The Core Mechanism
Tendon overload from too much intensity, too much hill or speed work, or insufficient calf strength.
The Real-World Triggers
Achilles Pain rarely has a single cause. In runners, these are the consistent contributors:
- Spike in speed or hill work without progression
- Calf weakness — the tendon takes load the muscle should absorb
- Sudden shift to minimal or zero-drop shoes
- Chronic tightness through gastroc and soleus
- Returning to running too fast after time off
Why Runners in Particular
Running concentrates repeated impact and load through the same tissues thousands of times per session. Achilles Pain develops when that load exceeds the tissue's adaptation rate — usually because training spiked, recovery dropped, or strength didn't keep up.
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