Achilles Tendon

[nammynake]

I've been using SPD pedals and shoes for 18 months but yesterday went for a 50 mile road ride with my new SPD-SL pedals (Shimano 105) and carbon sole Specialized shoes. No problems while riding but today my left Achiles Heel is quite sore. Any ideas what could have caused this?

[ChrisMCoupe]

I would say your new cleat position could be the issue, is it any different to what you had before?

[nammynake]

ChrisMCoupe said:

I would say your new cleat position could be the issue, is it any different to what you had before?

Difficult to say, old cleats were the small SPD recessed type. My new ones are the large SPD-SL ones. I set them up basically centrally, ie no rotation and central in the forward/back and
Left/right directions. Right leg is fine! I am wondering if it's due to a weaker left calf muscle.

[996 sps]

Same as hamstring thread ref eccentric exercises but different protocol, google Alfredson's Protocol Achilles Eccentric Exercise plan, that should bring up some useful info.

[Raven Flyer]

The shoe change could be pure co-incidence.

I wrecked my Achilles and had to stay off my bike for 8 weeks, earlier this year, purely down to over doing it.

I went out to set a PB on a 46 mile route that I do. I smashed my best ever time getting my average up to mid 18s (mph). I was out of the saddle attacking every hill and doubt I coasted once. In the process, I wrecked my Achilles and could barely walk two days later.

I am now much more cautious.

This was with the same shoes (Shimano M183) and cleats (SPD) that I have been using for 2 years.

[996 sps]

You should Google Alfredsons Protocol as well then Raven.

[nammynake]

I would be surprised if it was coincidence. I do the same route weekly and put in the same effort as usual.

[996 sps]

But if you give the eccentric exercises ago it may solve your issue without to much invasive treatment.

[IroningMan]

Thanks for the pointer. I've been prone to Achilles soreness for a while, and it's blown up in the last few weeks courtesy of my walking boots, which have quite an aggressive heel counter and which are now in the bin.

It seems to take a bit of concentration to get the the right technique, but this morning I did 90 of my first day's 180 heel drops: the other 90 to follow this evening.

[Raven Flyer]

996 sps said:

You should Google Alfredsons Protocol as well then Raven.

Daily, gentle stretching on my stairs was how I recovered.

[996 sps]

Stretching won't really hit the tendon but muscle fibres, glad to here you recovered though.