Calf pain with only 1 month to go....

[momhmmx2]

So I have one month to go until W&D and during my 12 mile training run yesterday I started to have severe calf pain around mile 10

It is in the upper portion of my calf about 5 inches below my knee. I have been using ice and have kept a compression stocking on since. As long as I don't walk on it it is fine.

Any suggestions on what to do?? I really want to run/walk W&D!!

 

[cewait]

Hard to say from here what it is. Continue your treatment - add a NSAID for the pain and avoid running this week. If not better this time next week, head to the doc.

 

[princessrunner]

I had a similar thing happen to me last year before the marathon relay. It came from stepping wrong when I was running and after partially healing it, I decided to try barefoot shoes and it made it 100 times worse. Charles has given you good advice. After about 6 months of wearing compression socks (heavy neoprene ones) when I ran and changing my running shoes to some with more support, I have finally healed this injury. Since you only have a month, see the doc and get their opinion. My SIL is a PT and she checked mine, the treatment was basically the same, Advil and ice but she knew that I wouldn't stop running so she suggested the neoprene compression socks.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Oh, and do NOT wear stiletto heels, just a little tip. That was an epic fail with the calf injury.

 

[Figment1990]

Definitely not an expert here, but when I had shin splints, I had good luck with rolling my calf with a semi-hard/foam ball, about the size of a baseball. My situation was on the inside of my calf, but I've done it on the outside too and it did seem to help that as well.

Take it easy for a few days though -if you're up to 12 miles last week, you'll be fine with a few days off for this to heal.

Good luck and pixie dust to you!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I would definitely see the doctor. It could just be that you have tight calves and need the foam roller or stick to work that out. Compression pants/socks can help too, but when you said your pain was severe at mile 10, not just annoying, I would see your doctor to rule out anything more serious. A lot of us have been running for a while and dealt with all sorts of aches and pains, but the earlier you catch a problem, the better! Sending healing thoughts!

 

[dragitoff]

After my first half, I had severe calf cramps. It was so bad my left calf would completely sieze up and I couldn't even lift to front of my foot up high enough to stretch it out. I wore compression calve sleeves for a long time after that whenever I did a long run. They worked for the most part and I haven't had any major calf problems since. I don't really wear the sleeves much anymore, but I do make a point to stretch very good before and after long runs.

 

[BRER]

If you have insurance and can see a PT, ask about Active Release Therapy. Sometimes just a session or two will help break up the knots that are causing your calf soreness.

 

[momhmmx2]

Hi everyone thanks for all your replies and suggestions! I took 2 weeks off and Rested the calf. I spent the first 3 days using ice and compression stockings. Then the remainder of the time with off and on heating pad...continued with the compression stockings and got out the roller to gently roll and stretch the calf.

Well I ran 6.1 miles today and only felt the calf twice, both times when I was slowly walking up a hill (about at the peak both times) I wore compression sleeves and other than taking 2 weeks off affecting my endurance my calf feels good to go for the race in 3 weeks.

I'm gonna take it easy..just do some easy 30 minute runs (to work on that endurance!!) between now and W&D, but I'm excited that my calf is making a recovery