I’m coming back from a knee injury at the end of last season incurred during a 10 km race. I used rest, ice, compression and elevation on the knee, walked with a cane for two months and was able to get back to walking and short gentle jogs of 100 m or so without any pain. This spring I’ve started to run again and have encountered a problem I’ve never had in 40 odd years of running regularly.
When I run I get intense cramps on the front outside face of my lower legs (front of calf, 2 o’clock on right leg, 10 o’clock on left leg with the front of leg being 12). The cramp extends from about 6 inches belong my knee and eventually stretches to the top of each foot. They start after about 10 min of running and continue on for about 30 minutes after I stop. I stretch for about 20 minutes before each run. I do yoga for flexibility. I’m wearing the same type of shoe and my diet hasn’t changed since last year. I’ve tried various combinations of running and walking intervals, and short fast strides versus long slow strides. I still get cramps everytime, sometimes to the point where it is difficult to even walk. I have no problem while swimming 2,000 yards or biking 40-50 km, just while running.
Any ideas of what’s going on and what I should do besides HTFU? (and yes I did do a search on ST but didn’t find anything relevent)
Ever have shin splints? Does not sound like this is what you have, as pain associated with shin splints can be experienced when not running and can dissipate when running. I coach HS XC and I am lucky to have a great athletic trainer, and the region of discomfort you are describing is the region for shin splints. I’m not a doc, but it might be worth ruling out what you DON’T have. Good luck, I know all about running and getting older…
What you are describing sounds more like the anterior tibialis muscle. The calf muscles are on the back of your lower leg. Do a search for shin splints or anterior compartment.
I had shin splints about 30 years ago and you’re right they hurt all the time, even when walking. I only get this while running. I can walk all day without any problems. I’ve also noticed that I am more prone to get foot and toe cramps lately, you know the kind where you have to bend your toes up to release them.
Yes it does feel deep inside the shin. Tonight it is especially bad. It’s three hours after my run and I am still very tight with mild cramps. I’m massaging and stretching but it’s still very tight and sore.
Yes it does feel deep inside the shin. Tonight it is especially bad. It’s three hours after my run and I am still very tight with mild cramps. I’m massaging and stretching but it’s still very tight and sore.
If it’s not the shin but the soleus, look up soleus stretch on the 'net. I had terrible soleus cramps after I turned 40. The fix was a more focused stretch and calcium supplements. Do you have trouble sleeping, too?
What you are describing sounds more like the anterior tibialis muscle. The calf muscles are on the back of your lower leg. Do a search for shin splints or anterior compartment.
this ^^^
Does it feel like the muscles are “pumped” up but are being tightly bound up my other tissue to keep it from expanding? Feel like they are full of fluid?
Yes it does feel deep inside the shin. Tonight it is especially bad. It’s three hours after my run and I am still very tight with mild cramps. I’m massaging and stretching but it’s still very tight and sore.
If it’s not the shin but the soleus, look up soleus stretch on the 'net. I had terrible soleus cramps after I turned 40. The fix was a more focused stretch and calcium supplements. Do you have trouble sleeping, too?
I don’t have trouble sleeping. I will look up soleus stretching. Thanks.
What you are describing sounds more like the anterior tibialis muscle. The calf muscles are on the back of your lower leg. Do a search for shin splints or anterior compartment.
this ^^^
Does it feel like the muscles are “pumped” up but are being tightly bound up my other tissue to keep it from expanding? Feel like they are full of fluid?
The muscles do feel enlarged and in contraction but I wouldn’t say that they feel full of fluid.