Hi Everyone,
I have been having some calf issues for the past month and am looking to see if anyone has experienced the same thing. I have an appt with my sports medicine doctor next week, but want to see if any of you guys have thoughts on what might be triggering my pain so I can go into my appointment with as much info as possible.
Background: I’ve run 6 marathons and 2 ultras, so I’m definitely not a beginner runner, but I’ve only been running about 3 years so I’m not “seasoned”. Right now I am running about 50/60 mpw with some minor cross training. I cut out all speedwork and tempo runs once my pain began. I run in a combination of neutral shoes and performance trainers. Two weeks into my pain I thought shoes may be a culprit so I switched mainly to running in my performance trainers. The pain began when I was up in Canada and running on a treadmill. Prior to the treadmill running, I started getting IT band problems, so I wonder if IT issues may be a trigger. I have a history of stress fx, fracturing my pelvis in my first year of running.
The pain: Knots/tightness in my right calf. Knots are mainly on the outside main section of my calf. But—when I run I also get pain that extends along the inside of my calf towards my ankle. When I massage an area along my tibia, I get this weird sharp pain followed by tingling. I know this screams stress fracture red flag, but I’ve been running on this for a month. When I run, I have pain until about mile 5. During the first 5 miles, I am super tight and my leg will buckle a bit (pain/tightness extends up to hamstring). After mile 5, everything is fine. When I stop running the inside of my calf throbs for about 5 minutes. Running fast seems to make it better—I even PR’d in a half marathon last week with this. To me, this indicates it may be something biomechanical–when I run fast, maybe I run more on my midfoot? I’ve been using my trigger point system every other night, and it just won’t get better. The good part is it doesn’t seem to be getting any worse, either.
Anyways, that’s the long story, but I would appreciate any thoughts you guys have so I can have my doc rule out everything. Thanks!
I developed post tib tendonitis in my right leg. After taking off 3 months from running i started getting pain along the inside of my right calf. Then when i started running my whole right foot and calf would cramp up occasionally. I got a pair of orthotics, started using Trigger Point Therapy products, and started seeing a chiropractor. The chiro informed me that my hips were off and i over loaded my right side by 10lbs with each step. Since taking these steps i have had no major issues Knock on Wood . Go get some deep tissue massage to get it worked out and have a chrio checkout your hips. Hope you recovery quickly.
I have the same issue with my inner calf on my right leg. Hurts for a while then goes away, it also feels better the faster I run…wouldnt mind hearing what your doc says. The pain started the morning after a marathon about 7 weeks ago. I have thought it was a stress fracture also, but I just dont want to hear that.
Hi Everyone,
I have been having some calf issues for the past month and am looking to see if anyone has experienced the same thing. I have an appt with my sports medicine doctor next week, but want to see if any of you guys have thoughts on what might be triggering my pain so I can go into my appointment with as much info as possible.
Background: I’ve run 6 marathons and 2 ultras, so I’m definitely not a beginner runner, but I’ve only been running about 3 years so I’m not “seasoned”. Right now I am running about 50/60 mpw with some minor cross training. I cut out all speedwork and tempo runs once my pain began. I run in a combination of neutral shoes and performance trainers. Two weeks into my pain I thought shoes may be a culprit so I switched mainly to running in my performance trainers. The pain began when I was up in Canada and running on a treadmill. Prior to the treadmill running, I started getting IT band problems, so I wonder if IT issues may be a trigger. I have a history of stress fx, fracturing my pelvis in my first year of running.
The pain: Knots/tightness in my right calf. Knots are mainly on the outside main section of my calf. But—when I run I also get pain that extends along the inside of my calf towards my ankle. When I massage an area along my tibia, I get this weird sharp pain followed by tingling. I know this screams stress fracture red flag, but I’ve been running on this for a month. When I run, I have pain until about mile 5. During the first 5 miles, I am super tight and my leg will buckle a bit (pain/tightness extends up to hamstring). After mile 5, everything is fine. When I stop running the inside of my calf throbs for about 5 minutes. Running fast seems to make it better—I even PR’d in a half marathon last week with this. To me, this indicates it may be something biomechanical–when I run fast, maybe I run more on my midfoot? I’ve been using my trigger point system every other night, and it just won’t get better. The good part is it doesn’t seem to be getting any worse, either.
Anyways, that’s the long story, but I would appreciate any thoughts you guys have so I can have my doc rule out everything. Thanks!
just be careful, I was ramping up run volume for IMAZ in 2008, had some calf pain and continued on with my training, I was in the best shape of my life, I would run 20 miles, then go on 4-5 hour hikes that afternoon, anyways, I strained my calf muscle, probably the soleous and couldnt run, my sub 3 run shape turned into a 6+ hour marathon at IMAZ as I walked almost the entire way.
Who knows, had I taken some time off and gotten some ART, maybe I would have not hurt it so bad, also, since then, I have to be careful with it.
Not sure if this is your experience but I bought a pair of shoes with extra stability - I have low arches and could use the extra support - right? They kicked my ass. I started the season off with them and though it was my sorry ass needed more training. I did a HIM and was cooked. Following week I went back to my pair of Asics racers that I keep at the office and it was like night and day. Think the change in shoes to a lightly cushioned shoe made a huge difference in my calves. Sure I get sore - but that’s training - with the original shoes it was cramping and pain. I also swear by my foam roller to roll out the calves, quads, hamstrings and IT band. HTH.