Tight calves

[Han99m]

Hi I have just completed week 5 run 2 and I am struggling with tight calves whilst running. This is an issue I had before starting the programme if I walked more than a few minutes my calves would tighten and hurt for day or two after. Admittedly this has improved as they loosen up and are fine during the walking intervals now compared to being tight the whole 30 mins in week one, however week 5 run 3 is coming and I’m not sure I will be able to do 20 minutes due to the tightness, is there anything I can do to help with this? I really want to prove to myself I can go for 20 minutes! I’m doing dynamic stretches before and static after. Not sure what else to do to help. Thanks!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Firstly, well done you!

As the runs get longer we do need to be watching out for our running body a tad more.. upping some of the exercise on some rest days can be really useful..

Loads of ideas for those tight calf muscles on the Strength and Flex Forum...including these

healthunlocked.com/strength.......

[Moosefacedgoose Graduate]

hey I’m also experiencing this - I’m adding some calf raises every day - hopefully that will pay off soon

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Moosefacedgoose]

Try the exercises in the link... has your bruising gone?

[backintime Graduate]

Mine get tight in the first few minutes, but I know I can run it off and they get better, they just protest at the start of a run.

I do calf raises while I brush my teeth though and sometimes when washing up or in a remote meeting when they can't see me

Sometimes I walk around the house on tip toes (I'm always barefoot) and sometimes I do this when walking the dogs too

[Han99m Graduate]

Thank you! Looks like I will be doing lots of calf raises whilst doing other random things. Sounds like I just need to strengthen them and it’ll get better which is a relief!! Thanks all!