'Twitchiness' in (old) leg muscles

[stepover]

I'm 57. I recently had a month off after hurting my hamstring in a sprint over uneven ground (idiot!). Last night I went for my first run back, 5k. It was fine but afterwards I noticed a sort of 'twitchiness' in my legs, mainly the calves. Not painful. Not cramp. It came and went in little spots. I realised that when I was running three times a week, the twitchiness a) covered more of the muscles b) was stronger and c) was more constant. I'd stopped paying attention to it because it was so normal for me, even though I never had it when I was younger. What is this? Does it have a name? Is it something I need to try and reduce? If so, how?

Many thanks in advance!

[Speedy60 Graduate10]

It could be lack of fluid, especially if you sweat a lot. Dehydration might also lead to a lack of electrolytes, which can make your muscles twitch.

I have to add that I'm not a medical expert, or even a running expert. If you're worried about it, always get a professional opinion. Good luck 👍

[stepover in reply to Speedy60]

Very interesting. Thanks!

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Hello and welcome to the bridge .I would suggest that after a month off you would have been better not going out to run a 5k .

Your aerobic capacity could well have reduced and also your resistance to injury.

Ideally you need to rebuild this back with gradual progressive sessions.

I also notice from your previous posts that you started C25K several times and always started from week 5 !

And have also previously picked up calf injuries and shin splints .

I suspect these could have been avoided by starting at week 1

It takes time to build or rebuild your strength and stamina and equally as important your resistance to injury

It sounds to me as though you are pushing too far too soon .

I notice these points were also picked up previously on the C25k forum by several members including IannodaTruffe .

Take your time getting back into it , there is no rush .

Gradual progressive training is your safest way to get back into it giving you the best chance of enjoying your running and avoiding further injury .

I would also agree with Speedy60 that hydration could also be an issue .

Remember you want to be drinking around 2.5 to 3 litres a day to stay fully hydrated .

Take care

[stepover in reply to Instructor57]

So thoughtful! Thank you.

I actually took the advice I was given and went back and did the Couch to 5k from the very beginning!!! That was in September/October and I've been running steadily since. Thanks for the advice. I'll go back to shorter distances and work my way back to 5k.

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to stepover]

I have recently just had over a month off with chronic Sinus problems and restarted by going out and seeing what I could do without pushing myself .This was around 3k .

So I have now run 3x3k and may gradually start to increase my distance again on one of my runs in the week but I'm in no rush 😁

Take care !

[IannodaTruffe Graduate10]

Do you stretch after every run?

Stretching immediately after every run, nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/h... while muscles are still warm and supple, pulls out contractions, avoiding carrying tensions into the next run and also improves recovery by improving blood flow, as recommended in the guide to the plan.

Many people do not hold their stretches for long enough or put enough effort in. Hold post run stretches for 30 seconds and make sure the pull is strong enough to be on the verge of discomfort.

[stepover in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks. Good tips. That's longer that I have been doing.

[nowster Graduate10]

My initial guess would be that you're skipping the post run stretches and not drinking enough. As others have said, you may be doing too much, too soon.

[stepover]

Update: shorter run (3k) + lengthier stretches = no twitching. Thanks guys!