Half marathon--or not--newly ruptured Achilles

[JennyDrake]

I was ready for the half marathon and Jnauray 3rd I ruptured my Achilles in a freak accident at dance class. So I have gone from 4 dance classes a week, Pilates, running and active life on a farm to Couch Potato with propped up leg. *sigh*

I had signed up for ExE again w/ GF who is just getting started, but I will not even start weight bearing until April 7th.

I would enjoy hearing from any other runners that have been through this.

I found two Achilles rupture blog sites and they were so horrible I cried for hours. I want/need to hear from ACTIVE people.

BTW, I am 47 years young.

 

[Princess on the Run]

Which Half are you wondering about? That would probably make a huge difference whether or not you can be up for it in time.

 

[JennyDrake]

Sorry, I should have written this better. I WAS signed up for the half this month but ruptured my tendon days before. I'm a walk-run-walk person. Wondering if I could maybe do the F&W half......or even the 5K.....

 

[Princess on the Run]

When I first read it, I was thinking you were hoping to still do the Princess and I was like YIKES!!!! Maybe Wine & Dine though. Once you can bear weight again, it will be easier to know how fast you'll get back to it, but for someone who was ready to do 13.1, I bet you can do a 5K in May so long as you don't plan on gutting it out elite-style.

I didn't have the same problem, but I was in PT for ITBS pain. It started in September and I did Tough Mudder on my dumb leg before I finally gave in and admitted I was too hurt to not get help. My PT made me go about 6 weeks without running at all and then start up slow. I didn't get to start up again until a little over a month ago and I'm doing the Princess in 5 weeks. It's rough getting back in but you're body remembers and helps you through it. I wouldn't count Everest out just yet!

 

[Rose&Mike]

I did not have a rupture, but in the fall of 2011 I was sidelined with achilles tendonitis, p-f, a bad fat pad injury, a bad ankle sprain, and other undefined tendonitis all in the same foot. I could walk (not on the treadmill--just enough to get myself around to work, etc), but that was the only weight baring I could do for ~10 weeks. I was allowed on the bike as long as I stayed sitting and as long as nothing hurt. What saved me and kept me in shape was pool running in the deep end with a float belt. Boring as you know what, but it really kept me in shape for when I could get back on my feet. I'm guessing you can't even do that yet, but when you can, it will really help with your cardio.

My advice--listen to your p-t. Don't start back in too soon. It is fixable, but it will take time. My ankle was so lumpy and swollen I didn't think I would ever be pain free again. Now it just bothers me on the rare occasion. The strength stuff they will have you eventually start doing really does work. I have also found yoga--especially the tree poses--has really helped with my foot/ankle strength.

I am 45 and I thought I was going to never get back to the fitness level I was at before, but lo and behold, I just finished the marathon over the weekend. Hang in there.

I am happy to commiserate with you anytime you need to grumble a bit. Injuries that sideline you really are frustrating.

What does the p-t think about w&d?

 

[DIS-OH]

I was a total couch potato when I ruptured my Achilles in Aug. 2004 in a misstep on stairs. I was misdiagnosed and did not have surgery until Dec. 2004 to reattach it.

At the time, I told the ortho surgeon just to put me back together so I could walk without limping but not to do any of the fancier techniques used on athletes...because I had no athletic aspirations whatsoever.

Fast forward to 2009 when my older daughter begged me to do the 2010 Princess Half with her to celebrate her college graduation. So, I started training by walking a lot and running a little. I had to ice the Achilles after every run as I began to run more than walk. I finished the 2010 PHM in just under 3 hours.

I am now training to run my 4th PHM and I completed the 2012 Disneylad Half as well. My time has dropped to around 2:30 and I have no problems with the repaired Achilles...don't even need to ice it after running anymore!

And, in case you are wondering, I was 46 when I ruptured it!

My advice is to find a good surgeon and PT and follow their advice! Being active, I'll bet you recover quickly!

 

[Princess on the Run]

At the time, I told the ortho surgeon just to put me back together so I could walk without limping but not to do any of the fancier techniques used on athletes...because I had no athletic aspirations whatsoever.

Fast forward to 2009 when my older daughter begged me to do the 2010 Princess Half with her to celebrate her college graduation. So, I started training by walking a lot and running a little. I had to ice the Achilles after every run as I began to run more than walk. I finished the 2010 PHM in just under 3 hours.

I am now training to run my 4th PHM and I completed the 2012 Disneylad Half as well. My time has dropped to around 2:30 and I have no problems with the repaired Achilles...don't even need to ice it after running anymore!

And, in case you are wondering, I was 46 when I ruptured it!

Awesome!!!

 

[makelab]

Sorry, I should have written this better. I WAS signed up for the half this month but ruptured my tendon days before. I'm a walk-run-walk person. Wondering if I could maybe do the F&W half......or even the 5K.....

Get well first and foremost. There is no upside trying to 'get back quick'. Most Wine and Dine training programs start in June or July (18 week), so you have plenty of time. Probably enough for ToT 10 miler.
As we all age, we have to listen to our bodies first. I remember all the playing through pain when I was in high school and college, but it has not worked in a loooong time.
The days getting better may drive you crazy, since you were quite active before, but they are worth it.

 

[JennyDrake]

Thank you for all of the heart felt responses, especially DIS-OH!!

I have not been to PT yet--will not go for another 6 weeks until series of casts come off. I get stitches out and my first cast on Friday. Will move through a series of casts with each on "stepping down" the heel until ankle is at 90 degrees. Then out of cast and in removeable splint for 4 more weeks of non-wearing bearing, but PT will start. THEN 30 days later, start weight bearing.

Jenny

 

[DIS-OH]

You're welcome!

Your post-op schedule sounds very familiar. I remember being casted with toes pointing down and the gradually being stepped down until my foot was flat again.

PT was intesting...most frustrating was trying to pick up marbles with my toes!

 

[jimandami]

DH ruptured his achilles just over 4 years ago. At the time, he was moderately fit and active, but not exercising regularly. I am going to be perfectly honest and tell you it took 6 months for him to even be able to raise up on his toe and a good year until he was completely normal. Now, since then, we have both completed the Insanity program many times, run several halfs, Tough Mudder, many other obstacle races and just finished our first marathon last weekend...he has zero trouble with his achilles. I have a friend, though, who didn't let hers heal properly, and she just had a second surgery several years later to repair the damage. I know it is frustrating, but you need to let yourself heal and do the PT. I do not think W & D would be a good idea. I would should for the 1/2 next year!

 

[TEK224]

I had a partially torn achilles about 5 years ago. Did it at WDW during the race (or so the Dr. assumes). I had surgery in March 2008to reattach. Was in a 1/2 cast/splint like contraption for 6 weeks, then crutches with no weight bearing for 4 weeks, then crutches with light weight-bearing for 4 weeks. I did PT and was allowed to start LIGHT running in mid-September. I was shooting for the Goofy. While I was able to complete the half, I got swept in the full. Just didn't have enough time to build up the pace to stay ahead of the sweepers.

I've completed several half marathons since that injury and have not had any achilles problems.

 

[J3nn78]

I had a complete rupture in 2008 with a freak bike accident. I was not a runner prior, but fairly active. I was not allowed any weight bearing for 10 weeks after surgery. Then I went through 3 months of intense PT. I read the same websites you likely did and was so scared I would never be the same. I won't lie, recovery was brutal and even a year after I had soreness after a lot of walking. I started running about a year after my accident and have since completed a full marathon and numerous halves. It still gets sore from time to time, but completely manageable. But, even 4.5 years later, I still do not have full strength in my leg. I cannot raise up on my toes on that foot alone.
Wine and Dine will be iffy. This is an injury that takes a long time to recover from and most are ever 100%. My advice is to give PT yur all when you go and to continue te exercises at home as well.

Good luck to you!

 

[JennyDrake]

A quick update: 10 days ago staples came out and I got my first full, fiberglass cast. In 30 days (Feb 22) I go back for a new cast in which my ankle will be set at 90 degrees. The Dr. said, "We will look at weight bearing in the new cast and try to get you walking." WONDERFUL--if it happens as I would be (started) walking at 7 weeks instead of 12. As I am still sorta fit (I feel like I have rotted into the couch) and not overweight and my lifestyle and occupation include lots of walking, the Dr. said he is not certain I will need PT, but we would see how I did walking, then add PT as needed. Many thanks for the replies and encouragement to do EXACTLY as prescribed (I will!). Updates after I sport a new cast. BTW, yes I am Stir Crazy and BORED out of my mind.

 

[DIS-OH]

Glad to hear your recovery is going well! Before you know it, you will be

 

[J3nn78]

That's great but I strongly recommend the PT. at least for a little while to learn the exercises and stretches.

 

[JennyDrake]

February 21 I got a new cast in which they set the ankle as close to 90 degrees as they could get it. Another 30 days of forced captivity *sigh*, then out of this cast March 25 and onto walking. I have no idea whether I will be in a boot or splint or nothing.

So I am trying to be patient and am still obediently ZERO weight bearing.

Next update in a month!!! Oh, next WDW trip April 30!!

 

[JennyDrake]

3/25 after 11 LONG weeks I got out of the cast (one week early!)

I am in a walking boot and was off crutches in one day.

I go back to the Dr. in 3 weeks. Until then I can clomp about indoors in the boot as much as I like. If I am not up and about I do not have to wear the boot, but it is a pain to take on and off. Several times a day I come out of the boot for ROM exercises.

While indoors I can put on running shoes and stand/walk for very short periods (start w/ 5 min per day) MUST use BOTH crutches.

So far no pain and not much soreness but golly geez is that ankle tight--as was to be expected--and still very pronounced swelling in foot and ankle.

Thanks for all of the support and input--my next WDW trip is April 30th-May 6th.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Glad it is going well! Congrats on getting on your feet again!