My Forum

Hasher,
Identical problem.

I stopped for 2 weeks and then after 20minutes in first session back the stabbing pain came back. That is when I decided to go to the Doctor.

My Doctor here in France. He is a Sports Doctor too. He told me that I increased my training rapidly or increased speed work. Turns out I was doing speed work on the track.  

Result ..."<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">strengthening and enlarging of muscles behind the knee trapping the artery and restricting blood flow to the calf - resulting in sharp pain every step"...

 Normally occurs on one leg only. The weeker one. Common problem.

He told me NO running for 5-6 weeks. Then start with 2-3 half hour sessions only. Then GRADUALLY work further and harder. The problem was I pushed it too hard too soon and my body could not adjust in time.

I may do some very gental cycling (with no speed or hard gears). He highly recommends swimming.

 Well, 2 weeks to go and I am feeling great. Loving the swimming. The Cardo is just awesome training. I am pretty sure my breathing and stamina is going to be at a new level when I get back to running. 

I may consider doing triathlons now.

Jim, I have the same problem and my Doctor here in France, a sports Doctor explained exactly as you have. Increased trainging, especially on track, muscle expands etc. Prescribed rest (no running for 5 weeks) and swimming pool too. I do some very light cycling too and feel much better. Another 2 weeks to go and I may start with 2-3 half hour runs only then gradually pick it up after that...

My cycling helped me with leg sped and strength. It made an improvement on my running. BUT, I nowswim as much as possible and the difference is enourmouse. I find my core muscles and breathing are much more comfortable at a fast pace. In 6 months I took 20minutes of my Half Marathon time and 15 minutes of 10km. I am not a triathlete. I just read quite often how good swimming can be for overall strength and breathing. That last 5km when it hurts... Go swimming!

Somehow, I eat much more when in training. When injured I tend to drink too much coffee and it is perhaps that that makes me eat less. Funny because when I am in good form I can't stomach the thought of drinking coffee. I just naturally want something fresh.

I have a pain in my left calf when I run.

Only when foot makes contact with ground.
After half an hour I have to stop.

I rested for 3 weeks and tried again with the same pain re-occuring. I have missed out on a few races and have taken to swimming to keep my form.

What could it be? Sometimes it is a sharp pain like something is torn. Sometimes my calf feels like one big cramp. It is just about high season where I live for racing. 3 weeks is very long to be out  

Any ideas what it could be and how to treat it?