeks while building the shed

Home until the house is finished