Common reasons for calf pain?

[Kertesz]

Hi there, I did W2R1 yesterday - all ok, except I had calf muscle pain afterwards and it’s still there this morning... just wondering if this is to be expected (I warmed up beforehand and stretched afterwards), or whether it might be related to my shoes or possibly how I’m putting my feet down? Or is it simply I’m using muscles that I’m not used to using?! Many thanks!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Most of the above... and hydration is a common cause, or rather dehydration is.

Being well hydrated (never thirsty) in the right shoes, on a softer surface, running slowly, raising the feet little and landing them flat and under the body will all help, as will a good warmup, stretches after and keeping the legs loose on rest days. Other low impact leg work too, so walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, Pilates etc will help.

[Kertesz in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks so much - the hydration tip is really helpful - think this could definitely be a factor.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

The key to hydration is to never down a glass of water... sip it all day every day. It takes some doing as you won’t feel the thirst trigger for taking a drink, so you have to get used to just doing it... I carry a water bottle at all times apart from when I’m running... and only get though 2 litres a day of it. I do drink tea, coffee etc as normal too, but the intake of them has dropped noticeably.

[Kertesz in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you! I will really try to do this. It was only when I’d finished my run round the park on Saturday, that I got back to my car and realised I’d got neither water or a snack! Drove straight into town and bought a water bottle (🙄)... now I just need to get into the habit of using it!!

[Pianism Graduate]

I suffered from very bad aches for the first couple of weeks. I haven't changed much in my routine and they've largely gone now so it may well be that a lot of it is just using muscles in a way they aren't used to. Hope is passes for you. A bit of gentle walking helped me a lot.

[Kertesz in reply to Pianism]

Thanks for this - I discovered yesterday that my shoes are a size too small, so that’s prob not helping either! I’ll drink lots, walk gently on rest days... and cross my fingers, that like you say, it will all calm down!! X