Calf cramping on return after a long break.

[bloodofareptile]

I did the programme to week 7 and then became fairly seriously ill. I did basically nothing for six months and am now well enough to start again. I've lost basically all of my fitness and have actually done up a pre-C25k programme to even get me through week one.

I'm nearing the point where I would be doing week one, but I'm getting terrible calf cramps while running. Cardiovascularly, I'm ready, but legs can't cope.

I've tried googling this, but I just get a bunch of stuff about running in the wrong conditions, but I'm doing everything exactly as I used to with no pain.

Is this just my muscles getting used to it again? I'm stretching a lot hoping to loosen everything (but only when warm!).

[notbad Graduate]

As you've been seriously ill I'm cautious about giving advice, is it perhaps related to your illness? Sometimes cramping can be caused by potassium deficiency, eating foods rich in that may be the answer.

As well as stretching I find gentle massage helps. Increasing distance & speed can aggravate it for me, so make sure you're not pushing too hard too fast. Not sure what else to advise as you seem to be doing all the right things, hope you get it sorted soon.

[bloodofareptile Graduate in reply to notbad]

Thanks for having a go!

I'm cleared to run again so I don't think it's anything medical (and had nothing to do with my legs).

I eat bananas like they are going out of style.

I might start the massage thing. I added in a couple extra walks with stretching and my last run went easier, so I wonder if it is just a lot of tightness.

If I go any slower, I'm going to feel like I'm going backwards. It's been three weeks and I'm going to try W1R1 of the programme for the first time today...

[notbad Graduate in reply to bloodofareptile]

If the stretching helped then it sounds like you've found your solution, might be just a case of being more diligent with that. I do sympathise, I'm pretty much the same but have found stretching/gentle massage helps hugely. Best of luck for the programme, you'll soon be back on track.