REALLY tight calves - Page 2 - Health + Injury

SLCW

08/02/2003 at 20:01

We had a lady join our club who was a total beginner. I ran with her a few weeks, doing 1 min run 1 walk, then 2 run 1 walk, etc building up each week. Then all of a sudden she could not run at all without calf pain, she described it as having two bricks stuck to her calves.

She then went for sports massage - I warn you it is painfull, and the next day she was full of bruises, but it was worth it, after a few sessions she is now running pain free. (wrong shoes were also her problem)

The trouble is that if you don't get rid of the knots immediately, they just get worse each time you run until eventually you will do some damage just like Wee Piglet.

Plodding Hippo

08/02/2003 at 20:03

Dont really want to start a separate thread on this, but, for my last few runs ive had a slight ache in my left achilles
Anyone recommend any good stretches please

SS - The Last Unicorn

08/02/2003 at 21:30

Hi Hippo
try - these

http://www.califmall.com/footherapy.html

Plodding Hippo

08/02/2003 at 22:52

Ta SS

jenks

10/02/2003 at 11:39

I'm glad you spoke up HH, I was goind to post on this very subject. I went for a 13 mile long run on Saturday and ever since I've had a dull ache in my left achiles. Cycling 15 miles yesterday to accompany my partner on her long run probably didn't help either. Not sure what do regarding sub 4.30 FLM training now, speed work tonight might make it worse.

Frisky Piskie

10/02/2003 at 17:04

Be careful Jenks - I had a slight pain in my achilles last September and (for once) was sensible about my training (i.e. lots of cycling and walking) but it still took me till the end of November before I could start "running properly" again.

I have been running alternate days (with weights sessions and cycling in between) for two months now and think I am finally getting somewhere. Plenty of ice on the achilles (three times a day if you can) and gentle cross-frictional massage on the taut tendon with some anti-inflammatory cream a couple times a day.

Good luck and take care.

SS - The Last Unicorn

10/02/2003 at 19:18

After the inflammation wore down - I found heat better for the Achilles problems I had - I guess because there's such poor blood supply in tendons and ligaments that it helped the blood get in and do it's stuff ?

Also there's the old heel raise trick - sticking thin heel wedges under your heel(but Jenks be warned - that made my shins worse!!)

We'd love you to add a comment! Please login or take half a minute to register as a free member