Pains in calf muscle

Sainttoff

Hi All;


Has anyone ever got pains in their calf muscle a few days after a run. Basically in the last week or so I seem to of a picked up an injury where the day after a run i have pains in the calf muscle, even when i walk on.

Currently using ice back one day and hot heat pack another day on the leg to see if it makes a difference!

Didnt run last night as was sore so didnt want to risk it but have the last big run this weekend!

Any ideas?

Highway_To_Hell

I can’t give you any advice but I have also noticed that my calf muscles are a bit tender this week, could be down to the longer weekend runs |I have been doing over the past few weeks. I am probably being over protective with myself at the moment as I would hate to miss out on the big day due to doing something silly. Decided to take a rest day yesterday and did an hour in the pool this morning instead of a run. I have a long run planned for the weekend but due to family commitments I have decided to take tomorrow morning off work and do a 20/22 mile run, I just hope the legs hold up tomorrow.

macinalli

Stretch!

Physios use this hot/cold approach, but I think that's for muscle tears (could be wrong). Long miles that you're doing now is going to have your calves tight and tender. Best option IMHO is to spend a good 10 minutes stretching straight after your run. It's something we all say that we do, but after 2 minutes it gets boring and we decide to stop. I'd say it's time well spent and will help you recover a lot quicker from your run.

My 2 bits worth!

Sainttoff

What kind of stretches do you recommend?


Going to do some swimming tonight to stretch it all out and again on sat.


Think i do a good bit of swimming over next 4 weeks!

MarieC

I've had a tonne of calf issues so you're in luck!

First and foremost, if you're going swimming this evening, see if you could go for an aquajog instead, its better for the muscles. Gives them a very good workout.

Are you stretching before and after running? You should be doing so anyway, warm up the quads, calves etc. For my calves I do lunges, just one leg far out in front of the other, put pressure on back leg and strectch the front one forwards. You shoud feel the burn. repeat on both sides. I also find going on my tippy toes, holding the stretch and then slowly lowering down is brilliant for before and after a run - i even do it in the shower!

Then when I go home, I get some of the fantastic "Weleda" massage balm oil with calendula - its specific for relieving muscular tension. I do some deep massage on my calves and front of the shin - for the ligament connecting the muscle to the bone. I find that it really really helps. I put this on most evenings after a run.

If you are not running from home, and its hard to get an ice-pack after ur run, u can still put it on when u go home that evening. it will still help. I was surprised when the physio told me this but it works.

Another option, but prob too soon to marathon - is to get dry needling on your calves. I had this done. While it is savagely sore it works wonders. Definitely dont get that done now tho, too soon to marathon.

Hope some of this helps. And Im not a professional, just someone who gets injured, so dont take any of what I said as gospel. Oh and the internet/local gym will be able give you exercises specific for your calves. But dont forget about your thighs/hamstrings etc. either!!!

Good luck!!