Craptastic Achilles

I can't believe it's been over a year since my Achilles decided to suck. And I can't believe it's a year later and I'm still dealing with this crap. I've taken my time off, I've worn the dreaded boot, I've cut back on my mileage, I've gone to physical therapy, I've suffered from roid rage...and I'm back to square one.

During the past few bike sessions on my trainer I thought my Achilles was feeling a little funny, especially when my foot was swiping on the bottom of the pedal stroke. Well, Friday after my hour and 45 minutes on the bike, I found myself flexing my ankle a lot during the day trying to relieve some of the tightness. I didn't think much of it and chalked it up to a tough workout. The last thing I expected was for the bike to bother it, especially since the bike was part of my rehabilitation over the summer. So on Saturday when I set out for my brick workout, I wasn't expecting pain that brought me to tears. Some from the actual pain, some out of frustration. It was feeling sore while on the bike ride but then it really blew up during my long run. I was about 5-6 miles into the run when the mild discomfort turned into pain; the sharp pain that I know all too well. Completely upset and angry, I pushed through and made it just under 14 miles. That afternoon, the ever-dreaded bulge was back and my ankle was swollen.

I have no idea what's going on. I'm at a loss and can't believe this is still an issue. At this point I don't think I'm going to go back to physical therapy but I might see if I can get into see a sports medicine doctor, etc. I did swing by my bike shop to have them take another look at my bike fit and everything on that end is fine. My podiatrist, as well as myself, don't understand why the bike is causing pain too.

So, with under a week to go to until my first TRI, I'm crushed. I'm laying low this week and am hoping I can at least make it through each portion of the race by taking it easy. Not that I had any big goals for this race but now I'm being forced to use it solely as a learning experience. Even so, I still took a ride up today to check out the course to see what I'm up against.  The lake is pretty but it's still an open water swim and I'm more than a little freaked out about swimming in it. The bike course, while short, is hilly and that will be my biggest challenge. The run, only 2 miles, is along a paved path through the park and normally wouldn't be an issue. Here's hoping I don't have to walk it. Definitely not how I wanted to go into my first TRI but I have to show up and give it a shot because I need this experience.

Someone might have to push me into the water on Sunday.

Our little picnic snack which must have made the people grilling at the table next to us feel bad because they came over and offered us some bbq!!

After a lot of tears yesterday, I'm trying to keep a smile on my face and remember that things could always be worse.

Really good GIVEAWAY coming up this week!! Stay tuned.