About 5-6 weeks ago I stopped running because of terrible calf tightness in my right leg. I figured an increase in mileage, hill repeats, etc (which all started around the holidays) caused the tightness in the first place. I ramped up my cycling in the meantime, and still the tightness persists, albeit not as badly… which makes me wonder if the cycling was contributing to the tight calf in the first place (I’ve had running related injuries in the past, but never with the calf). Does anyone have any insight on bike fit and calf issues? I swapped out the saddle on my bike for the first time this year. I have the Adamo Attack, which I love expect for this pesky injury. It is related? Or something else?
what are you currently doing for flexibility?
I’m stretching it everyday. I’ve been taking a foam roller and lacrosse ball to it a couple times per week, but the tightness is deep and it doesn’t feel like I reach the affected area.
Hard to say. It could be the cycling, especially if your calf is in a fixed position (limited range of motion at the ankle, so the calf is isometrically contracted during the ride).
It could be that the foot/calf are in a new position – i.e., if the new seat is a bit higher or lower, so that you need to “reach” more or less with your foot, thus changing the calf position and putting it in a situation it’s not adapted to. It’s unlikely to be the saddle itself, but it could be the saddle height.
I’ve certainly had tight calves from the combo of cycling and running – overuse is overuse regardless of the sport – though running is usually the culprit for me.
Why don’t you try spraying magnesium oil on your calf. Seriously. I bought mine from Sprouts, it called Pure Magnesium Oil and it did the trick for me.
Maybe you are pushing too hard of a gear? When I get calf pain from riding it is when I am doing big gear work. Try keeping the cadence high and see if that helps. Also make sure your cleats are in the right position.
I had persistent calf problems the past two years. Eventually developing Achilles tendinitis both years. I dropped the saddle on both of my bikes a hair and have felt amazing since. I’m usually injured at this time of the year but now I have ZERO aches or pains. I haven’t increased stretching or anything of that nature. I have increased training since I have been able to build properly without super tight calves.
Lowering the saddle is worth a shot. Especially considering this is Slowtwitch…
Get the stick roller and roll the out your lower calves…everyday for a while. Helped me with similar issues. Foam roller didnt get deep enough for me.
I had persistent calf problems the past two years. Eventually developing Achilles tendinitis both years. I dropped the saddle on both of my bikes a hair and have felt amazing since. I’m usually injured at this time of the year but now I have ZERO aches or pains. I haven’t increased stretching or anything of that nature. I have increased training since I have been able to build properly without super tight calves.
Lowering the saddle is worth a shot. Especially considering this is Slowtwitch…
My story is only 1 year, not 2, but the fix was the same. My calves got so bad (but I was not going to bail on my A race last year) I gave myself a diagnosed stress fracture. Lots of time off to heal, a very slow return to running and a lowered seat and I’m running more than ever and faster than ever.
i am going thru a similar issue with my left calf. I moved from my Tri bike to road bike for the winter and started doing speed work at the track and it was like a muscle cramp that would not go away. My PT did a Graston (sp?) procedure that helped since it gets deep enough to remove some of the knots in my calf along with the stick roller and self massage.
I found this post that helped me and hope it helps you as well. Not sure this was exactly my problem but the process described worked.
http://davidhays.net/running/calf_tears.html
Two questions:
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Are you stretching your hamstrings as well as your calfs? You should be stretching the entire chain, it might be tightness elsewhere just manifesting in the calf.
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What is your cadence? I had outer calf tightness and my research all pointed to one thing, “too low a cadence at too high a gear”, aka grinding. I got a cadence sensor and focused on 90 rpm and it went away.
could also be nerve impingement. ie, I am going through some of this right now as a result of downhill skiing. I recognize some of the dull nerve ache in other parts of leg from previous sciatica
Reexamining my saddle height and bike fit seems like a good idea. Thanks to you both!
I start PT next week… I will ask about that procedure. The self massage is definitely not reaching the deep tissue. Thanks!
Two questions:
-
Are you stretching your hamstrings as well as your calfs? You should be stretching the entire chain, it might be tightness elsewhere just manifesting in the calf.
-
What is your cadence? I had outer calf tightness and my research all pointed to one thing, “too low a cadence at too high a gear”, aka grinding. I got a cadence sensor and focused on 90 rpm and it went away.
I’ve been neglecting the hamstring when I stretch… thanks for bringing that to my attention. My cadence has always been around 90 though.
Lauren Goss also made a very important point that I forgot to mention, about cleat position. you want the cleats to be moved, on most shoes, as far back as they can so you do not need to strain your calves to push the pedals.
Maybe try foam roller.
I’m stretching it everyday.** I’ve been taking a foam roller and lacrosse ball to it a couple times per week**, but the tightness is deep and it doesn’t feel like I reach the affected area.
You should be rolling and using the lacrosse ball a couple times a day. Especially the lacrosse ball. Get in there deep. Get a stick roller too.
try crossfriction technique. my calves sore after returning to running after about year absence. though i have all sorts of gadgets for massage, crossfriction was key in busting up muscles and fasica. i used the battlestar from mobilitywod website and ran muscles across (perpendicular) to the rollers vs the regular motion.
Have you considered moving your cleats rearward
On the shoe, thus reducing the load on your calves?
Look up mid foot cleat position for the theory…
Certainly if your cleats are set so the ball of your foot is over the pedal axle then you are working your calves harder than you need too…
If you do move your cleats backward, account for the change with a corresponding movement of the saddle forward and down… You will be increasing the reach of your stroke… And over extending will only add to your problems.
Best of luck.