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Calf Strain - 3 weeks to marathon

  • 11-10-2008 7:33pm
    #1
    Jason_77
    Closed Accounts Posts: 92 ✭✭


    Hi All,

    I have strained my calf during training and I am worried about the marathon in 3 weeks.
    Going for physio on Tuesday, but currently in pain when even walking. Been 5 days since I have been able to run.

    Any of you ever had a calf strain so close to an event? What are the prospects of been ok for the marathon?

    Hopefully with intense physio, I will be ok, but advice appreciated.

    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    figs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 610 ✭✭✭figs


    I've struggled majorly with calf strains in the the past while. It's something that takes a while to shake. I've found complete rest is the only solution, in my case at least two weeks.

    While resting, I've massaged the calf twice a day and some light stretching also has worked for me. I suppose it depends on the extent of the injury, so best to get an opinion from the physio, and plan a recovery based on that.

    Whatever you do, be realistic. It's dissapointing to miss a race, but you're better off missing one race than getting a serious injury.


  • #3
    tdlynch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 36 ✭tdlynch


    I'm not sure if I had a calf strain, but one calf tightened on Mon after a fast run and was worse the following night after a recovery run.

    I managed 10 miles today just off marathon pace, and no reaction in at all.

    My course of action was:
    • Take 2 full days off - no exercise
    • Get a deep tissue massage
    • Take a hot bath
    • Apply Waleda Massage Oil (with Arnica) a couple of times a day
    • Use an eliptical trainer to warm up before the run...
    • ... and a sauna after the run
    • Followed by a good 10 min stretch, concentrating on the calves

    It is possible to recover quickly from these things. If you've already got the miles in your legs, you can afford to take it easy over the last couple of weeks and let your body recover naturally.

    I guess the important thing is to come back nice and easily, gently raising the effort to see what the calves can take.

    Best of luck - all going well, we'll be seeing you at the start in a couple of weeks...


  • #4
    plodder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,563 ✭✭✭plodder


    Jason_77 wrote: »
    Hi All,

    I have strained my calf during training and I am worried about the marathon in 3 weeks.
    Going for physio on Tuesday, but currently in pain when even walking. Been 5 days since I have been able to run.

    Any of you ever had a calf strain so close to an event? What are the prospects of been ok for the marathon?

    Hopefully with intense physio, I will be ok, but advice appreciated.

    Thanks.
    Same thing happened to me approx 3 weeks before my first marathon. Physio treatment, with ultrasound, electrical stimulation and massage did the trick. So, I was able to run the race, with no problem. Obviously, it depends of the severity of the tear, but I would be hopeful.


  • #5
    macinalli
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 907 ✭✭✭macinalli


    Hi Jason,

    I picked up a calf strain earlier in my training and it cost me about a month. It does depend though on how bad a tear it is (Grade 1, 2 or 3) but your physio should be able to set you straight. If your calf isn't right, you won't be able to run at all, never mind 26 miles. The good thing though is that once it is ok, you should be good to go as the training miles are already in the bank. Best of luck!


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