Any runners on here?

[NI_Red]

Am constantly pestered with calf strains. Have just pulled it again 10 weeks out from a half marathon.

Anyone had similar issues and would you mind sharing what helped?

 

[Chutney]

I think they'd have said if there were.

 

[Quicksilvera]

Am constantly pestered with calf strains. Have just pulled it again 10 weeks out from a half marathon.

Anyone had similar issues and would you mind sharing what helped?

Yes, had some calf issues after I tore it playing football about ten years ago. The only thing I can recommend is plenty of strength work In the gym and keep up on your salt and fluid intake pre run.

 

[LowMoorBoro]

I use to get calf issues if I ramped up weekly miles too quickly.
When I was training for half marathons in the past I stuck to the no more than 5% weekly mileage increase and that worked for me.

 

[Quicksilvera]

I use to get calf issues if I ramped up weekly miles too quickly.
When I was training for half marathons in the past I stuck to the no more than 5% weekly mileage increase and that worked for me.

This is very good advice, small goals are the way forward.

 

[zzzzz]

Try a podiatrist. Could be your gait. Really is worth getting it analysed.
I was tortured with shin splints for years on and off until a very good posiatrist proscibed tailer made insoles. Cured overnight.

 

[RotherhamBoro]

Do you stretch properly before running?

Personally I stretch nightly, regardless of if I'm running/been running that day. I can really feel the difference in how my legs and lower back feels if miss a couple of days.

 

[BobbyG]

What shoes are you wearing? Could be that a higher drop would help

 

[ForssAwakens]

Do you stretch properly before running?

Personally I stretch nightly, regardless of if I'm running/been running that day. I can really feel the difference in how my legs and lower back feels if miss a couple of days.

I always thought stretching before a run could more likely cause injury. Especially static stretching as the muscles are cold rather than warm.

Stretching afterwards is really important mind

 

[Quicksilvera]

I always thought stretching before a run could more likely cause injury. Especially static stretching as the muscles are cold rather than warm.

Stretching afterwards is really important mind

You should always warm up/cool down and stretch before and after every run.

 

[ForssAwakens]

You should always warm up/cool down and stretch before and after every run.

Ye warm up is different to stretching though

 

[Quicksilvera]

Ye warm up is different to stretching though

It should be part of it, I do 800m at a gradual walk to run pace then stretch off before I start any cardio, it really helps me but not everyone is the same.

 

[ForssAwakens]

It should be part of it, I do 800m at a gradual walk to run pace then stretch off before I start any cardio, it really helps me but not everyone is the same.

Yes that’s probably the right way to do it as you’ve warmed your muscles up

 

[TheReck]

Make sure you have correct footwear regarding if your neutral, overpronator, underpronator shoe. If you’re not sure Runnerneeds shop can check your foot rotation! If you’re running on pavements and roads on a regular basis you do need change footwear every 6 months.
Compression socks are excellent for longer runs and will aid recovery. It will stop the calf’s shaking whilst running

 

[SmallTown]

It may not be your calf. When you do you warm up's make sure your hammy's are fully warm too. And do as much hamstring stretching, calf raise and hip flexibility as you can manage. It could well be (it is in my case) tight hips that pull on the chain of muscles in the leg, causing calves and mammies to tighten.

 

[WoodallServices]

I got compression socks (although not run much recently) touch wood no probs since.