Calf pain - looking for advice

[M@]

I've been training for a marathon the past 4 months - and dealing with calf pain the past 2. It started as a tightness, and is now to the point where it's REALLY tight after a couple miles running and I know if I push it I'll end up with a "twitch" kinda thing in my achillies the following day when I walk down the stairs.

Really frustrating - as I am OUT of the marathon training for now... a MAJOR realization I made just a minutes ago.

Anyhow - I am probably going to go see some sort of doc - but not sure what kind or how my insurance is gonna look at it.

Any advice along any of those lines would be great.

M@

[RR]

I've been training for a marathon the past 4 months - and dealing with calf pain the past 2. It started as a tightness, and is now to the point where it's REALLY tight after a couple miles running and I know if I push it I'll end up with a "twitch" kinda thing in my achillies the following day when I walk down the stairs.

Really frustrating - as I am OUT of the marathon training for now... a MAJOR realization I made just a minutes ago.

Anyhow - I am probably going to go see some sort of doc - but not sure what kind or how my insurance is gonna look at it.

Any advice along any of those lines would be great.

M@You will likely be allowed numerous Physical Therapy sessions if your gatekeeper MD cooperates and send you to the best runner's orthopedist in your area. The ortho will set you up with PT (demand the best!) and they will treat your condition in the hope of you avoiding surgery and saving your insurer from paying for it.

Take full advantage of that last bit!

[TenSeven]

Ask about kinesio taping...it did wonders when I strained my achilles before a half-marathon.

[TenSeven]

What about your shoes? How many miles on them? Are they suited to your physiology?

[Skilasnow]

Any mild swelling in or around the ankle? I'm thinking just a little softness in the tissue, as I think you would have noticed anything more.

It sounds to me like you probably over stretched something, a muscle, the achilles very pssibly, or an ankle ligament. Sometimes, if this doesn't immediately cause discomfort, the result is over compensation by the major muscles in the area leading to muscle strain, this is especially true of the athlete in training. A typical prescription: ease off the specific training (running in this case), do PT type range of motion excersizes, and a little more strength training being careful of the strained muscle, sprained ligament or pulled tendon. Taping is also usually indicated. I think I would try an ace bandage (or fitted brace thingy) for your ankle and go for a mild run to see if its any better, remove it after cool down from the run, and see how it feels.

And do what RR said.

[Bannick]

next time marry a massage therapist/physio assisstant...;)

I have a friend who is a maration runner and over the last couple of years he has developed a calf issue as well. He would be mid way into a run then his calf tightens up forcing him to abandon the run and hobble home. He says it is kinda like a cramp but it doesn't quit. He is fine to walk on it after a couple of days. So he stops running for a few weeks then it is fine....but it can go again without warning....it seems to happen about twice a year.

He has been to get it checked and they have not been able to figure it out. They have ruled out torn ligaments or fractures but they are still without a diagnosis.

Keep us posted with how you make out.

That is why I ride a bike....

[Affix Snow]

I went running yesterday....outside.

Felt good.

Sorry no advice M@ ...but i hope you feel better!

edit: I have no idea why this keeps putting the "email" link in...ive tried to erase it 5 times....weird....

[Justin]

might sound all too obvious, but hydration has alot to do cramp/muscle pains. I can't run much more than a mile if I'm in shoes that don't "work" for me either...

maybe stay away from pavement for a while too?

[astrotech]

M@, sorry to hear about the calf pain and dropping out of the marathon training. It is a hard thing to do.
I too have all kinds of problems with my lower legs, between my knees and ankles. I can get shin splints so bad it feels like my fibula is going to snap. Lately I have been getting some calf pain as well, not enough to cause me to drop out but enough that it is making already grueling runs even more difficult.
I go through a whole sequence of stretches on my lower legs, both before and after running. I do the common ‘leaning into the wall’ stretch, I also sit down with my legs side by side in front of me, I then pull back on my feet to stretch the calf and then point my toes away from me while gently pressing down on my thighs to stretch the shins. I also do a 30 second sit on my heels, like a samurai, to stretch the shins.
After running I also ice my lower legs, ice packs, frozen peas, frozen tater tots, etc, etc. Helps reduce the swelling.
A few years ago I was at a physical therapist for my shin splints and they made me a custom pair of ortho inserts, I have been using them ever since, though I suspect I need to get a new pair by now. A cheaper quick fix is to get something called “It’s Your Sole”, these are heat moldable inserts and can help some as well.
As mentioned, miles on the sneakers does make a difference, keep it under about 500.
Also when I feel lower leg pain coming on I slow my pace down, and like slow it down a lot, after a few 3-4 miles of slow pace my legs have loosened up enough where they can handle things.
Hope some of that helps. Let me know how it goes, you can get through this and still do a marathon, it will just be slower, take more time in training.

I went down and rode the Cape Cod marathon course this past weekend, there is a hill around mile 15 that is going to have me crying like a baby. But the run around the lighthouse at Nobska point is just beautiful, so it will make the pain worthwhile.

[surf88]

I've been dealing with the same issues lately. It started for me at the Manch road race, I took three days off from running prior to the race to rest up, but then couldn't resist running up uncanoonuc earlier that day. I'm not sure if that precipitated the problem but ever since, after the first mile the same thing happens. I went to doctor and he gave me the same old spihl about not over using your shoes, stretching and keeping hydrated(all of which is very elementary to a runner). For me I think the problem was more of an electrolyte problem. I've noticed the problem getting better since I've dumped the gator aid and started using accelerade from GNC. It tastes like crap but it seems to help.

[M@]

Got myself to a thearpist at CPTE in Nashua, Jennifer Plant, and after a thorugh interview and a bunch of measurements and other tricks she pronounced me as "Girly Calfs" (actually, a guy at work came up with that term) Basically, my calf muscles aren't anywhere near as strong as they need to be.

She recommended a few thigns, a couple exersizes and some inserts for my shoes - and the best part is she decided I needed new ski boots! I kinda led her to this, but I do need them - it's been a good 8 years I think.

M@

[RR]

... and the best part is she decided I needed new ski boots! I kinda led her to this, but I do need them - it's been a good 8 years I think.

M@Garmont Endorphine Alpine Touring Boot or the Adrenalin

or if you like Scarpa, The Tornado

All three have the dual soles.

The rest of the AT boots are lighter and maybe won't last 8 years for mixed use.

[Justin]

poor you...

BTW, in my experiences i've noticed:

Scarpas are in general narrower -- though not crazy narrow IMO

Garmonts have a more square fit...

Just food for thought.

[astrotech]

M@, you may want to try going for a massage or two. I have been having some serious calf pain recently as well, and went and had a sports/deep tissue* massage. A lot of the tightness seems to be gone, so that is an improvement.

*There is some difference between a deep tissue and a sports massage, I do not know enough about massage therapy to be able to explain what it is.

[ski&ride]

Got myself to a thearpist at CPTE in Nashua, Jennifer Plant, and after a thorugh interview and a bunch of measurements and other tricks she pronounced me as "Girly Calfs"

M@

M@, Jen's cool, she worked on my ITB...small world....I'm actually seeing Patty there now for stupid back spasms, be there today at 2:30pm. Are you continuing on a therapy program there, or just at home stuff (& new boots of course!)? Hope you're up & running again soon!

ski&ride

[M@]

Jen recommended I try it myself and if I'm not happy with it they'd be happy to set me up with a program.

Did I mention the consult was FREE? Not "covered by insurance" free either, CPTE does these consults free.

M@

[surf88]

Hey, how have the girly calfs been shaping up? Has the physical therapy helped with the calf tightening issues? As much as I hate doctors Ive been tempted to look into some help myself, and I was just wondering if its been working out for you. Did you need to get a referal to CPTE for insurance reasons or can you dirrectly deal with them?

[mier]

i am sorry to hear that ,but i hope you will be better soon .
in my opinion ,you coule do some sports that's not tempestuous .then i believe it is good for you .