sniffle...... My achillies is acting up

achillies tendon problems are insidious.  Good luck.

Active recovery is the new mantra.  Keeping them moving is better than total rest, as it increases blood flow.  Easy on the speedwork, of course.

I've suffered with achilles problems from running, but have found cycling doesn't cause problems, in fact it seems to help stretch the tendon and reduce pain in my case.

These are other things that worked for me:

1) Ice once or twice a day (freeze ice in plastic / styrofoam cup, remove ice or cut bottom of cup and rub ice directly on sore tendon area for 3-4 mins)
2) Perform eccentric heal drops (20-50 x 3 sets)
3) Wear a night splint or strassburg sock when you sleep (these are more commonly used for plantar fasciitis but also keep a gentle stretch on the achilles)
4) Take NSAIDs

Good luck with your first tri

You might consider a massage from a sports massage specialist focused on that area.  I agree with ice, not heat.  And stretching and the night splint or strassburg sock. 

If you're going to do 'active' recovery, I'd nix the running and spin very, very lightly on the trainer. 

I've had the same problem for the last 6 weeks, and while I've been off of running for almost 3 weeks, I returned to cycling on the road this past weekend after one week's rest and a week of light spinning.  Wooopsies. 

Good luck.

I have been putting up with Achilles problems most of the summer. This is what I have done to help

1. No training for the 2 weeks - This is the toughest part; thanks to TdF on TV for helping
2. Elevate foot and applied a mixture of heat and ice everyday; multiple times per day
3. Eccentric exercises multiple times throughout the day
4. Used ankle brace during the day and night
5. Changed foot-beds on running and bike shoes to increase Achilles support
6. 3rd week started light run on treadmill - 3 miles max @ 10 min per mile
7. 20 min per day on stationary bike at a light rate
8. 60 min workout on elliptical
9. Stop right away if Achilles gets sore
10. Massage affected area throughout day
10. Stretch, stretch, and more stretching, before and after exercising and every time I think about it

So far this week had a few aches and pains, however starting to make some progress. Hopefully I will be able to complete again in September.

Staying off the feet was the best and hardest thing to do.

Hope this helps.


-- Eric