C
Chris Villone
Guest
Hi all, (If you don't want the particulars and just want to answer my questions go to the bottom,
but please read the whole thing, it's not that long) Here's my particular situation: Between 1997
and 1998 I injured both my calf muscles with what I think is a small tear or strain. They both got
injured within like 6 months of each other. After they got injured I took months off to heal.
Meaning I did no running at all. Whenever I would try to get started running again, after a few
weeks my calf would go again. The injury would be a sudden sharp pain in the calf muscle that would
make me limp and would not go away. I would have to stop running and walk back to my house. So I
would stop running again and try to heal... I think I injured both muscles atleast twice.
Now years later and without and running to speak of in between I think my injuries were due to
lack of stretching. After graduating college in 95 I never really stretched when I ran.
So I am now trying to start running again, to do a fall marathon, and am going very slow. I have
been stretching my calf muscles to try and get them loose again, but I must be doing something
wrong. My calf muscles feel sore after stretching, and they still fell tight when I run. I have
run a total of 3 times, 2 miles each at 8 minute mile pace.(This is slow for me) Anyway on my last
run my right calf started hurting just before the run ended. I'm really frustated. I have read the
articles on stretching and injury prevention at runnersworld.com and know you must have a warm
muscle to get the best stretching, but no one seems to make a suggestion on the best way to get
warmed up, or what it takes to get warmed up so you can stretch your muscles. Also no time line on
how long to strech/heal before starting running again. I stopped running again and yesterday I
walked for 10 minutes at a good pace(used that as my warm up) then went back to my cubicle and
stretched my calves. Last night both my calf muscles were sore. Does this mean I am stretching to
hard on the muscles and that is why they are getting injured or is this ok?
MAJOR QUESTIONS: I have put hot packs on my calves for 10 minutes and used them to warm the muscle,
and then stretched, is this acceptable or should this not be done?
How do I warm up(what activity) and stretch my calf muscles so that I am able to run again?
What stretches are best for the calves so as not to overstretch them?
Any suggestions on other activities to improve my fitness level while trying to restore my calves?
Suggestions on ice and anti-inflamatories? Thanks, Chris
but please read the whole thing, it's not that long) Here's my particular situation: Between 1997
and 1998 I injured both my calf muscles with what I think is a small tear or strain. They both got
injured within like 6 months of each other. After they got injured I took months off to heal.
Meaning I did no running at all. Whenever I would try to get started running again, after a few
weeks my calf would go again. The injury would be a sudden sharp pain in the calf muscle that would
make me limp and would not go away. I would have to stop running and walk back to my house. So I
would stop running again and try to heal... I think I injured both muscles atleast twice.
Now years later and without and running to speak of in between I think my injuries were due to
lack of stretching. After graduating college in 95 I never really stretched when I ran.
So I am now trying to start running again, to do a fall marathon, and am going very slow. I have
been stretching my calf muscles to try and get them loose again, but I must be doing something
wrong. My calf muscles feel sore after stretching, and they still fell tight when I run. I have
run a total of 3 times, 2 miles each at 8 minute mile pace.(This is slow for me) Anyway on my last
run my right calf started hurting just before the run ended. I'm really frustated. I have read the
articles on stretching and injury prevention at runnersworld.com and know you must have a warm
muscle to get the best stretching, but no one seems to make a suggestion on the best way to get
warmed up, or what it takes to get warmed up so you can stretch your muscles. Also no time line on
how long to strech/heal before starting running again. I stopped running again and yesterday I
walked for 10 minutes at a good pace(used that as my warm up) then went back to my cubicle and
stretched my calves. Last night both my calf muscles were sore. Does this mean I am stretching to
hard on the muscles and that is why they are getting injured or is this ok?
MAJOR QUESTIONS: I have put hot packs on my calves for 10 minutes and used them to warm the muscle,
and then stretched, is this acceptable or should this not be done?
How do I warm up(what activity) and stretch my calf muscles so that I am able to run again?
What stretches are best for the calves so as not to overstretch them?
Any suggestions on other activities to improve my fitness level while trying to restore my calves?
Suggestions on ice and anti-inflamatories? Thanks, Chris