Had a good sob today

[Trying2run]

I ran my second 10k on 22nd April and I’ve really been in pain since. Gave up and went to the physio last night and she doesn’t really know what’s wrong but I have a thickening of my Achilles on the outside and very tight calves. I’m in so much pain walking is so difficult. I spent so long being fat and lazy that I’m truly devastated at the moment.

Just whinging really and for that I’m sorry. People have things so much worse than I do.

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Did the physio tell you what's caused this? Did she give you exercises/stretches to do? It's a bit frustrating if she couldn't tell you the reasons and tbh that's what I expect from a physio.

Tight calves can cause all sorts of problems and injuries so you should definitely do some work trying to loosen them up a bit. Soak the bottom part of your legs in hot water with Epsom Salt added, then foam roller and then stretch. You need to do this regularly especially once you start running longer distances.

Also, if you can, invest in a sports massage. It hurts like bu**ery but it really keeps calves supple.

I hope you can get to the bottom of what's causing the problem but it does sound fixable. Keep the faith T2R 🙂

[Hidden]

Oh, bless you. don't despair, it will probably get better quite fast. Do you have a roller wand for the tight calves? Mine sometimes feel really tight after a long run. Hugs x

[bsimonuk Graduate10]

Is it possible that you heel strike a little too much? I have had Achilles tendinitis before . Do you stretch before and after a run ? A foam roller is also really good for thight calves. Hope you feel better soon .

[Trying2run Graduate10]

Yes I stretch. I’m only allowed to move my ankle a lot and try to walk properly for a week till I go back. She’s strapped me up too.

She doesn’t want me to stretch or foam roll. I need to start small and build up.

And yes she did deep tissue massage. It was ........painful 😂

[Trying2run Graduate10]

And thank you all for being kind.

[SusieHicks]

Poor you! Don’t despair. It may be fixable, though it may take time. But don’t give up, once it settles a bit you might be able to use the time you can’t run to do core training or swimming. With suitably loud music the gym can be fun and serotonin raising too Also have you tried those evil roller things? They hurt like hell, but relax your tight muscles.

[SusieHicks in reply to SusieHicks]

Sorry! I posted before I read the rest and I can see foam rollers are no the answer, but good luck, hang in there!

[APScotland Graduate10]

How frustrating for you! I'm very surprised she doesn't want you to stretch or roll your calves! Sounds like you've overdone it a bit, and there's some tissue damage - which happens each time we go a bit further /faster -all part of the training process but not good when it goes too far too fast! If it isn't stretched while it heals it tends to heal short so it's easy to damage again when you start running again. Can you at least get an near-infra red heat lamp and spend 2 x 10 mins per day with that on your sore bits? It promotes blood flow and the heat gets deep into your muscles to speed healing. My partner has been seeing an excellent physio recently who recommended stretching and moving very gently to no more than 3 out of 10 on the pain scale. It has worked wonders on flexibility and function, with a controlled amount of pain! Good luck ... and as my running-mad tutor once told me, sore calves/knees/ankles are nature's way of telling you to work on your upper body! Time to get the dumbells / exercise bands out and work out what you can do while your calves heal. Read the excellent "Body Fat Solution" by Tom Venuto - which is about the importance of feeding our muscles xx

[garym Graduate10]

Don’t worry about winging that’s what we are ere for 😀. Hope it gets sorted and your back out hitting the road.