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06-18-02, 03:36 AM
I just want to sound a little warning for those who suffer from cramping calves. Tight or cramping calves can cause Achilles Tendonitis. I know, because I have been pushed off the bike for at least a week or two due to real pain in my Achilles.
Frequent readers of my column (posts) know that I have been lowering my saddle this Spring to solve some knee problems. The knee problems are gone. But, as a consequence of the lower saddle, my foot angle became more level (no longer needing to compensate for the excessive saddle height). In addition, I was not hydrating enough on long rides. In May, I got bad cramps in my calves on several rides in a row. I tried stretches and stuff, extra potassium, and I eventually figured out I needed more H2O. But I rode with tight calves for a week or two. Then, sure enough, my Achilles tendon in my right leg started to hurt a bit. I have since read that tightness or cramps in calves is a major cause of Achilles tendon injuries.
While on vacation in the States during the last few weeks, I went running once (since I didn’t have a bike), which turned out to be a big mistake because runners are particularly vulnerable to Achilles Tendonitis. My Achilles hurt afterwards and I felt a bit of soreness for the rest of my vacation (in part because I was doing a lot of walking and not really letting it heal). The soreness lasted even until Sunday, when I went for a long ride--being finally back in Germany with my bike, I couldn’t resist the temptation. Afterward, my Achilles tendon was really sore.
I am now doing all that I can to heal up (anti-inflammatories, Arnica cream, ice, as little walking as possible, and no riding). When I get back on the bike, I’ll probably move my cleat backward (at least for a while) to reduce the leverage on the Achilles.
So, for anyone who has had problems with tight or cramping calves, take it seriously. Even though the Achilles tendon can take up to 1000 kg of force, it is actually pretty vulnerable to injury (often through foot pronation or tight calves) and it is slow to heal. With a full-blown rupture of the tendon, you can’t stand or walk.
The Greeks knew this over 2500 years ago.
Frequent readers of my column (posts) know that I have been lowering my saddle this Spring to solve some knee problems. The knee problems are gone. But, as a consequence of the lower saddle, my foot angle became more level (no longer needing to compensate for the excessive saddle height). In addition, I was not hydrating enough on long rides. In May, I got bad cramps in my calves on several rides in a row. I tried stretches and stuff, extra potassium, and I eventually figured out I needed more H2O. But I rode with tight calves for a week or two. Then, sure enough, my Achilles tendon in my right leg started to hurt a bit. I have since read that tightness or cramps in calves is a major cause of Achilles tendon injuries.
While on vacation in the States during the last few weeks, I went running once (since I didn’t have a bike), which turned out to be a big mistake because runners are particularly vulnerable to Achilles Tendonitis. My Achilles hurt afterwards and I felt a bit of soreness for the rest of my vacation (in part because I was doing a lot of walking and not really letting it heal). The soreness lasted even until Sunday, when I went for a long ride--being finally back in Germany with my bike, I couldn’t resist the temptation. Afterward, my Achilles tendon was really sore.
I am now doing all that I can to heal up (anti-inflammatories, Arnica cream, ice, as little walking as possible, and no riding). When I get back on the bike, I’ll probably move my cleat backward (at least for a while) to reduce the leverage on the Achilles.
So, for anyone who has had problems with tight or cramping calves, take it seriously. Even though the Achilles tendon can take up to 1000 kg of force, it is actually pretty vulnerable to injury (often through foot pronation or tight calves) and it is slow to heal. With a full-blown rupture of the tendon, you can’t stand or walk.
The Greeks knew this over 2500 years ago.