First thing: chronic calf issues. For years I looked for answers.
My take: it's not metabolic, it's not the shoes, it's not your technique (unless you're running with very poor economy). It's the calf muscles and how they function. They work eccentrically when you run. Meaning they lengthen as they contract. Like lowering a dumbbell during a biceps curl. We don't train for this, so the calf muscles suffer damage.
The answer? Eccentric heel exercises. These are the only exercises that train your calf muscles to work as they do during running. They will condition the muscles and achilles tendons.
I call them 'Up one two, down on ones.'
Stand on the edge of a step and hold on. Let your heels hang over the edge and raise up on the toes of both feet. Take the weight off your left toes and lower you right heel for two seconds.
Push yourself up on your toes again with both feet, lower your right heel again for two seconds. Repeat 5-10 times with each leg.
Here's the key part: repeat again, this time with the knee bent.
So: Up on two feet, down on one 5-10 times each. Repeat with the knee bent.
Go slowly, be careful, don't do these if you have pain. A basic wall stretch feels pretty good after these. Three times a week is plenty; incorporate them into your core training.
Here's a link with lots of detail:
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/...lles-tendinitis.html
Dr Jay
http://www.Tri-Pod.net
My take: it's not metabolic, it's not the shoes, it's not your technique (unless you're running with very poor economy). It's the calf muscles and how they function. They work eccentrically when you run. Meaning they lengthen as they contract. Like lowering a dumbbell during a biceps curl. We don't train for this, so the calf muscles suffer damage.
The answer? Eccentric heel exercises. These are the only exercises that train your calf muscles to work as they do during running. They will condition the muscles and achilles tendons.
I call them 'Up one two, down on ones.'
Stand on the edge of a step and hold on. Let your heels hang over the edge and raise up on the toes of both feet. Take the weight off your left toes and lower you right heel for two seconds.
Push yourself up on your toes again with both feet, lower your right heel again for two seconds. Repeat 5-10 times with each leg.
Here's the key part: repeat again, this time with the knee bent.
So: Up on two feet, down on one 5-10 times each. Repeat with the knee bent.
Go slowly, be careful, don't do these if you have pain. A basic wall stretch feels pretty good after these. Three times a week is plenty; incorporate them into your core training.
Here's a link with lots of detail:
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/...lles-tendinitis.html
Dr Jay
http://www.Tri-Pod.net