tendinosis is in the air

Came off last week's midweek hilly long run with some pain in the achilles, the only other time I've encountered this is a month back heading in to the 3m 1/2. I don't recall having to do a whole lot to resolve it, just lots of foam roller massage and light eccentric stretching which is basically what I'm doing now but this definitely started in a more agitated state and I noticed a little nodule with localized tenderness. It's a little scary to head back out on the hills now but it will have to go down in the next couple weeks for a test. As of now, everything seems to be coming along well and I really only had to cut a couple days of mileage and intensity.

I'll take this time to add some fuel to the old and oft maligned minimalist shoe debate. I pretty much run in only lightweight trainers and have for some time. I'm not afraid to put on the flats for workouts or runs when I'm feeling spry. I think we all know how this goes, some days you feel stiff and deadlegged, maybe a bit sore from a workout and with at least 25-50% of my run probably taking place on concrete on any given day, I need some cush on occasion. Form is irrelevant in my mind on this one. Often my 2nd run is strait off of work and it already takes a time to get the tendons and muscles loosened up before I take to the streets, so the touch of support and shock dampening I garner from my shoes is well worth it to me in my plight. The issue I have immediately noticed is that the slight heel lift in most conventional running sneaks is significant enough to diminish strain on the calf and achilles. Case in point is my current aggravated condition. Just a few days with a heel lift was enough to diminish my problems, which granted are not as substantive as Jordan's. Point being: some cush and lift is good for me and even minimalist types like my buddy Rex Pace, on occasion, particularly when running 120+ a week on alot of hills and pavement and then working another good 6-8 hours daily at the shop. Gotta give the dogs a break every once in a while.

Karhu folks can thank me later for this photo, but bear in mind most of these guys' miles were on soft, pine needle-laden trails and they drank reindeer piss which enabled them to grow terrific beards.