I was wondering the same... I got too excited over the purchase of new shoes and decided to try toe striking for 15miles. I was sore for at least a week. I had trouble going down stairs for 4 days, and running was still out of the question for another 3. I chose to wait it out.

your legs are still hardening up (I was in the same boat as you not too long ago). While you "might" be injured, I would suspect not. Try going for an easy run, expect it to be a little painful for the first 5-10 minutes or so. If the pain goes away after you warm up, you're good. If not, turn around and go home.

---

Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Injured? Not really. I'd ice those calves at night for 15-20 mins and then before you run in the morning wrap them in a hot/wet towel (microwave a wet towel) and heat them up - that will loosen them up. I'd do a high cadence bike ride for your next workout for 45-60 mins on the trainer - if outside, go a bit longer. Keep it in the small chain ring - flat or rolling course - no climbs. Then, in the next 2-3 days do a couple of shorter runs of 30 mins over the next couple of days mostly at an easy pace, on a flat or rolling course - do 4-5 short pickups to 90-95% of your max pace for ONLY 50 meters or so (very short). Keep icing after runs and at night. Things will come around.

Ice it right after the run, and keep the runs short untill you gain some strenght there.

---

_________________________________________________

It hurts so bad, it feels good.

I share your calf pain, well maybe a bit more than you do. I too suffered from calf pain for about 6 weeks, got it from a cramp when running. I never really took time off and gave it time to heal. I should have paid more attention to it because about 5 weeks ago I tore my medial gastrocnemius. I was on crutches and had a cast for a short time. This week is the first time I can walk without a limp but I haven't run, cycled, walked up stairs since I tore it and I don't expect to be able to run for about another month.

How sore are we talking? Is it painful to run/walk on, or just really difficult? Is the soreness higher up towards the knee, or a bit lower in the calf?

I'm certainly not an expert on the subject, but I had a similar problem last week after doing some intervals on the track. I had a lot of soreness higher up in my calf, to the point where I almost felt as if I couldn't bend my leg. I'm guessing it happened because I was stupid and did a track workout in my second week of running after taking a break (in flats to boot).

I was really worried that it was an injury, but I what I had (and what I think you have) is probably a muscle strain. I took two rest days (one with no running and the next with a very short run), lived in compression socks 24/7, and put lots of ice on it. It went away pretty quickly. I actually didn't do much stretching, since when I tried it I felt as if my leg was being torn in half.

Not sure how much it helps, but that's my experience. I would say that as a general rule, one should err on the side of caution, especially if one is new to running. You're probably not injured, but take a day off from running and see how it feels.

---

http://lesliesexton.wordpress.com

I regularly get sore calfs, the things that have worked best for me are to be sure to stretch after a workout - be sure to stretch the soleus as well and not just the standard calf stretch. I'll also do some myofascial release using a roller I got from trigger point if they are really feeling sore. Actually, rolling the calfs along with using a roller to get the IT bands as well has probably been the most help to keeping me pain free in running and cycling.