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tight calf
BY: mikep on 2007-08-08 4:52 PM
My right calf has always been a little tight off and on accompanied with a little heel pain. I actually don't notice it when running or biking. Just after sometimes. Well after my sprint on Sunday, they have been a little more sore then usual and continues as I type. I have iced it and have not been runnig or biking yet. Any thoughts on what to do?
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RE: tight calf
BY: Triboy77 on 2007-08-08 5:54 PM
Solution to tightness is as follows
Buy
couple feet of PVC piping
1 Pool Noodle
Cut to size
Put pool noodle on pipe
Rub away your tightness
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"To give anything less then your best is to sacrifice the gift" -The late great Steve Prefontaine
"Drafting is like sitting in a hot tub with a beer, you know you souldent do it but it feels sooo good." -My Dad -
RE: tight calf
BY: SevenZulu on 2007-08-10 12:08 AM
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=82107&posts=24&start=1
Heck, this site almost needs a separate forum for PF. Anyway, stretching and massage will help. PF is an ongoing battle for lots of people. Good luck. I've been struggling with it since last December. I think it's my friend for life.
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RE: tight calf
BY: Ridgelake on 2007-08-10 2:00 PM
Things that should help:
Multiple daily stretching of the gastroc and soleus muscles
Regular stretching of the hamstrings.
Heat
Massage: Professional is great. But self-massage is much more practical. Get a baseball, or lacross ball, or the like and try to work it into the sore spot/tight spots. Several times daily until it loosens up. Then as needed.
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When biking, act like every car is not paying attention. BTers and other bikers are getting hit every week. Anticipate where cars may be coming from. Think about your evasive action. It may save your life some day.
Insanity: Doing something over and over and over again and expecting the result to change. -
RE: tight calf
BY: mikep on 2007-08-10 2:09 PM
Heat? Not ice? I always thought ice was the way to go. In fact, I have ice on it rght now. Maybe thats my problem??
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RE: tight calf
BY: Ridgelake on 2007-08-13 10:04 AM
Ice is best immediately after an injury. It helps reduce swelling. First 24-48 hours or so.
Heat is generally best afterwards. It increases bloodflow, bringing more nutrients and oxygen to the area and removing more waste products.
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When biking, act like every car is not paying attention. BTers and other bikers are getting hit every week. Anticipate where cars may be coming from. Think about your evasive action. It may save your life some day.
Insanity: Doing something over and over and over again and expecting the result to change. -
RE: tight calf
BY: mikep on 2007-08-13 10:22 AM
Thanks. I have only been swimming, I did one EZ biike ride, heat and lots of stretching and massaging but still tight. This patience thing is killing me.
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RE: tight calf
BY: SevenZulu on 2007-08-13 1:52 PM
I've noticed with my tight calf and PF situation that it is exacerbated by lots of climbing while staying in the saddle. I know the common advice is to stay seated on climbs as much as you can. But if you are prone to these tight calves and PF, I'd temper that advice. If you live in an area where you frequently tackle lots of steep, long climbs, I think there's nothing wrong at all with breaking up your climbs by getting out of that saddle from some good sections of the road. Good luck with this problem. It ain't fun. -
RE: tight calf
BY: mikep on 2007-08-14 8:22 PM
It has been a week. I have only swam and did a few real EZ bike rides on the trainer and it has not let up. I have kept the heat on and massaging it (my leg that is) a lot. I thought about just running and seeing what happens. Maybe it will go away or just get messed up and be easier to diagnose and fix.
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RE: tight calf
BY: SevenZulu on 2007-08-17 8:15 PM
mikep - 2007-08-14 6:22 PM It has been a week. I have only swam and did a few real EZ bike rides on the trainer and it has not let up. I have kept the heat on and massaging it (my leg that is) a lot. I thought about just running and seeing what happens. Maybe it will go away or just get messed up and be easier to diagnose and fix.It took several weeks (6?) of frequent stretching (many times per day) for my calf tension and heel symptoms to begin letting up after they had become bothersome. Keep at it. I still battle with PF, but to a lesser degree now, and my first symptoms hit about 9 months ago.
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RE: tight calf
BY: bnmracn on 2007-08-21 4:31 PM
Along with massaging/heat/ice, is there anything we can do nutritionally to help? Drink more water? Less? I'm rather new to all this, but can already feel them getting tight. Thanks!
Edited by bnmracn 2007-08-21 4:45 PM
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RE: tight calf
BY: Kerren on 2007-08-22 10:42 AM
More water is better than less to avoid calf cramping.
In general, heat on the belly of the muscles to increase circulation of both blood and oxygen; and ice on the tendons if inflamed or recently injured (helpful right after exertion).
Using a rolling pin, The Stick, or a tennis ball can help with compressions to the muscle to increase circulation.
Do not forget when stretching your calves to take the time to stretch soleus. Very important.
Below are two posts which may be helpful:
Soleus stretch description and demo:
http://www.killerlifestyle.com/wp02/?p=61
Product review of the ProStretch device:
http://www.killerlifestyle.com/wp02/?p=131
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Kerren Lynch-Gallgaher,MS,NCMT,PFT
www.Killerlifestyle.com
www.Killersocks.com
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RE: tight calf
BY: Cyclingmaniac on 2007-08-22 3:46 PM
Thanks mikep for your question.... got me to thinking.....does anyone stretch the leg/calf muscles in T2 to help prevent leg/calf soreness during run and post race soreness? Pros? Cons (other than loosing a few seconds/minutes in T2?).
Thanks!