A little advice please

[Greenfingers21]

I’ve just completed Wk7R1 and although it was fantastic I thought at one stage I’d have to cut it short( I would have been very upset about this). Anyway the reason being was my right calf started to feel a bit dodgy, I’m unable to work out wether it was cramp or muscular. I went home and spent a lot of time stretching it out. Also had my roller on it.

I just wondered if there was anymore advice anyone can give me as it’s still feels dodgy.

Thankyou in advance

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Maybe..take a day extra rest...we can get minor tears or just a muscle strain. Some calf exercise may help..but maybe take it gently. When you do head out..any pain? Then stop.

[Greenfingers21 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I’m going to take your advice and give myself 2 days rest instead of 1 day and see if that helps.Thanks 👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Do you normally stretch after every run?

Stretching immediately after every run, nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/h... while muscles are still warm and supple, pulls out contractions, avoiding carrying tensions into the next run and also improves recovery by improving blood flow, as recommended in the guide to the plan.

Many people do not hold their stretches for long enough or put enough effort in. Hold post run stretches for 30 seconds and make sure the pull is strong enough to be on the verge of discomfort.

How was your hydration? As a runner you need to drink a minimum of 2.5 -3 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide.

What are your shoes like?

You might try a foam roller or compression socks if it persists.

Treat it like an injury and follow the PRICE principles as linked to in the guide.

[Greenfingers21 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I stretch after every run but the difference is today I timed each of my stretches and there is no way I’ve been holding them long enough previously. Thanks

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate]

I don't know if this is similar to you, but maybe will be helpful. Last year I pulled my calf muscle, possibly from doing over enthusiastic yoga 🙄. I tried to carry exercising but a bit more gently and it just kept niggling. Eventually I decided to rest it completely, I was completely fine and back to normal activities about a week later.

I hope yours feels better soon.

If it was me, I'd take a short break if needs be to let it resolve. I've taken a few extra rest days a couple of times due to pains and niggles in C25K and I think it's probably helped me that back to enjoying my runs a bit quicker. It's not a massive set back in the long run.

Good to hear you were enjoying your run. It's great to be doing continuous running now isn't it?!😊

[Greenfingers21 Graduate in reply to DylanTheRabbit]

That is really good to know thankyou, this feels like something that’s niggling too and I think I should rest it, I really don’t want to be set back too much so a bit of a rest now will be better in the long run.Oh yes I think I definitely prefer the continuous running to the intervals. I definitely didn’t think I’d be saying that a few weeks ago.

Won’t be long and here comes graduation for us 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Badrun Graduate]

I’ve had calve problems throughout and posters were lovely enough to suggest linger stretches, calf raises on non run days snd a massage stick and salt baths. They are certainly improving. At week 7 I started leaving two days between runs. Don’t know if any of that will help ?

[Greenfingers21 Graduate in reply to Badrun]

Thank you, badrun... I’m certainly going to try them. I’ve left 2 days between and see how I go 👍