23-Weeks

Not much change over the past couple of weeks. Actually, my crossfitting is much stronger, but my running is still fairly gimpy. I was able to run a full 2.5 miles at a very slow pace with not much pain. But...that's probably from my crossfit workouts. I had no problems with strength during a workout the included a 45-pound barbell above my head doing 50-foot lunges. The Achilles felt just fine. I was also able to squat 265 pounds and deadlift 345 pounds with no Achilles problems.

My current milestone is to pass my fire department's pack test. It's 3 miles with a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes. I tried a week ago, but failed. My left side...not the injury side...but my left lower leg was killing me. I think due to the weakness in the right side, my left side overcompensated and felt the pain. I made it a mile and a half before I had to give up. bummer. My cardio was fine, but my leg strength was not. I'll give it another go in about a month.

My foot does not get as tired anymore as it did just a 2-weeks ago. Ohh...and I can feel the pain when the weather changes!

See you at week 24

22-Weeks

I've come to a bit of a resolution that I will not be able to run the marathon in May. My running form sucks as I compensate for the weakness of the right foot. And...I actually felt a bit of pain in the Achilles 3-days ago during a run and had to stop. Bummer.

I think I'm fully healed when I walk, but running takes me back to the realization that the lower right half of my body is not quite ready for the jarring and demands of running. Although I'm gaining strength back slowly, my calf is still atrophied and my foot is still weak; especially in the arch. I failed to realize what 6 to 7-weeks of non-weight bearing will do to the body.

I'm able to front squat, back squat, peform power, hang and regular cleans, and do plenty of calf raises, but I underestimated the amount of time this is going to take to get back to full strength. I tried to sprint at the end of a short run a couple of days ago...and it was a show of comedy. I sort of limped sprinted...if that's a term....to the finish line. It was an interesting mix of left side power and a right sided flat footed gait. My speed has completeley dimished. Again, I'[ve heard it can take up to a year to regain power and strength in the Achilles. Maybe never.

I'll keep running slowly building strenght and endurance. Maybe I can shoot for the Denver Marathon in October. I'll keep an eye on the Colfax Marathon in May...but the October run sounds like a more realistic time frame.

Work is going well. We've had some early morning calls where I found myself limping to the fire engine while my Achilles warmed up. Once on board, I was fine. I still have some problems getting my bunker boots off because of the scar tissue, but have found a method to get them off with a bit of a struggle. My everyday work boots begin to hurt in the afternoon, but I'm able to get out of those at 5pm and into a pair of running shoes. Much better!

Overall life is great. It's 2009...thank god 2008 came to an end! My family's good and my overall health is good.

See you at week 23.

21-weeks

Still running...and still weak on the right side. I tried to run a 5K on Friday, but had to walk the final 1/2 kilometer; actually limp the final 1/2 kilometer. My right hip was acting up the worst. No pain in the achilles or calf, but the right hip was causing some serious distress in the running form. I was actually running with a limp. Not good for the lower back!

I went immediately to the chiropractor and massage therapist. She said that I was "super tight" in my AT band, and that my hips were out of alignment due to the Achilles recovery process. After a killer sport and deep tissue massage, finishing up with an adjustment to my spine, I felt 110% better. I actually walked normally...yes walked and not limped....out of the office. I took Friday and Saturday off to recover, and I will try for a 5K today (Sunday).

My official training starts on the 13th of January for the May 17th marathon. Hopefully I can run at least a 1/2 marathon on that date. I'll have to see how the training goes. I'm 17 pounds over my ideal running weight of 190...that's going to be the hardest part over the next couple of months. 207 pounds is a serious stress to the body for me. This is the heaviest I've ever been in my life. And...at 43...it definitely slows me down.

Maybe this will turn into a weight losing blog now!

See you at week 22.

20-weeks

Made it to the 20 week mark! It now seems like so long ago that I ruptured my Achilles! I ran 2.5 miles today, and the right side of my lower body is still so very weak. Around the 1-mile mark, I was feeling the pain in my right butt cheek. Not the achilles, but upper right hip area. Around the 2 mile mark, I could feel the weakness in the foot. At 2-miles....I had to stop and limp for awhile. I was able to kick up a pretty good sprint for the last .15 miles.

So...not too sure about the marathon in May. I officially start training on the 13th of January for 18-weeks of progressive mileage. If my right side does not get stronger by April, I'll be out. Maybe a couple of months of squats will help the right side of my butt get stronger. It was strange feeling the right side of my body breaking down. bummer.

I finished another 48-hour shift at work over new years eve and new years day. We got worked pretty good, and my foot and leg were definitely tired at the end of the tour.

Someday...soon...I'll have my strength back in my right side. I was told it might take a year, but it does return. Some people have reported never gaining there strength back, but I think they lead fairly sedentary lifestyles.

Tips on running after an Achilles rupture:

1. Run slow.
2. Concentrate on running form.
3. Walk when you get tired so you don't re-injure yourself
4. Have fun knowing your getting stronger!

See you at week 21!