Calf Injury

Anybody ever have an upper, inside calf injury. I have been nursing what appears to be either a swollen/strained ligament and or a strained calf muscle from some of my past races. (See Rocky 50k and Sunmart) I have not run in two weeks and have not had any pain what so ever. This morning I was pacing someone at a 5k running a 12 minute mile pace and bam! out of the blue it hit me. It feels a lot like the pain you have after a muscle cramp. Any thoughts on what I may have done?

When I got up this morning the pain was almost completely gone. I had to push on the spot that was damaged yesterday just to see if was still there. So rather than doing something stupid and trying to run today, I decided to stay home and enjoy the pain free feeling.

Shoe related? As much as it sucks, invest in a one of those industrial size trash cans and take an ice bath (waist down) after something like that ...works wonders. That is, if you don't already.

I think it was shoe related. I went to get them this morning from the garage and noticed I had different insoles in the shoes. I do the ice baths put have not thought of the idea of investing in the trash can. Thanks for tip.

Sounds like a calf strain, but not a serious one...yet. You have probably torn a small area of muscle fiber. That damaged area can cramp up a bit, even after it heals. I've had a history of calf strains, including a fully-ruptured calf muscle (please don't ask!). The damaged areas tend to tighten up from time to time.

Consider testing it with some light running only, changing to some mountain biking or other low impact activity for the most part for a week or two more. Boring as hell, but treadmill work rather than hill running might be a good alternative also.

The two week rest you took was prudent. Take your time.

Make sure you are stretching it - I like this one: bottom step of the stairs facing up stairs, hang your heels over the edge of the step. Lower your heels down slowly keeping your knees straight until you reach the stretch point, hold for about 30 secs then push up so you are on your toes. This way you stretch and strengthen, using your body weight, in the same exercise

Goofle "calf hart attack".

I'm sold on compression socks and sleves. They really get the blood in there. I also think with the kind of miloes we run Active Release Therapy is a must every few months unless oyu have perfect form.