Trouble with calves!

[Runningforcheese]

Hi all, I’m on week 3 but can’t finish it. 2nd week I had trouble with left calves getting tight and sore. Now on week 3 it has happened to right calf. (Left calf seems ok now. I last ran fri and had to stop in last 3 min run. Calf hurts abs feels like it will ‘snap’ I decided not to run over weekend except I had a quick jog in garden to test and calf went tight again. I’m back limping and feeling really fed up. Should I not run at all for a week? If I do that I’ll prob have to start from scratch again as my fitness will revert! Any advice is gratefully received, I don’t want to give up. I am stretching on my bottom step 3 times a day x

[Tasha99 Graduate]

I recommend ibuprofen an hour before runs

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Do not run... pain is not to be ignored.... massage really well and it may be worth a visit to a sports physio... I had a minor calf tear... which I did not realise I had... did everything by the book, rested and then exercised.. but it recurred, twice more and eventually I saw Sports Physio...... and in the end I was not running for quite a long time.

So... my advice is get it checked out... it will be worth it...

We advise never to run through pain and not to mask the symptoms with painkillers...

You will get back to it... honestly

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[AliK0871 Graduate]

I’ve had issues with tight calves from week 3. I’ve been drinking more, invested in foam roller and doing a lot more stretching at the end of my run. They are still tight at times but improving I’m just about to start wk6

[Dannoodles]

I have just done week3 run 2 wearing a

new pair of running shoes and they made such a difference. In week2 my calves were hurting but not today. I got a gait analysis done where they record you on a treadmill and match you up with running shoes to support your running style. Also I run really really slowly - not much quicker than walking pace. I hope you get sorted - don’t give up👍🏻

[Hidden]

Bless you! That is really frustrating. I had a lot of trouble with my calf - before I started this programme- it was an old injury from years back that I aggravated by running really fast uphill on the treadmill. I did have to stop running for a while & I had acupuncture & sports massage & did the hot & cold thing on it. Then started back gradually. I am in no way qualified like some of the guys & gals in this forum but my advice would be to give running a miss for a week - you can still exercise - I did - I used the static bike & cross trainer in the gym. Swimming is good too i was told. It's frustrating I know but think short-term rest for long- term goals. If you go back too soon & make it worse you could be laid up for weeks. Good luck.

[Allbarron Graduate]

Invest in s foam roller and use it after every run along with your step stretches. I was advised this by a PT and despite looking awkward I did find it helped. Running always affects my calves first but good warm downs and taking it steady have paid off in the past. Give it a go you've nothing to loose.