My Achilles Heel

An Achilles’ heel is a deadly weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, metaphorical references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common. This equals IRONY.
Training has taken a turn for the worse over the past week. After coming off a solid month of mileage, I seem to have a text book case of tendinitis in my Achilles tendon, and training has officially halted after reading it is possible to rupture the tendon and/or cause permanent damage.

This tendon is the largest in the body and can withstand force many times greater than a person’s weight.

Achilles tendinitis involves inflammation of the Achilles tendon as a result of overuse. To treat Achilles tendinitis, decrease playing time, take NSAIDs, use heel lifts in your regular shoes, and diligently stretch the calf muscles with your leg straight. Or, sit on your butt and eat ice-cream. :)

In the story of Achilles, his mother, in an attempt to make her son immortal, dips him in the River Styx holding him by his ankles. Because the river could not touch his feet where she held them, it was where he was most vulnerable. He ultimately died from a poisoned spear to the foot.

While I do not fear death as a result of this injury, I do feel as though I am mourning the death of a beloved friend during this hiatus in my training for Boston. The plan is to give it a week's rest and resume training for the final 6 weeks to the race. This past week has given me time to reflect on my training goals as well as recharge my battery for the home stretch.