Does anyone have any advice?
Last week while I was running I got bad cramp in my right calf. It felt like my calf muscle had seized into a fist and every stride became increasingly painful. I took the week off and did a few sessions on the elliptical trainer in the gym. Over the week the pain went from being very sore to only being 'just noticeable'. I thought it would be okay to run tonight. Big mistake! Felt fine for the first 2 miles and then suddenly seized up again. I took a lot of time to warm up and stretch and drank water all day. Back to square 1! I have iced my calf and will probably take 2 weeks off and just cross-train. I have just got a charity place in the GNR and desperate to train!
Russell
0 ·
Comments
I had a similar thing last year and I ignored the pain for a while until during a run I felt as if I had been shot in the calf. I had actually ended up tearing my calf muscle. I then had to spend almost 9 weeks without running. Taking time off is the best thing to do. I would also pay a visit to a physio if it doesn't ease off. With regualr cross-training you should keep your fitness levels up.
Rebecca
Thanks for your advice. Isn't it the most frustrating feeling in the world? You want to run but can't! I am going to try and find a physio. Can't see any listed in Merseyside area in RW. May have to google it! Going to rest for a few weeks and cross train like mad. Have to get rid of the limp first as the gym might not be too impressed if I crawl through the doors.
Russell
Thanks for your advice. I will definately be resting-up for the next fortnight. Hopefully cross-training will keep me fit. I will try and find some sort of treatment. Wow you have run the GNR 11 times! Amazing. Really looking forward to participating in the run. If I am lucky enough to get a place in the FLM it will be a good stepping stone.
Typing this sitting in the garden under a parasol. Ah the wonders of Wifi...
Russell
Feel relieved now I know it will heal quickly.
Spent an hour and a half in the gym cross-training.
glad its nothing too serious. i've never heard of those suppliments but they're worth a try, if thats what the therapist has recommended, cant hurt.
I had an absoluley awfull run yesterday, had to stop after only 4 miles on a 6 mile lap i usually do really easily. so easily in fact i was about to up it to 7 or 8 miles. I dont know what went wrong, but it was very hot, and i was trying out a new high carb drink which was very thick and sweet and made me feel a bit sick. I was just drinkning lucozade but this other drink came hightly recommended, think i'll give it another go but water it down a bit. going to have a couple of days off and run again on Friday, hopefully that will give me time to get over yesterday as I felt really disheartened.
My performance is inconsistent to say the least. I never know if I am going to lead the group I run with or trail behind struggling to keep up. I presume it depends on how hard I train when I am not running with the group and how much I have left in the tank. When I am struggling to keep up it is the worst feeling in the world! I try to listen to my body and add additional rest days after poor performances. That normally fixes things physically. But mentally a 'bad day' really shatters my belief in my ability to run.
I think we train the mind just as much as the body when we run.
Russell
still, gotta keep smiling, onwards and upwards as they say:-)
Thanks for your advice. I think I will keep taking the Glucosamine & Chondroitin just in case it has any effect.
I went back to running today after 2 weeks of cross-training. Okay 1 week and 6 days off. I couldn't wait another day to run. I did an easy 5K in 33 minutes and could only feel my calf muscle twinge very slightly. I am not going to push it for a few weeks. This is the first week of a 15 week training plan for a half marathon (GNR) and the next few 'long runs' are far shorter than my normal 10k run. I am going to alternate with cross training and take at least 2 days off a week until I am sure I've fully recovered.
Russell