Looking for opinions rather than medical advice.
Doing VLM on the 23rd and last Sunday (10th) got a calf strain 1 mile into a run. I aborted the run immediately and managed to prevent further damage, so I don't have a weight bearing or limp problem. But -I won't be able to try any kind of run for a week which leaves me just a few days to try a couple of miles or so before the marathon.
Would you risk doing London or not?
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So strap the calf before your test run next week and then decide. Plenty of good videos on YouTube on how to tape up the calf if you don't want to visit a physio. It was the taping that gave me the confidence to run the marathon.
But of course it does depend on how serious your calf strain is.
I've bought some tape and will try it for nothing.
I'm looking for reassurance :-)
I taped it up a couple of days after injuring it and kept it taped all the time. Tape lasts about 5 days before needing replacing. I was concerned as my next race was very hilly and I really didn't think my calf would hold on the steep uphills but it did. Bizarrely I was a little slower on the downhills than I would be normally due to the calf.
Now you've bought the tape, you need to use it. It was much easier to use than I expected. Just watch a couple of YouTube clips.
I've watched about 8 videos and all have different stretch amounts and different application areas. Some go over pain area whilst others go either side.
:-)
Monday - I realised injury was to soleus, sore to touch and sore to stretch.
Tuesday -taped up injury and rested, just a little gentle walking.
Wednesday - short slow run on flat, sore to stretch and slight pain at end of run and after run.
Didn't do much in following days, kept calf taped and a couple of short easy runs on the flat, just a slight discomfort. Took 3 consecutive rest days before hilly marathon
13 days after injury ran very hilly marathon with calf taped, calf was sore during the race but only on the downhills. I made a note that the day after the race my legs were trashed but my calf was OK. I still kept it strapped for another 10 days though.
Have you managed to strap your calf up, does it feel any better?
I'm trying my first jog tomorrow -day 10 post injury. Been doing lots of walking (did 6 yesterday and another 6 the day before) and no problems at all with that. I do have it strapped up, but still not sure about the stuff. Will see how it feels tomorrow when running.
HA77 - you did really well to recover and run Manchester at your planned pace.
I think the trouble with a calf injury it preys on your mind that it could easily go again, I find the tape gives me a bit of confidence not to worry about it.
All you can do is take each mile at a time, wipe from your mind the last couple of weeks and enjoy the occasion of the race.
SSLHP - Good luck with the run today. Sounds like you know what you're doing. I think your approach is sensible and will give you the best possible chance of running a good race on Sunday.
Did a 3 mile test run 2 days before and all was OK so decided to run the marathon.
The good news is that the calf was absolutely fine throughout. The bad news is that my 'head went' at mile 19 and couldn't recover from alternating between running and walking. Finished 25 mins slower than my PB (not that I was attempting to get close to it) But at least I was on the start and finish line.
Thanks for your help and reassurance.
Can't help re the 'head went', unfortunately that happens a lot in marathons
think i've done something similar 3 weeks out from running the stockholm marathon.
Can i please ask what tape you guys would recommend? i've never used it before?
Thanks