My achilles is my Achilles

The header at the moment shows the Boston Marathon course elevation. If your computer’s monitor maxes out at 1024 pixels across you aren’t seeing all of it. To do that you can click this graphic.

Boston Marathon course elevation

I want to use this header as an annual tradition, but I’m not getting off to a good start, because I won’t be running the Boston Marathon this year. I was on track to do it, but then my Achilles began to act up and it kept getting worse, even with ice and ibuprofen. The podiatrist said the sheath-like tissue around the tendon is badly inflamed and there’s nothing to be done but what I’ve been doing, and wait until it heals.

So, having taken myself out of the running, this morning I helped staff one of the running club’s water stations for the obligatory 21-mile practice run from the starting line to the top of the notorious Heartbreak Hill. Bill Rodgers, the legendary Boston-based marathoner, was supposed to be running with the club today, but to everyone’s disappointment he ran the course yesterday, to avoid today’s heavy rain.

3 thoughts on “My achilles is my Achilles”

  1. Thanks, Joan. Yes, next year I hope. I’ve taken my ankle out for a test drive, and it did all right, so I’m hoping to manage a Memorial Day race in Boston.

  2. Sorry to hear about the heel, Doug! Best to let it rest and recover though. Next year you’ll be ready to run!

  3. Dougie, I’m just now seeing this. Bummer, twinster! These last couple of years seems to be turning into a rash of medical problems, at least for the two of us. Better stay off it; I once saw a skater at MIT tear her Achilles tendon, and she fell to the ice screaming in agony. Not a pretty sight.

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