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I know achilles problems become more common in the ageing athlete I hope my experience may give some guidance. I've had chronic Achilles tendinitis every season for the past three years it has gotten progressively worse each year. After the first 2-3 times jumping it would come on. Stretching and ice had been my primary treatment. This year I decided to get serious about this thing. back in Nov. I started riding my bike 15mi 3 times a week. I lost 20+lbs went from 209 and 16% body fat down to 187lbs not sure were my bf is now. when i lift weights twice a week I do a exercise for caffs every work out. Finally, I have been taping my ankle so as to limit dorsiflexion at the ankle. The combination of all of these things seems to be working. I have not had a hint of Achilles problems yet this year. My only problem now is I'm so slow from trying not to run hard the past three years I need to work on my acceleration.

Thanks for sharing that Robert. I too have had problems my entire career--only this year I could barely walk for a week after every competition. I also have had success with Ice and calf exercises, but I think what really helped me was implementing a series of toe walking exercises into my warm-up routine. I basically do a series of 20m walks on my toes, inverted, everted and toes straight ahead. I than do 2 sets walking on the very back of my heels. I did also end up taking some advice from Bubba Sparks and I bought some really light weight flats (Nike 5.0's.) It has now been over a month since I have had any pain while training.

just broke my age group meet record last night clearing 14'6" from 6 lefts on a mediocre vault. But, is it nice to actually be able to take some warm up jumps and not limited being limited to 2-3 times down the runway like I have been the past three years because of the achillies.

NICE!! CONGRATS!!! Bubba