Calf pain in week 5 - any tips?

[Hannah_Matilda]

Hey everyone ☺ I have been absolutely loving the programme so far and each step has felt like a challenge but totally doable which is great! I completed Week 5 run 2 today and found it quite challenging but mostly because I got quite a lot of pain in my calves, both front and back. I stretched when I got home and they are fine now but I am aware that Week 5 run 3 is the first continuous run with no breaks and I'm feeling a bit nervous about it off the back of my run today. Any advice for managing calf pain while running? Thanks so much 😁

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help. You could try a foam roller too.

As for W5 this should put it into perspective for you healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[Hannah_Matilda Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you!

[Mattlad91]

I did mine yesterday I struggled a bit while doing it and then it went and then when got back home it came back and then had a bath and had been there ever since and ankle bit sore this morning when got up too.. What stretchers etc do u do and do u do any before and do u do any on rest days

[Hannah_Matilda Graduate in reply to Mattlad91]

Well done for doing it! I am doing mine today. I am doing rest days and have just been following the video on the app for stretching. Might try doing stretches before though, thanks ☺

[SwimGrl]

Compression socks (knee length) really helped me! Can get them for about £3 on Start Fitness site.

[Hannah_Matilda Graduate in reply to SwimGrl]

That's a good idea, thank you!

[Bupkiss100 Graduate]

Get yourself a foam roller .... they’re great (if a little bit hurty when you use them) but gives your aching muscles a right good massage!

[Hannah_Matilda Graduate in reply to Bupkiss100]

Yes I have heard good things about these, though I have also heard they hurt! I think my partner has one somewhere so might have to root it out and give it a go, thank you ☺

[Hannah_Matilda Graduate]

I did it! I did some stretches from a specific calf warm up video I found on YouTube before hand and that seemed to make a lot of difference. Chuffed to have Week 5, Run 3 under my belt - onwards and upwards now! 🏃‍♀️