Okay, first off- I don't have Achilles Tendinitis. Actually, since I have tendonitis in the front of my ankles, my knees, my hips, my shoulders, and my elbows, it is one of the few tendons that isn't -itised.
BUT- I have major pain in the Achilles Tendon when I skate. I can actually feel it get tighter during lessons, and then by the time I get home, I am limping since I cannot extend my foot well enough to walk normally. This morning, I am still in a small amount of pain from last night, limping on stairs, but otherwise walking normally.
My boots are stiff, but broken in. I can get good bend in them, through the front- but the back is very firm.
I have very tight calves, which I know causes extra pull on the Achilles Tendon. (And also prevents me from stretching my hamstrings, because any stretch I try to do just pulls my calves)
Does anyone have any suggestions? I have a foam roller and use it religiously on my calves, quads, and IT band. Would ice-cup massaging the band help anything? It helps my knee when I have tendon problems...but I hate doing it. It is so cold.
I just don't want the tendon to rupture, but if I just have to deal with the pain, I can do that
Is this normal for skating? (It is much worse on my landing side then my other leg, but I think it has more to do with jumping up than coming down, since it is the pointing of the foot where it feels the tightest.)