Tight Calf - Health + Injury

Foxy

26/09/2002 at 09:28

I'm in need of a little help/advice from all you fantastic runners out there.....

For the last couple of weeks, when I run, my right calf tightens up and usually takes until the next day to get back to normal. I always warm up and cool down properly. I can't think why it is happening or how to try and put it right.... Any suggestions would be greatfully received.....please!

Xerxes

26/09/2002 at 12:12

I have same problem. Am awaiting replies with interest.

lexi_tate

26/09/2002 at 12:16

hey your lucky my left calf is still tight from sunday ! again v interested on any advice

Velociraptor

26/09/2002 at 12:37

Foxy, sounds as if you need to see a nurse :-)

I'll think about calves while wrenching off a toenail in the next half-hour.

Foxy

26/09/2002 at 12:42

Thanks V, can you recommend any?
I wouldn't go to the dodgy F&B clinic ;-)
Hmmm lovely thought as I take a bite from my sandwich (toe nail wrenching......)

Hobble Goblin

26/09/2002 at 12:43

Just a thought........have you purchased new trainers around the same time that the problem arose. I had the same problem with my calves and it took a few weeks for the calves to get used to the new trainers.

Foxy

26/09/2002 at 12:49

H Goblin,
No, have had trainers for about 6 months...

It did begin as I was passing mile 8.5 of the GSR (that was the furthest I'd ever ran before but I don't suppose that's relevant?)
Even now, it happens on anything past 2 miles.....

Old Bear

26/09/2002 at 12:52

Where abouts on the calf?

Old Bear

26/09/2002 at 12:55

That sounded dumb. What I ment to say was are you getting any specific area that's tightening up or is there any specific pain, or is it just the whole calf from below the knee to just above the ankle?

Foxy

26/09/2002 at 13:01

Not a stupid question - I knew what you meant (nice pic by the way - a lot cuter than the last one!)

It's actually on the out edges most of the way up and down (does that make sense?)

Glenn

26/09/2002 at 13:16

Sounds like you're over pronating. Six months is getting rather old for running shoes - perhaps they're not giving you the support any more?

Oh and Tim, if your pain is in the same place it's your Jazz 6000s that are to blame - not a stable shoe when new, and your pair are clapped out. You're going to have to face your better half...

Foxy

26/09/2002 at 13:18

So what's the diagnosis - new trainers?

Old Bear

26/09/2002 at 13:24

I'm no expert but I have something similar and according to my sports masseur it's achilles tendonitis. It's probably a good idea to go for a massage as a good masseur can pick up any problems and either sort you out or direct you to somebody who can.
I hope the words "Grandmother" and "eggs" aren't coming to mind!
Hope you can get it sorted.

Glenn

26/09/2002 at 13:29

Foxy, I would always buy new trainers anyway, because I'm addicted. But in seriousness six months is quite a long time - don't know how many miles you've been putting in since that long ago.

What brand of shoes are you using? Assuming you're pretty light anything moderately stable would do.

Bear, I would normally assume tendonitis would be straighter up the back of the leg and lower down. Massage would certainly do no harm though.

Foxy

26/09/2002 at 13:37

Bear, I think I'll use it as a good excuse to get a massage anyway - thanks.

Glenn, I've actually had them just over 5 months and have only upped my mileage of late... (Reebok DMX runners -won't be getting them again - not overly impressed!)

I think I'll visit my local running shop and get my running assessed and all that...
It will probably be worth it in the long run. But will that help my calf? we'll see..

Velociraptor

26/09/2002 at 13:46

It sounds like an overuse-type achilles tendon problem, Foxy. Although tendinitis CAN be felt in the midline, it's often to one side or the other depending on where the gastrocnemius or, much more rarely, soleus fibres have become stretched and torn where they are attached to the tendon.

The standard treatment is reducing your mileage by about a third (or to whatever you can do comfortably), ice, anti-inflammatories if it's bad enough to prevent you from walking normally, and a gait assessment to see whether you need a different type of shoe. You're well due a new pair anyway, if only to rotate with the Reeboks (I didn't know Reebok did proper running shoes - doh!) to vary the biomechanical stresses.

Hope you're soon on the mend!

Tim, when your sprats are big enough to demand clothing with labels, you will bitterly regret having denied yourself the luxury of lots of pairs of delightfully expensive running shoes.

Cheers, V-rap.

Old Bear

26/09/2002 at 13:47

Here's quite a good site for all those hypochondriac runners out there
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net
Check it out and if you're anything like me you'll feel all of the symptoms for just about everything!

Glenn

26/09/2002 at 13:54

pponline has also got some exercises to help avoid these problems:
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0031.htm

Foxy

26/09/2002 at 14:00

You are all great! thankyou, I will take all this advise away and hope I get a result.

V-rap, if I was to cut my average 'weekday run' by a third (5m) I might as well stay at home.. but think I might ease off and do some cross-training and see if it helps?

At least now I know that I buy crap running shoes and should buy more often!!! I'm off to the running shop at the weekend!!!

Foxy

26/09/2002 at 14:19

V-rap, just checked out the overuse-type achilles tendon problem on the sportsinjuryclinic (thanks Bear) - and it all makes sense and your diagnosis seems spot on (thank you). It looks like the 'right' trainers are the important factor (and not over-training in the first place -although I don't think I do).
I'm just off to check out your exercise web site Glenn...

Thank you all!