3 weeks ago I was in mile 5 of a 6 mile run and felt my calf tighten. I stopped and stretched it for a minute and then pushed on. About a 1/4 mile later it tightened enough to make me skip a stride. I walked the rest of the way home.
I went 2 weeks without running, did some time on the trainer(doesn’t hurt at all or feel tight). My leg felt 100% about a week into my rest.
Sunday I tried to do a 3 mile run. After 2 miles it got a tad tight so I decided to abort the run and walk home, thinking I stopped before the damage. Today it was tight in the morning buy by afternoon felt fine. I stretched out good and decided to do a 1/2 mile loop. It was way to tight/sore to think about more.
I’m not sure what to do at this point? Obviously rest and don’t run. Should I stretch every night or am I just retearing the injury? Ice or heat? How long to take off?(at two weeks I felt great but obvious was not).
I am dealing with a similar thing. Here is what I have been doing and it has seemed to help.
According to my PT my hamstrings are very tight which in-turn may cause calf tightness, in my situation. So, I have been stretching my hams regularly. In addition I have been using the calf stretcher, (place your heel/foot in thingy).
I don’t know if this has and real value but rubbing down the calf with Icy/Hot before I run. If nothing else, I am massaging the calf with the Icy/hot and increasing blood flow to the area. Then I have been icing down after each run.
I know all injuries are different but I have found getting the hams loose to reduce tension on the calves is allowed me to continue to run! It’s not pretty but running never the less.
If a pulled calf, Wrap it tight with an ace bandage all day. Also, put a heel insert in your shoes. You only need one but it feels weird if you don’t use both. They sell gel inserts in anu drug store. You should be able to run with it wrapped and with the lift. Ice after. Should be good in a couple weeks.
Hurt mine the first time 5 miles into an olympic run. Felt like someone took a hatchet to my calf. Remember reading that it tends to happen when running faster than usual or on uneven terrain. Was able to run a half marathon 2 weeks later with no pain. Good luck.
I have always had issues with my calfs being super tight and/or cramping.
Most recently the problem has brought on Plantar Fasciitis symptoms. I’ve had some great results with the TP products. (Even better than 2-3 visits a week with the Physical Therapist)
I suffered a similar injury last summer in a race. I was told NOT to stretch it for a while, that the muscle fibers would start to heal, but then could tear again. I was also told to wear heels for a few days. The doc also said a heat/ice routine for a few days would help. Good luck.
Had something similar a couple Aprils ago. Wound up seeing a PT, who did ultrasounds on it - and deep tissue massage. The massage got the knots out (my issue, maybe yours). I am not sure what caused that knot in the first place.
Leaving it alone probably won’t make it better.
Get it fixed…if your car ran rough would you let it sit till 09 and hope it would purr like a Ferrari when you fire it up next year?
Like Tigerchik posted, she got it diagnosed, then properly treated and it got better.
I feel that homecare works great for some things, however if they get stubborn seek professional help
Trigger Point Therapy. Worked for me.
You can also look into ART (Active Release Techniques) this worked wonders for me. Also stretching out those hamstrings and calves even on days when you’re not training helps a bunch!