I apparently have developed insertional Achilles tendinitis right before starting team workouts for H.S. XC. not sure what set it off; other than maybe repeated hill workouts wearing 4-7mm offset shoes. I'm doing the recommended heel exercises. Would going back to high heel drop shoes or heel inserts help?
doing the FLAT eccentric drops I hope? And yes higher offset should help somewhat, dont expect a miracle cure
Hopefully your coach has you Eliminating hills entirely. I was not doing the hill work that you were but I had a very tight calf/Achilles I was wearing a 4mm drop I went right to an old NB that was 12mm felt a noticeable relief. On Amazon I picked up a pair of Reebok One Cushion for $45- it has a 12mm drop but what I like is the medium firm/soft midsole this is actually what the Zap Elite athletes train in. I have heard that in addition to a traditional drop a rigid heel like the Wave Rider may serve well but the Reebok for me seemed to be enough. So traditional drop, stop hills, monitor feel/runs and adjust for distance accordingly.