It will come as no surprise that I am running out of patience with my Achilles. The problem is, my Achilles is on its own timeline and isn’t going to get better faster just because I want it to. Thank goodness I have cycling as an option.
I’m especially glad I added my Schwiin IC4
to my basement gym.
Running Out Of Patience
After 2+ weeks off from running, my Achilles wasn’t miraculously better. I expressed my frustrations to my physical therapist, and she said it’s not unusual for this type of issue to take a while to resolve. ~sigh~ With both my Achilles and my tennis elbow bothering me, I resorted to a double-dose of Aleve and was amazed at how well it worked. Hmmm…..
When I woke up Thursday, my Achilles felt pretty good — or didn’t feel much at all — the KT tape my physical therapist had applied was holding strong, and the air wasn’t completely stifling. All that made it it too hard to resist a test run.
I chose a 20 min Peloton Outdoor Walk + Run class and it was perfect, with 1 min, 2 min and 3 min running intervals interspersed with 1 min walk breaks. It felt so good to be running outside, even just a few minutes at a time!
With no pain during the run intervals and no after-effects Aleve couldn’t handle, I was feeling optimistic, but held myself back from trying it again on Friday.
On Saturday, the weather was not tempting so I chose a 20 min Peloton Beginner Interval Treadmill class. After a 4 min warmup, the pattern was 6 rounds of 1 min run/30 sec jog/30 sec walk.
Sunday I gave into weather temptation again, with another 20 min Peloton Outdoor Walk + Run class. This one was easier, with 30 sec or 60 sec running intervals and 60 second walk breaks.
If my Achilles doesn’t complain, these types of Peloton classes will be perfect for easing me back into running while holding me back from doing too much. To increase my odds, I won’t do them every day and I won’t run uphill.
Speaking of Peloton and my Schwinn IC4, I reached my 100th cycling class on Saturday. As usual, I didn’t realize it was coming up, but it was a good class that made me earn that badge!
I was glad to have the option of indoor cycling, because this weekend was too hot and humid for the Conte’s hill ride.
Weekly Run Down
I took it easy at the beginning of the week, recovering from the long drive to and from Vermont last weekend. By the end of the week I was ready for harder strength workouts, and my tennis elbow mostly cooperated. In addition to my Peloton stacks, I started each day with a 0.9 mile walk with Scooby.
Playing with Prisma filters for my sweaty selfies
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up.
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Sorry your achilles is still not onboard with running. It is a tough injury that can easily become chronic if one is not careful. Way to work around it with your bike!
It’s so frustrating because I’ve never had Achilles issues before. I’ve got to chase it away by September.
I think my wrist injury was way more frustrating than my leg fracture. I know that’s going to get better. But a tendon injury? That can go on…and on…
Exactly! Why do our bodies have to be so annoying sometimes?
I had an achilles injuries years ago. I don’t remember exactly but it did take a long time – 6 weeks I think. Since then. Zero issues.
Glad to hear that you are easing back in and continue to enjoy biking.
Did you take 6 weeks off? I’ve been dealing with this for months now, and have had PT for it for at least 6 weeks.
I believe I did and then started back from stretch. I did PT the whole time off. It was early in my running and my first injury. I doubt I would take all that time off now. I’m more impatient.
That sounds pretty good! The run/walks must be working well, because your achilles is holding up (and it would let you know if it was too much!) Hope is continues to go well- you’re smart to avoid hills, for now. Good luck this week!
Thanks. It’s hard to avoid hills where I live, but there’s only one in my neighborhood that I have to walk up to do a 2 mile loop.
Congrats on our 100th cycle class. Injuries really are annoying and never at the right time. Hope my guy can get you in soon and give you some more info on what might be going on
Sorry your achilles is still bothering you but glad it felt good enough to run a little bit! The weather has been so gross lately its a good time to back off and rest it. Hope it keeps improving!
I’ve kind of welcomed the humid weather since it makes me ok with not running. 😛
achilles injuries are soooo annoying and tough to heal. I’ve had a lot of runner clients with achilles issues on the massage table and their stories were similar to yours as far as not having much patience left… I am so sorry that this is still going on.
I thought you had a peloton bike? or do I just think everyone has a peloton bike (except Marcia who has a Schwinn IC4)? I have an IC8 and you probably already know I LOVE my bike! I can’t wait to get back to RPM next week.
Nope, I have the Schwinn IC4 (which I think is the same as the IC8?) and use the Peloton App on my iPad. The Peloton bike was too big for me and when I was buying (last November) the delivery time was unpredictable (months?).
Glad you have the bike as an option! If I’m injured from running, I don’t currently have another cardio option (cancelled my gym membership during the pandemic) so I would be tempted to get a Peloton…
I’m really sorry the Achilles is still annoying you. I hope it gets better soon!
I got my Schwinn when my ankle first was iffy last fall (it recovered and then flared up again this spring) and knew it would be a good back-up!
Run/walk is such a helpful tool for easing back into running. Sorry you have to do that but glad it’s working for you. Does Scooby get antsy since he’s not running as much?
I’ll have rebuild my base at some point for like the fifth time this year, but for now it’s just doing what I can when I can.
LOL, at least you know how to rebuild now. Scooby doesn’t mind the breaks, but I think he does get confused on what he’s supposed to do. For these short runs I’m using the walking leash which he seems to know to go slower with.
Well, you know I’m all about biking as a great option when time on the feet isn’t an option (or much time on the feet). The run/walk interval workouts do sound like a great means to ease back to more running, so good luck with those!!
That’s great that the walk + run classes seem to be okay for your achilles! I’m a big fan of those classes too because of the run/walk intervals.
Congrats on your 100th ride and you’re right, you picked a great class for it!
Congrats on your 100th ride!
So sorry your achilles is just not cooperating – having both the bike and the run/walk classes are good options.
Congrats on the 100th cycling class! Glad to hear you are enjoying the Outdoor Walk + Run classes. I just bookmarked all of Matty’s classes. 🙂 I am understand the frustration of waiting for an injury to heal. Hopefully soon it will be better.
Oh, look at you, Coco!!! Well done for doing a bit of running already! You’re winning the Achilles battle!
When I had my Achilles problems my PT recommended that I roll my Achilles on a little mini foam roller. I do it every day and it works magic. The mini foam roller is a lot more effective than the big one that is used for the glutes/hamstrings.
Wishing you a great week!
Interesting. Is it mini in length or diameter? I have “travel” one that I could try.
I think it’s also called a travel version. Mine is 6” x 2”. https://activelifeusa.com/products/blackroll-mini-foam-roller?_pos=2&_sid=4824652f9&_ss=r
It hurts in the beginning, but you get used to it and the pain becomes less and less.
The things we do for running…
Here’s hoping that both your Achilles and your tennis elbow see improvement soon. There’s always something, isn’t there?
Thanks!