Started running again - calf pain

[APanda]

I've asked a few people this question and have seemed to get totally different answers, so thought I'd put it to the wisdom of PH...

A bit of background - Around 2-3 years ago I moved for a job and ended up working late most nights/weekends, not cooking for myself etc. This coupled with the fact I regularly get migraines when I exercise, I ended up putting on quite a bit of weight. Now I think I have cured my migraines (completely cutting out artificial sweetener after someone on PH mentioned it) and have started to gradually try and get back to my previous weight/fitness. I'm 2 stone down so far with core exercises every morning and now running (as of 6 weeks ago) 4 times a week.

Now I was out for a run the other day, only managed to do 2k and had to stop there and then with sudden calf pain in both legs. I've never had anything like it before, it took me about 20 mins to hobble the 5 min walk home.

I know "man up" etc etc, but just wondered if it was something missing from my diet (more protein?) as someone has suggested or there's anything I can do to stop it happening. It would be great if anyone could enlighten me on cause or prevention?

[egor110]

How many miles a week have you been doing?

My guess is you've over done it and not been stretching enough.

[ewenm]

Hydration possibly? Cramps can be due to dehydration. It's unlikely to be muscle pulls in both legs simultaneously.

[goldblum]

I know you said calf..but was it to the side of the calf muscle at all? Could be shin splints.

[CrabDan]

Probably an overuse injury. Find something else to do for a bit. Four times a week is a pretty drastic step up from nothing at all. Sometimes an injury is an injury and no amount of nutritional nonsense can sort it.

[a boardman]

Where in north west are you based, are you member of running club.

[mattikake]

It largely depends on the pain. Different pains mean different things.

Was it cramping, sharp, stabbling, sore, burning, tingling, shooting? Or a combination of those?

[APanda]

goldblum said:

I know you said calf..but was it to the side of the calf muscle at all? Could be shin splints.

I have had a shint splint a few times when running in the past, but have taken it easy this time and it doesn't feel as though it's in that place or that sort of pain.

a boardman said:

Where in north west are you based, are you member of running club.

Based Didsbury, south Manchester. Not a member of a running club, been doing short distances on my own - no more than 15k a week

mattikake said:

Was it cramping, sharp, stabbling, sore, burning, tingling, shooting? Or a combination of those?

It was an ache, followed by burning from ankle to knee and shooting simultaneously.

[goldblum]

APanda said:

It was an ache, followed by burning from ankle to knee and shooting simultaneously.

From "ankle to knee" in both calves?

Have you recently started running hills? How's your flexibility?

[APanda]

I have been incorporating a fairly steep hill into my run for the last few weeks or so...

[goldblum]

Steep hill in Didsbury? You lie,lol.

I'm in Macc, there's some reasonably tough hills here.

[944fan]

I've been getting this from stiff calves, also shin splints.

this helps:

http://www.theflexibilitycoach.com/articles/8_10_w...

[APanda]

goldblum said:

Steep hill in Didsbury? You lie,lol.

We keep our hills well hidden from outsiders

Come to think of it, it's the only hill I can think of for miles around, maybe I should re-think my route.

[rog007]

CrabDan said:

Probably an overuse injury. Find something else to do for a bit. Four times a week is a pretty drastic step up from nothing at all. Sometimes an injury is an injury and no amount of nutritional nonsense can sort it.

Agree. This is a common complaint and half expected when going from nothing to a lot. It's clearly telling you something, so worth a listen. Asuming pain has subsided, rest for 3 weeks then very slowly begin by walking, then walking/jogging, then running. If it comes back, stop and rest or 6 weeks. Then try same routine again. In the meantime, swimming may be your best bet to maintain fitness without impacting upon your calves. As I'm not a physio, I'd have this advice confirmed by a profesional. Good luck!

[APanda]

rog007 said:

Agree. This is a common complaint and half expected when going from nothing to a lot. It's clearly telling you something, so worth a listen. Asuming pain has subsided, rest for 3 weeks then very slowly begin by walking, then walking/jogging, then running. If it comes back, stop and rest or 6 weeks. Then try same routine again. In the meantime, swimming may be your best bet to maintain fitness without impacting upon your calves. As I'm not a physio, I'd have this advice confirmed by a profesional. Good luck!

I think I'm going to have to take up a low-impact exercise for a while, tried running tonight and only managed a mile without pain returning. This pretty much echoes what most people have said, which is probably more of an actual injury or strain.

[Cheib]

How long does it take the pain to go away ? Are your calves sore for a few days afterwards ?

If it's the latter it could be compartment syndrome. The note below is a description of it. I had it in my shins but had a very simple op to relieve it...it is also possible to get it in your calves,

A note about chronic compartment syndrome

Chronic compartment syndrome below the knee is sometimes confused with shin splints. See separate leaflet called 'Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)' for more detail.

Chronic compartment syndrome below the knee usually affects the anterior fascial compartment (see above) and is caused by a swelling of one of the muscles of the lower leg, called the tibialis anterior muscle. The muscle can swell during exercise. It typically affects long-distance runners and hill runners. It tends to cause pain in the shin on the lateral (outer) side. (Shin splints typically cause pain on the medial (inner) side.) The pain in the shin is relieved by resting but the compartment syndrome can return each time you run. Sometimes an operation is needed to open up the fascial compartment around the muscle, to relieve the pressure.