Discussion: Achilles

Mine have been aching too, although not yet enough to stop me running (just making it quite uncomfortable at times).

I find that they hurt a lot more in the summer than the winter (when they’re normally fine), which I can’t logically explain. I have tried to strengthen them by doing lift exercises, but I’m not sure it is actually making any difference.

Achilles are a right pain... mine usually hurt every step of the way but it's just got out of hand recently. I also have more problems in the summer and I think it is because the ground dries out and so running off road/on grass doesn't help as much. I know I'll be fine wading through mud come the cross country season....

Stuff that works for me is the calf strengthening exercises (lowering, not raising....) with extra weight (I have a rucksack with 24kg of salt in it), stretching, icing (after, not before), changing my shoes a lot, shoes without too much or little cushioning, orthotics with a heel raise, running off road... but it's all gone to pot at the moment. Annoyingly I just got my Great North Run number through the post, which had been my goal for the last while, not sure what my chances are of getting to the start line and in any event I haven't really been able to do the training I wanted to do. Sigh.

Sigh indeed.

I've given up training for the summer anyway (mostly) so don't mind too much at the moment. Hopefully when I start properly again in Sep/Oct they will be ok...

Hang in there!