#bauerfeindusa

I'm trying to find the balance between working hard and not crippling myself. It seems back to back days of running are difficult thus far. This week I ran 16.8 miles. According to my PT who has analyzed my running, I'm still not driving off right leg enough and picking up the foot too soon. Must continue to be diligent with gastroc strengthening and mobility exercises. At this point I'm not very confident about doing Ventura marathon in Sept. I'll continue to try to build base this month and if I can run absolutely pain free by May then I may have a shot at Marathon. If not then I'll just continue this process and possibly wait till Los Angeles marathon 2017 to race.

Sunday morning : walked to beach and back. Total of about 5 miles. Held up decently, just a bit tired and sore the last couple miles. Walking on the soft sand was a pretty good workout in itself too. I am absolutely determined to run one mile continuously next Sunday or Monday(my bday) . As of right now the range of motion is there but the strength isn't quite yet. Spoke to Dr T on Thurs over the phone and he reassured me tendon is now structurally fine and that I just need to work through the soreness. I have pt on Wednesday and I really hope I impress her with my progress so I get the green light to run!

Despite the setbacks I had with the incision and blood clot I feel like I’m right where I should be. Originally my OS and I had a goal to start light running by end of march. At this point I think I may have a solid shot at it. PT with my actual therapist has been productive. At this point it’s consisting of electro therapy, a warm up on Elliptical, ROM exercises and most importantly she massages the Achilles/foot/calf to break up the scar tissue. I’m kind of calling my own shots on the strengthening. Throughout my normal weight lifting I’m using rest periods for things like calf raises, strengthening the Tibialis anterior and other boring crap. Using the precor elliptical is getting more and more comfortable. Homework, per PT, this week is to stop limping when I walk. Part of it is my brain trying to protect my foot and also not having full ROM in plantar flexion. Therefore I’m stretching calf & soleus all day long. These last 3 months have sure been trying. More difficult than I imagined it would be. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

I've started the stationary bike this week. Feels awkward to do so with boot on but feels awesome waking up those muscles again!! Still lifting weights daily. Achilles feels pretty good as I work on moving foot around a bit. I've started sleeping with boot off for a few days now and it's glorious! I see Dr T on Thurs the 21st and he said over the phone a couple days ago I'll be in boot for week after that then I can ditch it! So need to go buy some backless Crocs so shoe doesn't irritate the scar. Only real discomfort I have when walking with boot on now is the feeling of of stepping on gravel through the heel, that I read all about as other patients go through as well. Just counting down the days till Thurs now!

Feeling stronger by the day. Yesterday I only used cane to the park and to gym. Today I'm not touching it. Was able to walk to park and back with Lola. Majority of discomfort is in heel when I step. Towards the end of walk it did get pretty tired though. Dr T said yesterday he would negotiate with me and allow me to move boot to 7.5% PF but not till Monday as I was scheduled to move it on Thursday. I'm icing twice a day to keel the swelling at minimum too. Really happy with my weight as I've managed to actually lose 4lbs. At this point it's just allowing the tendon do heal and fight the urge to get into "no pain no gain" . Credit to my bauerfeind brace because I really think that's what's helping with swelling and being pain free.

24 days post op. Thursday's follow up didn't quite go as expected. I had an ultrasound done first and blood clots were found in my leg. Non occlusive thrombosis. So some blood as still getting through. Which explains the pain I've been having all this time in my quad/hip flexor that I always assumed was just tightness from using the iwalk. Dr put me on lovenox injections and I'll see my dr this week. As far as my Achilles, everything looked good. Incision looked great and he changed my cam boot to 15 degrees plantar flexion. Also said I can start partial weight bearing but boy has that been a challenge the last 2 days. I have absolutely no confidence in my leg. He said to progress to full weight bearing by next Thursday so I'm gonna have to stop being such a baby and really get to work on it today. My workouts have been going well. Cardio is getting done with the arm bike and battle ropes.

Having an easier time walking with iwalk today, finally. I underestimated the amount of work it would require to walk with it. Minimal pain in heel. Stil icing and elevating. What struck me today is the challenge of regaining confidence in my Achilles. I know it’s gonna heal and I’m gonna work my ass off during PT. But its trusting the Achilles that I foresee being a challenge. As I was carefully removing boot today to change pants I had that thought. I was doing it so carefully, and rightfully so, that I wondered how I’ll be once I’m fully recovered. Will I be reluctant to make any fast ballistic moves? . When I’m running will I opt to not jump over a puddle on the ground? Will I pass on a simple game of pick up Basketball? I was already hesitant enough to do all these things prior to surgery as it was. So many times at park with Lola in the morning I’ve had to jump out of the way so quickly to not have the dogs crash into me during their play. Will I opt to take a hit instead of making a jarring move? I hope that with time it all becomes a distant memory and I can fully trust my leg again.