Pain in calf during run.

[Snowwhitebee]

Week 2 run 1. On my 4th 90 second run I had to pull up and stop as I got a sharp pain in my left calf. I stretched it out and gave my calf a bit of a massage and managed to finish the run, much slower, with some pain in my calf. Walked to cool down. Now I have pain in my calf and having to limp. Not sure if I have cramp or have pulled a muscle, anyone else experienced this and got any advice?

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Unfortunately this sounds like a calf strain to me (but you might want a doctor to confirm that). I pulled a muscle in my calf just after graduating C25K, and it took a while to heal - during which you should not run, as it can tear it further. Ice it (frozen peas with tea towel wrapped around them work a treat), a few times a day, and definitely rest it and see a GP (if it is a calf strain they will just tell you to ice it and no running!) It is very unfortunate it happened to you so early in your training, but it will heal and you will run again! I have had no problems since, and this happened to me over 18 months ago. Once I was recovered and started running again, I started to do heel raises morning and night whilst brushing my teeth - this really works to strengthen your calf muscles. Strong muscles are less likely to tear.

If it IS cramp, it should wear off soon!

[Snowwhitebee in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you. The more the day has gone on the more I think it is a calf strain. I am icing it and resting. I will wait until the pain has give before trying again. Thanks for the tips on strengthening I will give them a go when my calf is up to it.