No running for me!

[Oggy2401]

After 3 months of uninterrupted running 3 times per week progressing methodicallt through c25k and now up to 8k, I woke up yesterday with a sore calf which is stopping me walk properly nevermind run. Feeling fed up that everything I read says it could take weeks to get better. Just when I was feeling so positive about the running😥😥

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Oh man 😕. Sorry to hear this. Calf strains are a bugger, I had one in April. Once it had got less painful I had a sports massage, which really helped. Some very very gentle stretching once pain has subsided can be good, too.

Understandably frustrating, and you know everyone here will totally understand how you are feeling, but please don’t despair. You will heal and you can build up again, no problem. As runners we all get injuries and niggles now and again because we are using our bodies more. I found that when I couldn’t run it helped me to focus on strengthening other bits of me (core and glutes) knowing that this would make me stronger and less injury prone when I finally got back to running. Pilates is excellent for the core. Oh, and I swam. Just tried to keep active.

I hope you heal quickly - chin up.

Sadie-runs x

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

As Sadie-runs quite rightly says I feel your pain and frustration too. I had a calf injury in Aug but a couple of sports massages and a week off and I was back to it. Worth a visit I think.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Don’t despair Oggy. Going on the IC is something that happens . Try ice and rest and then if it doesn’t help I’d recommend seeing a sports physio. They can diagnose and give you appropriate exercises and get you back running quickly. Do you do calf strengthening exercises in between your runs? That does help keep them working.

Good luck

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

So sorry to hear this Oggy2401, lots of good advice has been offered and hopefully you'll heal well and be back running in the future.

[Silverfox1943 Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Hi Oggy I have had 3 recent calf strains. 1st after wk8r2 very painful, so did one & half weeks rest with daily stretches and ice. Some gentle walks.

Another wk9 not as bad, same routine only 3 day break.

Last week after a run but only needed 1 day rest.

My rt calf feels tighter than the left, so slow running and regular stretching seems to work. Its hard to hold back at times but I'm finding I am slowly getting faster & feel stronger. Slow is the word. I'm now onto wk 11 (consolidating) and age 75.

If it persists will consider a physio.

[Oggy2401 Graduate10]

Thank you for your messages of support and advice. I'm doing the rest and ice and won't run until the pain has gone. Then I'll see how it goes and start back running slowly x