Ouch!!!!

[JA13]

Just come limping back from W6R2 😡 Was half way through the second lot of 10 minutes and feeling good when I felt a slight tightness in my left calf. Thought it would run off but then a sharp pull and it felt like someone had my calf in a hot vice!!! Stopped and stretched to no avail and had to walk back. Felt loads better by the end but when I tried to run again it felt really painful and tightened up again 😩 Looks like I will have to make do with daily hour long brisk dog walks and start week 6 again on Monday. Don't want to rush it and cause real damage. Does that sound like the right thing to do?

[neuropsycsci Graduate]

Sounds like a bad cramp to me! Very unpleasant! Cramp occurs when the muscle is in spasm, so I would recommend vigorous massage of your calf and heat treatment (3 x a day for up to 30 mins) to help soothe the muscle. I doubt you will damage the muscle by trying again in a day or two - if it was cramp.

Make sure you're stretching and warming up well to avoid more cramps in future - at least complete a vigorous walk for 5 mins before running. Drink plenty in the hours leading up to your run.

Start off gently next time you run and see how it goes. If the problem persists, see your doctor!

[JA13 in reply to neuropsycsci]

Thank you. The stretching and water could be the key. 😀

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

I suffered a torn calf muscle recently and the experience was very much as you describe - definitely more than a cramp. I rested for a week until it no longer hurt to walk then went out for a gentle run and it pinged again only worse.

Having googled it, it seems that a not too serious tear needs about a 3 week lay off before returning to build up gradually.

Obviously I don't know whether this is what you have done but I am urging patience and caution. Hope it mends soon

[JA13 in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thank you. As it did ease off with walking am hoping it's not torn. Will be very careful not to run too soon though. 😩

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Ouch...! Really rest it... and maybe less than brisk dog walks.. as Ullyrunner says, best not to cause real damage...

[Lee337 Graduate]

Oh my, I'm really sorry to hear that JA13 .

Personally, I would get my local doctor to check it out and let me know if I would be ok to run with it again after a few days rest. I do hope you haven't done any serious damage and you can continue with the plan because you were doing so well. What a shame.

All the best with it, and please let us know how you get on.

[JA13 in reply to Lee337]

Thank you Lee. Very envious if your run today. Well done. Should be doing my W6.R3 tomorrow but my calf is still painful and tight even just walking. Looks like more than just cramp. Will give it a go on a Monday if it feels better. After plenty of water and stretches this time!! Really disappointed as was loving the programme and gaining a lot of confidence. Still determined though 😀🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[Lee337 Graduate in reply to JA13]

That really is a shame. Please don't go running if it's not feeling right. I would seriously advise you to get it checked out first before you end up doing any long term damage. I hope it's nothing too bad to worry about and you get back on the plan asap. We're all here waiting for you...

(Oh, and I start my week 7 on Saturday btw).

[JA13 in reply to Lee337]

Looks like I may have a slight tear in my calf muscle. Seems ok til I do a brisk walk or jog a few steps and then it tightens up. Decided not to stress but take all this week off with the hope I can restart on Monday. How is week 7 going?

[Lee337 Graduate in reply to JA13]

I'm glad you've now got your problem diagnosed and have a good plan of action when it has sufficiently healed. You'll soon get back into the swing of it I'm sure.

Yeah, I've not long come back from my W7R2 and it went well I guess. I can do the 25 minutes non-stop but I wouldn't say it's a doddle as whenever I get to any sort of incline my mind seems to scream, "Oh my God, what's that? A mountain? I ain't used to rock climbing!!" When in reality, it's only a small incline! But I plod on...and on...even when my legs are screaming at me to stop. I just ignore them and carry on regardless and I will continue to do so until my legs actually give way and my brain no longer controls them! lol

[JA13 in reply to Lee337]

Well done. Sounds like you're doing great. 👍