So after doing a lot of running recently my calf has a mild dull pain in it. While it isn't that painful it is a very uncomfortable feeling. Feels like the beginning of a cramp that never gets past 10% or so. I have given it a week but it still starts to feel funny. Any ideas besides the obvious rest it more? Past experiences? I did search for strained calf muscle... Thanks.

11/25/2008 2:46:21 AM

I had the same thing after I got off my lazy butt and started running more, it went away with time.

I did stretch it a lot (long stretches after running) and massaged it often; maybe that will help you as well.

also, massage therapist a few times were awesome for the rest of the body as well, in case that's hurtin.

eat more bananas, the potassium helps a bunch to prevent the cramping, which if you ever had a calf cramp, is a bitch.

11/25/2008 3:06:31 AM

Fuck it. I just live.

11/25/2008 8:34:35 AM

raiden's advice is money.

11/25/2008 12:04:18 PM

...just keep drinkin water

i dont think my calf is ever loose to be honest, since i work out everyday its constant

just cant let it get to a point of injury, drinkin water helps that

11/25/2008 12:11:50 PM

stretch before running too.

11/25/2008 12:40:49 PM

any bruising on the surface or is it just the dull pain?

Look into foam rolling as that will be the best/cheapest alternative

I'd also try stretching...make sure to include stretches for the soleus as well as the gastrocs

11/25/2008 1:54:26 PM

Water, bananas to prevent strain


once you've strained it though - and you will know it's a strain because that shit hurts like a motherfucker - drink things that give you lots of vitamin C and stay the fuck off of it for like a week or so


it sounds like you haven't strained it yet

11/25/2008 5:39:30 PM

If you're a student - stop by the Fitness Suite in the Rec Center (2nd floor) and I'll show you some stretches and foam rolling.

11/25/2008 7:37:06 PM

Linda will you work me out?

11/25/2008 10:41:34 PM

Quote :

"So after doing a lot of running recently my calf has a mild dull pain in it. While it isn't that painful it is a very uncomfortable feeling. Feels like the beginning of a cramp that never gets past 10% or so. I have given it a week but it still starts to feel funny. Any ideas besides the obvious rest it more? Past experiences? I did search for strained calf muscle... Thanks."

You should soak your legs in warm to hot water with kitchen salt because heat vasodialates the blood vessels. If there is any type of buildup it will move plus it's getting cold so our muscles become less elastic or flexible which can also cause some flare ups.

NEVER stretch the muscles when they are cold and you can stretch after a 5 min warmup.

Hope this helps.

11/26/2008 2:11:48 AM

Thanks for the help folks. I think the cold did have something to do with it. I will be cautious about stretching it cold and am hoping that a lot of rest and laziness over this holiday will have it back to normal. Not running is not an option...

11/28/2008 12:12:00 AM

yea you aint gotta stay off it for a week

thats too long to be inactive for the serious athlete being at most a simple muscle sprain

11/28/2008 10:35:01 AM

In his situation it doesn't look like he needs to take a week off. He can go for a little slower jog and he should be fine with some stretching.

11/28/2008 10:49:53 AM

I recommend a faster jog. Slow jog will strain your shins and calf muscles

11/28/2008 2:01:10 PM

It's very unlikely you are deficient in essential vitamins. I am also skeptical of vitamin C making any significant impact. The causes of cramping is a long list in of itself. However, you are not cramping--it's progressed to a symptom of over-training.

The best thing to do is lay off of running for awhile--and how long is up to you. If you rehab and get back in 3 or 4 days, great. If it takes you 2 weeks, it took you 2 weeks.

Swimming is an excellent supplement for runners because it can increase flexibility in your ankles. Seek exercises that strengthens your tibialis anterior (shins) to counterbalance the tightness of your soleus (lower calves).

What do you do when you get back to prevent reinjuring your vulnerable calves?

Find proper shoes. Do you overpronate? Suppinate? You need to know. Do the sales staff know?

Run on softer surfaces. Grass, track.

Improve running technique--strive for a high cadence. Count periodically during your run to hit 30+ left (right) foot strikes per 20 seconds. Efficiency.

Stretch. Don't stretch before your muscles are warmed up. Too many people do cold stretching. I would rather you do dynamic stretching, or muscle activation drills.

Here is a good routine that I perform before a track workout. Each count is based off of left foot strikes. Ex. Left (1), Right, Left (2)...

1. 15 count cariokas (one way)
2. 15 count cariokas (opposite way)
3. 15 count high knee skips
4. 15 count backwards running
strides (85% sprint) 200m or 30 sec.

Repeat this till warmed-up. If you do this right, it'll open up your lungs a little and engage your muscles to prepare for the journey ahead.

11/30/2008 6:38:17 AM

what are "cariokas"?

12/1/2008 10:56:47 AM

^^id go by what this guy says, hes a true and complete athlete

where you run sideways and shift your feet back and forth across eachother, its one of the warm ups football players do before games

[Edited on December 1, 2008 at 1:23 PM. Reason : d]

12/1/2008 1:21:47 PM

TRY vicodin.

12/1/2008 1:50:19 PM

Once again thanks for all of the answers. I am on my feet all the time so unfortunately I am not able to rest it like I want to. It is feeling a lot better but not 100% so I guess I will still not be running just yet. Stretching seems to help a lot I just wish it was better because I want to be out running! You bet I will take all the advice I can get to avoid doing this again in the future!

12/2/2008 4:15:53 PM

Barefoot running ftw. Normal tennis/running/etc shoes do not allow your calf to stretch as it should.

12/2/2008 5:22:37 PM

yea just walk outside yo crib and start runnin barefoot

in 3 weeks ull be makin another thread about this horrible case of gangrene you acquired in both feet

12/2/2008 11:34:41 PM

Vibram Five Fingers. Don't say anything if you don't know what you are talking about.

Joe#s is one of the most avid runners on this message board and he runs barefoot. No complaints from him.

[Edited on December 3, 2008 at 5:54 PM. Reason : a]

12/3/2008 5:50:10 PM

bitch you said barefoot runnign not running in specialized shoes


everyone and their god damn momma knows about that footwear dont act like you own some kind of super secret knowledge

and fyi people do actually run barefoot so its not that farfetched to assume thats what youre talking about...i mean in case you are too obsessed with shoes to have realized

joe numbers has one leg or some shit get outta here with that

[Edited on December 3, 2008 at 7:29 PM. Reason : d]

12/3/2008 7:27:48 PM

Not every person is suited to run in flats or these specialized shoes. Especially if you plan on doing heavy mileage.

12/4/2008 2:30:47 AM

^You are right, just offering a suggestion. I don't do more than 3-5 miles at a time, but I don't get calf cramps anymore after switching to barefooting.


^^Your sense of observation is truly overwhelming. Super secret knowledge? obsessed with shoes?? one leg or some shit?? What the fuck are you babbling about?

12/4/2008 6:39:26 PM