Help: Calf pain

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2010-03-17 10:18 AM

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Subject: Help: Calf pain
I have been running for about a year now consistently but only recently (one month) started running outdoors.  I am having terrible pain in my calf muscles while running and afterwards. The soreness lasts at least a full day aftrwards.

 It is in the lower portion of my calves.  I run through it but its awful.  It doesn't feel like a pulled muscle or injury, rather it feels like my calves just aren't developed enough for the hills.

I need advice.  Do I just suck it up and keep running?  Ice them?  Massage?
I stretch quite a bit including yoga.  I bought a foam roller yesterday--hoping that will help too.

Thanks in advance--

2010-03-17 10:27 AM
in reply to: #2731177

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Subject: RE: Help: Calf pain

If most of your previous work has been on the treadmill and you recently moved outside what your expirenceing is the use of new muscles to drive you forward. 

My reccomendation would be to back off the intensity and build a outdoor running base.  Listen to your body, a little bit of muscle soreness is manageable but don't risk injury trying to push through real pain.

2010-03-17 10:35 AM
in reply to: #2731208

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Subject: RE: Help: Calf pain
drewbialk - 2010-03-17 10:27 AM

If most of your previous work has been on the treadmill and you recently moved outside what your expirenceing is the use of new muscles to drive you forward. 

My reccomendation would be to back off the intensity and build a outdoor running base.  Listen to your body, a little bit of muscle soreness is manageable but don't risk injury trying to push through real pain.



x2 exactly.  Your outdoor runing muscles are just getting used to having to propel you forward, not just upward like on a treadmill.  Take it nice and easy as you build your mileage and muscles.  Good idea on ice as needed and always a good to stretch and use the foam roller psot-workout.  Make sure you warm up with a walk/run/light strecth too.  Good luck!.
2010-03-17 10:44 AM
in reply to: #2731177

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Subject: RE: Help: Calf pain
x3.  This is why I always use at least a .5 incline on a treadmill
2010-03-17 11:04 AM
in reply to: #2731177

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Subject: RE: Help: Calf pain
Thanks.  The pain kicks in at about 2 miles so I can't back off the miles.  And I can promise you it's not the speed.  LOL.  It's just getting used to the hills.  Shame on me for running on the treadmill for so long without any grade.  Oh well.  Hoping it will pass soon.  Messing up my calves running also screws up my cycling.
2010-03-17 2:26 PM
in reply to: #2731177

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Subject: RE: Help: Calf pain

its a tough game to play...  keep at it, try to cut back on the intesity some.  This is exactly why I ran outside all winter.  Only ran on the dreadmill twice and that was because it would have been dangerous to run outside for an hour.  Reaffirmed why I hate it so much.  Stick with it and remeber to enjoy yourself.

2010-03-17 3:03 PM
in reply to: #2731177

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Subject: RE: Help: Calf pain
Thanks.  I also have researched Pose running and it seems to put less stress on the calves.
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