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working on a calf injury- race or don't??
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 2009-09-07 11:45 AM |
Member  37  Oregon Coast |  Subject: working on a calf injury- race or don't??About 2 months ago, I experienced some deep bruising out of nowhere (at the bottom of the Gastrocnemius) and it took weeks to go away. No real crazy pain while training or anything except for my runs, when it would be sore during and afterwards. I sort of laid off of running and put a "brace" on it a week or so before my race (a tri). That was 3 weeks ago and it's still bugging me- not enough to cry about but enough that I've cut a few runs short because of the nagging pain and I'm afraid of really screwing it up. My question IS...I'm currently training for my first Half Mary in October. Haven't officially signed up yet because of this calf issue but really want to run it. Do I just keep running until it hurts too bad to keep on? Or do I say forget the HM and rest up for next season?? Thanks in advance for anyone's input! |
| 2009-09-07 12:57 PM in reply to: #2393247 |
Regular 75 Dorchester | Subject: RE: working on a calf injury- race or don't?? I'll start by saying I am a newbie, but rest an injury. If you just keep pushing, your are probably not going to get any faster than you are now because you can't go full out and are risking making things worse. If you rest for a few weeks, have a someone look at it for you, it might heal in time and give you a few training sessions to get back at it. Your time will probably be just as good as if you trained and you are not risking further damage. Just a third party opinion. Personally, I would be stupid and keep working out! |
| 2009-09-07 2:31 PM in reply to: #2393314 |
Member 37 Oregon Coast | Subject: RE: working on a calf injury- race or don't?? hey thanks, at least you replied!  But, that's why I'm asking....I'll probably just be stupid and keep running on it. |
| 2009-09-07 3:15 PM in reply to: #2393247 |
Champion 19812    MA | Subject: RE: working on a calf injury- race or don't?? Training on an injury often leads to much longer recovery often 3-10x longer recovery. Sounds like you really didn't take off adequate time to let if fully heal first time it occured but kept at it even racing at it. No way would I do a 1/2 Mary on a lower leg injury. Do you want to be able to run all fall and winter? Heal up now, if you just want to do the race and not run for months of PT, resting and frustration, race it. |
| 2009-09-07 3:26 PM in reply to: #2393247 |
Member 15 | Subject: RE: working on a calf injury- race or don't?? I had the same calf pain earlier this year when I started to try and get in shape. Extremely frustrating. Could it be a cramping issue? What (I think) I experienced is described in a succinct article here. The article emphasizes athletes 40+ years of age but it may apply to younger ones also. Good luck. |
| 2009-09-07 4:08 PM in reply to: #2393467 |
Member 37 Oregon Coast | Subject: RE: working on a calf injury- race or don't?? and see, I KNOW what your saying is the voice of reason. I just have the hardest time NOT doing something I have my mind set on, ya know? (Especially when it's a race!) Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. |
| 2009-09-07 4:09 PM in reply to: #2393481 |
Member 37 Oregon Coast | Subject: RE: working on a calf injury- race or don't?? that's not quite what's going on here with my calf but thanks for the input nonetheless. |
| 2009-09-07 7:41 PM in reply to: #2393467 |
Pro 4828 The Land of Ice and Snow | Subject: RE: working on a calf injury- race or don't?? KathyG - 2009-09-07 4:15 PM Training on an injury often leads to much longer recovery often 3-10x longer recovery. Sounds like you really didn't take off adequate time to let if fully heal first time it occured but kept at it even racing at it. No way would I do a 1/2 Mary on a lower leg injury. Do you want to be able to run all fall and winter? Heal up now, if you just want to do the race and not run for months of PT, resting and frustration, race it. x2 |
| 2009-09-07 8:45 PM in reply to: #2393247 |
Champion 7821 Brooklyn, NY | Subject: RE: working on a calf injury- race or don't?? It sounds like you're describing a soleus injury. Soleus injuries, because they're deeper in the muscle than the gastroc and get less blood flow, take longer to heal. I'd go get an MRI just to be sure you're not dealing with a tear. If it's a sprain, you can RICE it like crazy for a few weeks and it could be ok. If it's a tear, it's going to take a lot longer and probably some physical therapy as well. You need to at least know for sure what you're dealing with before you can make an informed decision about how to proceed. If it's a tear, you could, conceivably, shut it down for this year, take the whole winter off, and still have it flare up on you on your first long run in March. Then you'll be right back where you are now with the threat of losing your whole 2010 season as well. |
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