Keep pulling calf muscles - good warmup?

[Lorcan]

I need a good warmup routine as I've pulled my left calf muscle a couple of times which puts me out of running for 4-5 days. The "brisk walking" isn't enough. Any tips?

[shelleymcb Graduate]

lunges forward really stretching the back of the leg & standing on a step on tiptoes, facing forward & dropping your legs so that the calf muscle is stretched again. no bouncing though! I alternate this with each leg & also stretch up on tiptoes.

andystev? did put some stretches on here on another post. think the post was about shin splints?

& compression socks have been recommended, although I havent tried them personally.

good luck Lorcan.

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Do you do stretches after running as well? That way they won't be tight before the next run.

[Lorcan]

I do stretch my calves by standing on a step usually but since running in the park I tend to forget - I'll have to find a step there I can use. Thanks for the replies

[TJFlute]

There's good stretches on Greg_M blog about 'shin splints, can we fix them' with pictures too!

Personally, I do a brisk walk for 8 minutes, then stretch and then another brisk walk again for another two to five before breaking into a jog. I also stretch after the run..lots of different stretches for at least 10 minutes. It all adds time but I think it's essential for my muscles and joints, and it seems to have worked so far over a year on.