Tight calf while running...just stretch?

This recently happened to me. While I am no expert I think in my situation it had a lot to do with running a half marathon with poor training. My body wasnt ready for the mileage and my calves suffered for a week or two. Some things I have noticed though too is I might be running in the wrong shoe possibly. So that could be something you could look into...

 Overall it could be a ton of different things, did you get new shoes recently, up your miles etc..

I get tight calves. What my coach has me do is run about a mile then stop and stretch and finish the run and I always stretch right after I run for about 10-15'. You need to stretch when your muscle is warmed up.

I don't always stretch after a mile it depends on how my calves feel.

I did a 10K a week ago and it was cold and raining when I finished. I didn't stretch and I was sore for 3 days afterwards. Stretching would have helped I suspect.

I'm recovering from Achilles tendinitis after training for a marathon this past winter. My podiatrist said it was probably due, at least in part, to tight calves. My daily regimen (which has worked thus far), includes:

 -Rolling the calves with a massage roller (the stick)

 -Light stretching in the evening, and always after running

 -Stretching the flexor muscles on the front of the shins

 -Balance exercises

 -Calf raises

X2 on the foam roller or marathon stick to roll the calves. 

 I ended up with Plantar fasciitis from not stretching/rolling/strengthening my calves.  I now roll after every run and if the calves get tight during the run, I make it a point to walk for about 30 sec after every 9 min of running.  Calf raises are super helpful as well.

But, they haven't been getting tight since I got the stick last year.  And no more pf.

 Good luck to you.

Probably due to all my injury history Im really cautious with my calves... mine tend to get really tight and have been main contributors to past injuries including Runners Knee and Plantar Fascitis.

The two things Im most careful with is to not run on back to back days if they are tight. Stretch LOTS even if Im not running on a day I try to always at least stretch my calves post any workout... and to be VERY conservative as Ive increased my running distance and time.

Im also a believer in compression socks post workout but I know there are lots of differing opinions on whether they are actually beneficial...

I've had the same problem with my calves.  I have had to stop and stretch after a mile or two of running when my muscles are warmed up.  I try to stretch right after I'm done running.

Using the stick regularly also helped.  It seemed like my calves got less tight after I was using it every day. 

thanks everyone!!  It looks like a foam roller is being ordered today. 

OMG...Almost as if I could have written that exact post this morning.  I did my long run yesterday of 9 miles which is stretching it a bit for me.  My only issues during the run was my right calf.  I have had problems before, and it usually starts after about 4 or 5 miles.  I thought yesterday, I was going to make it thru, but it started tightening up on about mile 6 and I had to keep it slow on the way in.  It doesn't hurt much afterwards, and I can walk fine and do fine on the bike.

Let me know if you get this one figured out.  I have never had ANY type of injuries, and I really don't feel like this is an injury.  It just feels sore and a little tight every time my foot hits the ground on the run.  I am hoping that it will get better (stronger) over time.  Maybe some shorter runs more frequently might help the strenght part. 

The other thing you can try is using a lacrosse ball to roll out your calves...sort of like do-it-yourself-ART. Got this idea from my sadist....my ART provider!

 Oh....did you want me to re write this backwards????

Not sure if this will help you, but when my calves get tight ... usually happens to me when I'm swimming the day after a Long Run, a lifeguard showed me an awesome calf stetch and it works very well. 

Here's how you do the stretch.  Stand facing a wall - stand with your nose maybe two inches from the wall.  Then, take one foot and point it straight up as far as you can while keeping your heel on the floor.  Then rest the sole of your foot on the wall and lean forward.  You should feel a really strong pull throughout your calf.  Count to 15 for each calf.  Works everytime for me