Hi newbie here, I’m struggling with calf muscles even after 50 seconds they kill, then on the next 60 second run I can’t do it ! Help
Calf pain : Hi newbie here, I’m struggling with... - Couch to 5K
Calf pain
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Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
and includes advice on pacing, minimising impact, stretching after every run and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.
Enjoy your journey.
Some gentle stretching may help before you head out. Especially calf stretches. An easy way to do them is at the edge of a stair with the front of your feet on the stair and your heels dropping down. Be sure to hold something like a rail or wall. When I first began C25, stretches were essential to (most) pain prevention.🙂 Don’t give up, just ease into it and if you are going hard then slow down too. Another mistake I made early on.
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Warm up really well... check out the link to the post for Newbies too...There are also some great exercises for those aching calves, on the Strength and Flex Forum...
healthunlocked.com/strength.......
Take it slow and steady.... try to land lightly and try to relax...make sure you do the post run stretches too
Mine were the same; try and work through it and try and find something to keep your mind off thinking about them. I’m on week 7 now and I still get pain/ discomfort but it’s nowhere near as bad as the first few weeks. You can do this... 😀
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Your body is struggling to adapt to this new routine.
Do read the guides posted.
Do make sure you're hydrating well, your muscles really need fluids to operate well.
Do stretch.
Do massage your own calves, this helps a lot.
Don't run if the pain is bad, have an extra rest day if needed. Only you know how big a change this is for your body, taking time now to adjust slowly will help you in the long run. 👍🏻😊
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I had some horrendous calf pain when I started (and tbh am still having some issues now) but when I was starting it was about going too fast. If you slow right down (Japanese slow running slow) then the pain should be less and take longer to get to you.
Keep going, your muscles are trying to get used to you doing something different with them!
Thank you so much for the replies
It’s getting better ! Ive just been to the gym and completed the running bits on my programme , normally I can’t do it! Yayyyyyy