Training & Nutrition - Achilles Tendonitis

I woke up Thursday and my achilles tendon was kinda stiff. It got progressively sorer during the day and today it is really sore. I got a drs appointment and he told me I had achilles tendonitis, probably from over exsertion. I never knew that I had injured it, never felt a snap or a twist or anything like that. I have only been cycling since mid July and have been getting stronger and faster, seemingly each week. I was wondering if this is a common ailment for cyclists?

do you pedal with your heel lower than your toes on the downstroke? Doing that puts a lot of strain on the achilles tendon, and you'll be sore afterwards. Check this photo (nevermind my right hand, I was waving)




Notice my right foot, my heel is a touch lower than my toes. Yeah, my achilles let me know about it the next day.

(For what it's worth, the pic is on a section of Moab's La Sal loop called Tom's Misery. I think the grade is 10% er something right there)

do you pedal with your heel lower than your toes on the downstroke?

I don't know. Thanks for pointing that out though, I'll be concious of my foot position my next time out. I have been working on a hill here in the area that I haven't been able to climb yet.

I woke up Thursday and my achilles tendon was kinda stiff. It got progressively sorer during the day and today it is really sore. I got a drs appointment and he told me I had achilles tendonitis, probably from over exsertion. I never knew that I had injured it, never felt a snap or a twist or anything like that. I have only been cycling since mid July and have been getting stronger and faster, seemingly each week. I was wondering if this is a common ailment for cyclists?

It's fairly common to see that sort of injury. It's an overuse injury, and that's why you didn't feel anything wrong (if it did, things would be worse).

Follow your doctors advice, and if it doesn't get better, you may need some physical therapy. There could also be a bicycle fit issue.

I actually tore my achilles tendons (micro-tears) while cycling. In my case, the saddle was too high.

Whatever you do, don't ignore the problem ... it takes a VERY long time for achilles tendons to heal. 4 years later I still wear ankle braces when I ride any distance.