So close and yet so far

[Peppilou]

So it’s my 3rd attempt at C25K, first attempt failed due to knee pain, second attempt failed due to falling over, a trip to A&E and a sprained ankle! So today went out on Wk9 run 2 and my calf muscle felt tight then felt a little pop in it tried to keep running, then a bigger pop and then I couldn’t bear any weight on it. Has anyone had this happen? How long will it take to recover, just worrying about how far back it will set me ☹️😢😞

[Ruby69 Graduate]

Oh no!!! Nothing like that has ever happened to me so unable to advise but hope you recover v soon. I’m sure someone who knows more will be along to help

[Peppilou Graduate in reply to Ruby69]

Thank you 😊

[girlsjustwannarun Graduate]

Sounds like a calf strain (but i’m no doctor!!) I would try and do other activities like swimming for a few weeks and see how it feels, definitely don’t push through the pain as you’ll cause yourself more injury! I feel your frustration especially as you’re so close to the end 😰 I hope it heals up soon 🤞🏼

[Peppilou Graduate in reply to girlsjustwannarun]

Thank you 😊

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Oh sympathy. 😘😘

Yes, I have had a calf strain- although it didn’t “pop” as you describe. I would do rest, ice, elevation & definitely not run until it’s better. See a dr or sports physio if you need to.

As for setting you back, I would encourage you to see it as a glitch & a pause,(however frustrating) - you are a runner & you will run again.

I have had SO many interruptions to my running - lots of big delays from pneumonia & chest infections with a sprinkling of injuries (mostly not running related). I have kept on returning to running when I was better - & finally have moved on from being in a “repeat C25K” loop. I can now run for an hour & am so very glad that I persisted with repeating C25K & consolidation over a long time until I was able to move on. Everyone has a different journey, don’t be robbed of your running because other people seem to have fewer glitches.

Heal well & run again! 😄

[Peppilou Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you 😊

[Maurs12 Graduate]

Oh no! That happened to me about a year ago - I was only walking at the time and it felt like I’d been hit by a rubber bullet ( not that I really know how that feels!) before I felt something like an elastic band recoiling in my calf. It was a calf muscle strain/tear- a few small tears in different areas. I was in the town centre so I got an Uber to A&E and a lift home later. I got checked out and was on crutches for a fortnight - it was about 5 weeks before I was walking normally. It was tough. The good news is that I made a full recovery with no lasting issues. I’m hoping you have a less extreme version of this injury- I couldn’t put my heel on the floor properly for a long time so if you can put your heel down, you’re in better shape than I was.

[Catho78 Graduate]

Hi, sorry to hear your injured, I feel your pain. I had a similar experience at week 5. Pop in my calf like being shot then had to hobble home. I rested it for a few days, didn’t run for a week then felt ok. Tried again, run went well, 2 days later my calf injury was back and took a while to heal. Limped for 2 weeks then spoke to a physio who gave me some gentle stretches to do. Getting better, 4.5wks now. Physio said will take 6-8 weeks before can try to run again but can cycle or swim in mean time. Still walking but gave raised heel wedges in shoes to ease the injury. I feel your frustration, but don’t rush back to running as means injury takes longer to heal as I’ve found out. Well done for making it to week 9, at least you know you got this, just needs a brief rest first. My other half kept saying you want to be a runner, that’s for life not just 12 weeks, a break in training now is nothing in your future running journey. Don’t tell him but I think he’s right lol. Take it easy x

[Peppilou Graduate in reply to Catho78]

Thank you, feels much better today, but definitely won’t try running again till it’s gone completely. X