I run a lot. Last summer I finish a 100 mile trail race across the Sierras. Why???? Another story.
2 things you might try.
1. Don't, yep that's do not, stretch before you've slowly and thoroughly warm up the legs. Not every part of a muscle, used to run, you would use to jump. Even in cycling, slightly different leg muscles are use when transistioning from flat ground to hills. So why stretch the whole muscle cold. Same for tendons.
I believe in a slow warm up doing what you're going to do. Then do a normal stretch after the exercise.
2. Try stretching the achilles tendon by lifting the toes as opposed to dropping the heal, keeping your weight on the heel. Two sets of 20 seconds on... on each foot.
I'm not an expert on the subject and I'm sure some out there will scream at my suggestion, but I'm almost 50, have officiated HS Varsity for 15 years and I'm still going strong. Knock on wood!
jc
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