Dangnabbit, frassennassen andvariousothernonswearyswearwords...

[dottiemay]

Haven't run since last Monday when I had the problem with my calf. I've tried to take care of it, done a bit of walking and a couple of cross-trainer shorts just to keep things moving but decided to try a gentle run this morning to test it out.

I did a longer warm-up walk and had already made up my mind that even if things felt okay, I would stop at 1k, walk and then perhaps try another short run to ease myself back. Set off at what seemed a nice gentle pace and everything was fine. I concentrated on my landings trying to make sure I wasn't coming down too heavily and using my core strength (such as it is!) to hold my form. Checked the Garmin. 0.99k. Great, not even a twinge. Then within a couple of strides....wallop, calf seized up liked somebody had grabbed it!

Am I allowed to swear - cos I certainly did at that moment! Not because it hurt - it isn't exactly painful just very very stiff, but out of sheer frustration! Anyhooo, had to walk back and now have it strapped up with a cold bandage. I guess realistically, that's me out of action for at least another week, probably longer and I'm soooooo annoyed! If I'd be doing anything silly and pushing myself too hard I could accept it a bit better but to come out of the blue like that... just goes to show how careful we have to be not to get carried away!

Oh well, I'll have to get my running thrills from all of you lot for the time being - keep those blogs coming!

[SBG356 Graduate]

Oh Dottie thats not good; I can feel your frustration!! Especially as you said you were not going mad and pushing it beyond what you should! Grrrrr!! Well, looks like its back to the couch reading the blogs but for once that is the best place to be

I am dreading this happening to me one day So far so good but your experience shows that we cant be complacent and think it wont ever happen.....

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Sue

[gdeann Graduate]

Dottie, how horrible for you! Do you think it could be something missing from your diet? Are you well hydrated before a run? I really have no advice to offer, just hoping you can find the cause. As Sue wrote, it has to be even that much more frustrating when you were playing by the rules. Wishing you a quick recovery! Gayle

[BettyJane Graduate]

Hope you mend soon. Just to add to your frustration the Garmin site is down, so you can't even see what everyone else is doing.

[dottiemay Graduate]

Thanks everyone. Maybe I should have waited a little longer before going out again - I'll have to now!! But I really wouldn't have risked it if I thought there was any danger of making things worse. It's just so frustrating when I felt things were really coming together and I could actually do this!

I hadn't thought about the diet but it might be worth eating a banana before I go out (when I go out..!) in future. I always have my cornflakes and orange juice but maybe it's potassium I'm lacking.

Hey ho....

The Garmin site seems to be okay now Betty - hopefully it was just a temporary drop-out.

[greenlegs Graduate]

So sorry to hear that, Dottie. Just not fair.

Hope it gets better soon.

[Esprit Graduate]

How frustrating Dottie, I totally sympathise. My left calf muscle put me out of action for a month at the start of the programme and it has been weak ever since. I wear a neoprene calf support every time I go out running now and it seems to help. I tweaked my calf muscle again recently just running for a train so I'm being extra careful. I find Deep Heat helps too. I'm going to try to drink more water as I know I don't drink enough and will have a banana this afternoon before I head out. Take care and rest your leg, hopefully you'll be back on the road again soon.