Painful calves, could run 😢

[Kimikins]

Calves so painful, it came on yesterday . Run on Friday, 5k no concerns, easy jog nothing out of ordinary.

Thought I would try this morning, it was struggle getting past 5 minute warm up and then found that I could not jog, legs would not allow, so painful, there both so tight. Thought I would see if I could walk them loose, hmm I didn't think it was working so walked home. Both feel quite tender. I actually haven't ached after a run for months so can't understand what I have done, any ideas about what I've done and how to manage it?

I'm worried about not running as don't want to lose my strength and motivation 😪 and, don't want to lose the feel good feeling. Help!!?

[Kimikins Graduate]

Couldn't run, not could!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Do you 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 is 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.

Have you tried massage, foam roller or compression sleeves/socks. These work for some people.

[Kimikins Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you for the advise 😀

[Instructor57 Graduate]

You may find this useful

youtu.be/sJtlwdHtwPo(Not working as expected?)

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

Lots of water, stretching to the point of JUST "ouch" the holding for a slow count of 30/40 and a yoga foam roller have worked miracles on my horrible calves. Up until a couple of weeks ago every run was varying degrees of grim, but I seem to have turned a corner now I am conslidating and they ache rather than really burn when I run now!