Day Two Hundred and Twenty Seven - Insertional Achilles Tendonopathy

Dear all,

Let this be a lesson to you all: If you run for 15 miles a day, you will get injured and you will probably get injured bad. I have acquired a multitude of running-based injuries over the years but my philosophy has always been to 'run through them' unless I can't run and then I shuffle [with a heavy heart] into the physio's office waving the white flag.

My heel had grown a rather large, protruding lump that had been sending shooting pains up and down my leg when I ran and now, even when I was walking. Darren had been extremely supportive but was starting to 'gently' urge me to do something about it. It wasn't until I started to find it difficult to walk in the mornings that I decided to seek the aid of a professional.

So, I took myself down to the Synergy Wellness Centre on First Street. I must admit that the reason I chose this particular centre ( and there are many [winter=injuries]) is that it always has nice flower displays outside (clearly a good indication of an excellent sports physiotherapist) http://www.synergywellnesscentre.com/

Dr. Rene took me in under his wing and managed to fix me up with a ton of needles, deep tissue massage and a few 'strong' words regarding my fitness regime. Turns out I have 'Insertional Achilles Tendonopathy' http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/insertional-achilles-tendinopathy/tn8374 *Yikes*.He is a sportsman himself so understood the compulsion to run, jump and swim but also added that if I wanted to 'continue' to run on my legs, that i would have to stop and/ or tone it down. He also gave me a wonderful medicinal anti-inflammatory cream called Traumeel containing the wonder-herb Arnica (http://www.arnica.com/), to initiate greater healing. http://www.traumeel.com/

I have also been using Darren's amazing cold wraps on a daily basis. He sells these incredible cold (and hot wraps) at his online store Mendmeshop. If anyone has an injury of any kind, I would highly recommended it. He is a genius; the wraps are amazing and they come in a wealth of shapes and sizes.

http://www.mendmeshop.com/ http://www.mendmeshop.ca/

My ankle is feeling much better. Thanks you Darren and thank you Synergy!

And in other news:

1. Hunting season has started! Beware everyone who lives in the forest and has fur. The back roads were lined with SUVs and trucks this morning with hoards of large men with guns all wearing luminous orange (we can them them; apparently animals can't. A very interesting fact I learned this morning].

2. One animal the hunters hadn't yet spotted is our resident porcupine. Poor Angus had a vicious altercation with Mr. Porky late last night and the facial injuries incurred were so horrific that it made Saw 3D look like The Magic Roundabout. Angus ( and everyone else) is still extremely traumatized and he still refuses to go outside. Mac is ambivalent and continues to believe that he is the King of the Jungle.