I’m trying to begin my IM base training but am having a recurring problem when i run.
Afte about 15 minutes my right calf/achilles begins to tighten up forcing me to stop and walk.
If i keep running on it it will eventually pull completely anf force me to limp home. Which unfortunately
I did a few weeks ago. I ran last Friday night and it went at the 14 min mark. So have just been biking and swimming until tonight. Went out tonight and again it started to tighten up at 14 mins. So have just ended up walking home in -2 degrees C.
I’m thinking it’s maybe a weakness thing and maybe I should do some calf raises/ stretches
Can anyone give me some advice as I’m beginning to get real fed up with this.
Play around with some different running shoes. I don’t know what type of shoe you need, but I will guess it is a different type than you have now. I was having a lot of trouble along the lines you describe about two years ago. I made the completely counterintuitive step of trying some light weight training shoes, and it helped a lot.
Also, do a search on a thread titled Ouch, my calf hurts. There was some good advice there.
This has been a big problem for me this past year and just today I went to the ortho about what were calf problems but has since turned into an achilles sprain that is very troublesome.
You can google calf strains, achilles strains etc and get quite informed. Stretching is key, but if you are having onset of consistent pulling/pain when you go out, my best recommendation is TOTAL rest from using that muscle group…for at LEAST two weeks.
I have not done that, having stopped running but continuing to swim big yardage with kick turns…and that hasn’t let the achilles truly heal. Had I totally rested this latest occurrence for 2-3 weeks when it happened back in November I might be able to run pain-free today. But I didn’t and the doc said today…nothing using the flex of that tendon at all. May take another month. I hate to take time off, as I am sure you do, but I think this is really the best thing. Stretch in the meantime…this is an injury that happens more frequently as you age (and in colder weather). It sure has me right now.
Sounds like you may have a foot strike issue that aggravates your calf. Worn shoes is one possibility but my guess is that you have a awkward strike that is causing a twisting motion on your calf/achilles. Are you using orthodics ? If so, you may need to get re-evaluated by a professional. If not, consult a foot specialist with a running background. Avoid hard orthodics. Try to find a “Good Feet” type, flexible product.
If all is well from a bio-mechanical perspective try reviewing your diet. Supplements, etc. may be helpful. I have a friend who is a vegetarian and is constantly injured. Sometimes there is a connection between the injury and nutrition.
I’ll concur with winetrader67. I am religious about using good shoes, but I think I let a pair of saucony’s go too long because they had become “comfortable.” …when I had my wife stand in them after this latest problem she was amazed at how the heels had worn to one side…they didn’t have a lot of miles and I guess I got too used to it and…So, check shoe wear and I also have started using a otc heel pad, at least for the short term, to help the situation.
LSD - your calf muscles are not likely “weak”. Most runners have some type of posterior muscle group equinus, or tightness if anything. Couple that with some other biomechanical maladay (or even worn out/bad shoes as has been mentioned), and now your gastrocnemius muscle is working overtime. I’m not a huge proponent of stretching for everything under the sun, but a good stretching program (in addition to changing shoes/finding any other biomechincal issues - likely in the foot/ankle) would be a good place to start. Strengthening the posterior muscle group will probably not do much. Reminds me of my swim stroke - if I just pull harder and windmill enough, I should get faster right?
I had success seeing a chiropractor who is ART certified and it worked well for me. I was running at 80% after 2 sessions and back 100% after 4 sessions. I had him work on my calves for the remainder of the season, I also use a massage stick 2-3 weeks and I have not had any further problems.