sharkbaitguy wrote:
I developed calf/achilles issues after starting more strength training and crossfit type workouts. As a result I found and was referred to
Muscle Activation Technique. I still can not explain this to anyone and the only way is to experience it. All I can say is that it has taught me a lot and improved my mobility and strength.
I have been going for over a year now and believe in the philosophy of issues/pain/etc. are a result of a weakness which may be caused by something else being off. In my case, weak hamstrings and lower back along with the training stress caused my issues. My calves and achilles were making up for lack of strength elsewhere.
Prior to MAT I tried traditional rest, physical therapy (massage, ice and rest), etc., but this did not treat the cause, only put a band aid over the pain. I now spend more time working on strengthening individual points such as hip abduction, hamstring and working on movements individually.
So my layman's $0.02 is look into seeing if your calf issues are the result of a weakness somewhere else rather than just treating the immediate problem of pain/discomfort.
What he said.
Tweaked calf four days out from IMNZ, did it anyway (run was, well, a walk mostly). Still having issues, but all to do with weakness elsewhere (hamstrings, glutes, lower back, core etc etc). So working on that, getting better but real slow. Everyone I've spoken to about calf issues have said that it takes a loooong time to come right (relatively speaking) so don't rush it and make sure it's not a symptom of some other imbalance/weakness.
Best of luck with it - find a good physio who does sports (preferably triathlon/running).