Calf pain question

[bunnyfoo]

Hi everyone! I did a 10 mile race yesterday. It was my first time running that distance as a race but not the first time running that distance - I've done several half marathons, 10K and a 30K. This is the first time after a race that my calves have been sore. Usually after races, I get a little bit of knee pain and tightness through the quads that goes away after a day or so.

This time, I have no knee pain or sore quads but sore calves. It feels like I've done too much running or something like that. It's really hard to walk downstairs or stand for long periods of time. I guess it's more annoying that anything else. I did run a bit faster than I would have done a training run but not a lot faster. The pace was just a little faster than my best half time and I felt fine after that.

Just wondering what could have caused it - I did a bunch of dynamic stretching before hand. Was it the pace, my shoes just being over 300 miles? Anything besides icing I can do? I pulled a back muscle recently so I don't really want to try using The Stick.

TIA

 

[FireDancer]

I would just ice them and continue to stretch and let the soreness work its way out. Just because you are a bit more sore after this run then others of similar length and intensity doesn't mean you did anything wrong or your shoes caused the issues.

There are times I do a short run at a slower then normal pace and end up with sore calves for no reason I could explain. The same thing happens in the gym from time to time. I do a workout no more intense then the previous 20 but for some reason I'm much more sore.

There are so many variables in the body (hydration, nutrition, proper rest, etc) that from time to time a run will make you much more sore then you would expect.

 

[crewmatt]

Exactly, if the pain isnt sharp and localized, chances are you've just overdone the muscle a little. I would RICE, take some motrin and a couple days to recover. 2 motrin usually eliminates all post exercise muscle soreness for me, even after a marathon. Obviously remember you're taking it and don't go work out until you've not taken any for 24 hours.

300 miles is getting up there depending on your shoes and how hard you are on them. But I dont think that'd be the issue, usually its knee, foot, or ankle if shoes are going.

 

[cewait]

I would add that rolling the belly of the muscle over a foam roller would work wonders for your muscle. Same concept as the stick but relies on body weight instead of muscle force.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks for the advice guys! I did the foam roller (ouch! ... big ouch!) and pain killers. Now I'm icing. I planned to run 4 miles tomorrow morning but may skip it just to be safe.

 

[Hockeychic]

Ouch Vicky. Do you think when you hit that man hole cover thingy during your run you could have pulled something?

Take care!!!!!

 

[APrunner]

Any chance you were running more hills than usual?

Massage, foam rollers, etc may help, but ultimately you will have to wait it out.

Not sure shoes would be to blame, but at 300 miles, you are likely at a point where you need to start thinking about getting your next pair.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Kim - Not 100% sure but don't think that was it because I feel it in both calves. It's more of a sore overuse feeling rather than a painful muscle pull if that makes any sense. I've got a physio appointment tonight so I will ask him about it then.

AP - The course was pancake flat, there was one minor downhill going onto a bridge and then uphill. But I think that section couldn't have been longer than 15 meters. I'm probably going to break in a new pair of shoes this weekend (assuming I can run). I was really excited that my new shoes have lasted this long. In the past, they would start dying around the 250 mile mark.

 

[smileyk8]

Vicky! Congratulations on 10 mile race first off! Whoop whoop.

I'm going to agree with the above- cold shower/ice on it and foam roller. I was told to keep rolling until it doesn't hurt anymore.... lots more ouchy I'm sorry. Good luck (and thanks for the message )

 

[bunnyfoo]

Oops forgot to post an update. I had talked to my physio and he thinks based on when the pain started, I might have been sweating a lot (it was a lot hotter that day than I thought) and lost a lot of electrolytes. And then I didn't drink enough fluids following the race so that caused the cramping and pain. The calf pain did eventually go away after a few days.

Kate - Hope it was a great day!! Are you going to WDW in January?

 

[smileyk8]

So pleased you have an answer and also one that makes it avoidable in the future! I had an awesome birthday and in fact whole week apart from a bit of a cold- thanks I had been planning to do the marathon again, but now we're hoping to go to WDW for our honeymoon in August I can't justify the cost. Hey i'm having a honeymoon there though so not too disappointed and even better is that it was DFiance's idea after visiting Disneyland Paris