Ran a 6x800 workout, now 7 days later my calf still won't untighten

I think you need to dig into more than foam rolling does. I'd get massage cream and dig your thumbs into it, running your thumbs the the length of your calf as you go from having your toes pointed toward your knee to having your toes pointed toward the floor (hopefully that makes sense.). CBD oil seems to have helped me, but its only anecdotal. Take a multi-vitamin too.

Is there any visible swelling or bruising? Does it hurt to go up on your toes? It almost sounds like you pulled a muscle.

I’d try rolling out with a lacrosse ball and just holding in place and seeing if you can get some kind of release, then try actually rolling around

If you have access to a hot tub I’d suggest sitting in one and putting one of the jets on your calf.

Maybe bike for a couple days and see how you feel. Somethings things like this actually resolve themselves with running as well.

Probably overlooked the workout. Happens to me sometimes. Do some very slow, repeat, very slow running and it should loosen up.

Dromano19 wrote:

Probably overlooked the workout. Happens to me sometimes. Do some very slow, repeat, very slow running and it should loosen up.

*overcooked

another thing you can try is using a lacrosse or tennis ball and rolling that over your calves. its helped me a lot.

remembername wrote:

another thing you can try is using a lacrosse or tennis ball and rolling that over your calves. its helped me a lot.

i agree, although i personally avoid tennis balls because they're not stiff enough for me (your mileage may vary). my favorite is a really hard softball (like a large baseball) because I find its large size allow for much more ease in maneuverability for my hips, glutes, calves, and quads. a lacrosse ball, being my second choice, is almost as good, but is highly preferable when I roll the soles of my feet. a golf ball is nice and hard, but its small size and lack of grip becomes annoying when you're trying to focus on a really bothersome spot.

CV workouts are kinda dumb. No one size fits all there anyway. Following that formula = misguided. Much like the LT stuff that ended up a mess upon a mess.

Nothing wrong w/ 6 x 800 but you should not have attempted this on a track; and as it is early in your comeback, compartments are tight. Walking breaks superior for you at this point. Also, a bit more of a warmup may help.

Based on your symptoms, the right leg is a bit longer than left.

At minimum, once out of the woods w this, stick to lane 8 eliminating a turn.

Your training flats are too light for the training, stick to a heavier shoe.

it's a calf strain

Sounds a lot like a calf strain. An ultrasound should be able to see it.

If it is a strain, do not roll-massage-dig etc... It is just going to delay healing; it would be like poking into an open wound. Let it rest for a while.

I had similar issues with almost identical circumstances. Mine was hip tightness from having a desk job and misalignment. Fixed it by doing full rotation stretches with my leg using a band. NAU and most top college programs do it because the rapid temperature changes in four season climates cause calf tightness and inflammation.

TMTS

This is spot on with my experience. Calf turned black and blue after having Achilles problems. Gentle massage on the calf helped, but only after I let the initial injury calm down a bit.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Few things:

No visible swelling or bruising.

I can't imagine I strained it, it just doesn't feel like a strain.

Rolling it heavily made it feel better, which makes me think it's not a strain.

Will use a lacrosse/baseball to roll it out and run VERY slowly today. Will report back.

dsrunner-- Didn't wear flats, and my right and left leg are the same length. I'm just trying to have fun, and a 6x800 was good for me and my training partner. Appreciate the comment about sticking to outer lanes, will definitely consider that for the future.

Thanks all! Hope to have good news later tonight.

Grab a broom and kneel down onto the ground with your feet plantar flexed, place the broom across your calves then lean back using your body weight to press on the area. Reposition the broom moving down or up until you've covered the entire area. I find this to be the best way to massage your calves.

Hey buddy I did 5x1k at 10k to 5k a few weeks ago and same thing. I took a few days off. Like 3 and I was okay. Still some tightness at first. Just roll out and stretch and eat well. I also used KT tape at first and it seemed to help a little. The key I found was just making sure you are properly resting. My old athletic training did me a favor and zoom called me to help with some excercise once healed.

3x10 eccentric heel drop

Ankle circles 2x10

3x10 1 legged calf raise each leg

Skaters which is where you jump side to side from one leg to the other so you do not develop too much favoring on one leg.

I also found heat the first few days to be a big help.

Get a TENS machine. I went with the one below it has been a calf saver for me. I always had calf problems and messages were required every couple of months to get me going again but now I just sit down watch tv and get my calves zapped. There are better more expensive ones as well as cheaper ones. Just make sure it has a setting that contracts the muscle for a few seconds at a time.

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calf didn't tighten up wrote:

it's a calf strain

And if it is, you need to rest it.

Calf injuries are the common thread for older runners (35 +)

Push it too hard and you will lengthen your stay on the sidelines.

As you are not getting ready for Oslo, I suggest you rest. Life is a long time and recovery takes time.

Stretch your hammies! That always helps me with calf tightness

Minor calf strain. If you are under 25, rest it for 5 days. Over 50, rest it six months. Extrapolate for ages between 25 and 50 using a quadratic function.