Torn calf muscle 🙁🙁

[tobydog31]

Hi

I completed wk 9 just over a week ago now and was really enjoying running for 30 minutes, was actually starting to enjoy the run not just completing it 😊

Then I walked up my steep driveway Sat pm and tore my left calf muscle!!😢, have been resting, using ice and compression and spoke to a physio earlier who said I won't be able to run for 6 weeks 😢😢.

Absolutely gutted, any advice please.

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Oh, so sorry to hear this. ☹️ I have been there, so I know how frustrating this can be. I tore my left calf muscle quite badly last April. Return to running was slow for me, but it does depend on the severity of the tear. I felt like I had been shot in the back of my leg when it happened, followed by a gradual cramping feeling, pain, swelling and bruising. Yuck! I was limping quite badly for best part of a week before things gradually began to improve but it took time and patience! It took me 12 weeks to get back to running (this includes a couple of false starts) and I had to build my distance up slowly. I really hope your tear is not as nasty as mine was BUT what you need to hang on to now, is that you will run again! I have had no further problems since building back up slowly. I am now running up to 12k. I used ice and elevation ( I hate compression!) and found a good physio to help with massage and exercise advice. She worked wonders during the rehab process by making sure the new muscle fibres were massaged and laid down as smoothly as possible. Keep us posted and good luck. Healing vibes winging their way to you.🙂

[tobydog31 Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandraj39, sorry to hear about your previous injury and really good to hear that you did get back to running and are up to 12 k (wow). Have accepted that I will have to take time and hope I won't lose too much of my fitness/motivation.

Thanks again for your support

[misswobble Graduate in reply to tobydog31]

Oh dear, what a flipping nuisance! 😕

I am currently sat sitting with an ice pack on my injured calf and hoping upon hope it rights itself in time for a 10 mile race on 3rd July.

Keep up with the icing as I am sure it's the best thing ☺ I hope you'-ll soon be up and about

[tobydog31 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

You poor thing, the physio has recommended some calf stretches as well to help the recovery, I'm still using ice packs and compression!

Good luck with your injury and hope you're back running in time to get ready for your 10 mile race, that's really impressive 🏅Hope you get one for real on 3rd July 😊

[dddd4 Graduate]

So sorry for you, no advice to offer but just comiserations. Maybe spend some time planning routes for runs when you are back out there so you can do virtual runs on Google maps?

[tobydog31 Graduate in reply to dddd4]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice, really gutted but will listen to the physio and take it easy (I can be a bit impatient and do too much too soon!).

[misswobble Graduate]

I had been doing some physio during the 7 days break from running but my calf broke down again, so I thought I'd leave well alone - apart from ice and elevation- and let it heal. I had been foam rolling as well. I was doing foot lifts, calf raises and heel dips.

[Hidden]

Hello! I've just had nine weeks off due to a calf muscle injury, had physio, iced , stretched etc. Still not perfect but so much better and started week one again last week which was fine. It's frustrating but you need to give it time. Cheered myself up by buying new running clothes!!!

[tobydog31 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hi HilaryC, thanks for your reply and good to hear that you are now back on the road to recovery. Am now walking ok but calf remains tight and sore at times. Can't believe I might have to start the 9 weeks again!! How frustrating for you, one good thing is still feel very motivated and I've done it once so hopefully will get back up to 30 mins again. Buying new clothes is a good shout, thanks 😊