New runner calves hurt after running

[IGhaUttEles]

Hi,

I have started the couch to 5k, in week 3.

Just after a little advice...

After running for short periods (90 secs or 3 mins) I feel ok, but it hurts to walk in my calves, doesn't hurt when I run. Could this be due to my footwear or is it simply not warming up properly?

Thanks

[Sofabunny]

My calves killed me when I started..cramps..burning sensations..all sorts.. I used to slow down ..and then slow down again but kept moving..at one stage I was doing a strange extra slow motion marching type movement ..thank goodness I have a treadmill in garage !! I now do some calf stretches too...It has resolved now..

Some people swear by those muscle roller thingies..

[Runningnut in reply to Sofabunny]

This is what happened to me I could not walk or run when I started running again🏃🏻‍♂️ but have got use to it, probably the tendons and ligaments getting use to the strain and load you put on them-I would recommend a 5 minutes walk and warm up then stretch after once the muscles are warm as this is always recommended (stretching warm muscles and not cold), people have mentioned dynamic warms up stretches but haven’t tried this yet myself, so can’t recommend it either.

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Could be footwear. Theoretically could be lack of warmup but if you’re doing the BRISK five minute walk before running that’s less likely, though not impossible. Could also be the classic beginner mistake of going a bit too fast. BUT it could also be just your legs reacting to a new and unfamiliar form of exercise, in which case just don’t go to fast, take a second rest day when necessary and it will fix itself as your body adjusts.

With me it was shoes, but then my old shoes were REALLY bad! £20 supermarket trainers that no longer fitted me properly! Gait analysis and proper runners with lots of cushioning sorted it immediately. But in your case the cause may be different so maybe look at the less expensive solutions first!

[Taffinator Graduate]

I suffered with the same, doing more stenches beforehand now and also bought a pair of skins calf skins, they seem to work for me, no pain at the mo.

Expensive at £30 but glad I got them.

[Runningnut in reply to Taffinator]

I do a stench before I leave a piece of gym equipment for an unlikely victim to wallow in 😂

[jomc25 Graduate in reply to Runningnut]

Thank you Runningnut - that made me laugh out loud!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Warm up, cool down, stretching after every run...........all covered in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Willieverbearunner]

I had the same problem to begin with but it went after the first 2-3 weeks. I think it was just my body reacting to an exercise it had never done!

[Runningnut in reply to Willieverbearunner]

It must be like zero gravity-your body just gets use to it after a while

[Corsica1958]

I’m not sure about that but Magnesium rubbed into the calf muscle does help with the cramps! Try either a cream or oil. I think you should be able to get it at Boots or if not, go online. Good luck!