Calf Question

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17 years ago 12/27/2006 12:47pm EST

On my last couple runs I have felt my right upper calf tightening up on me. I slowed both runs and afterwards and into the evening I could put my thumb right on the spot that felt tight or a small knot which was the upper inside of my calf. I haven't had any calf problems and today I feel okay but am concerned about the root cause and getting it tight again.

I took some extra Calcium/Magnesium vitamins last night and today and iced last night. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I am running my first marathon in 11 days and trying to manage my fitness, my taper, my health and my sanity! Thanks,

17 years ago 12/27/2006 12:53pm EST

re: bulldog35

when birthing a calf, you can tell the cow has entered its second stage of labor by the obvious signs of straining.

17 years ago 12/27/2006 1:00pm EST

re: just lick your calf

17 years ago 12/27/2006 1:13pm EST

re: bulldog35

Keep taking the calcium and magnesium until it is time to race. Make sure that you are also well hydrated. Heat before (warm bath or shower) ice after. Calves and their injuries can be tough to heal since it is really difficult to walk or run without using them. Maybe you should run really, really easy between now and then? Certainly, don't keep "testing" the injury prior to your race, run easy, show up on race day and hope for the best.

I'm not very bright and in the past, I continued to test the injury, only to have it knot up for another couple of days.

17 years ago 12/27/2006 1:15pm EST

re: bulldog35

According to tim noakes (lore of running), you probably have a chronic muscle tear. The only thing that works is deep cross friction massage on the knot. You can do this yourself.

17 years ago 12/27/2006 1:30pm EST

re: bulldog35

I got that once. I think stems from a virus one can catch from running in Laguna Wilderness area. Coyotes and rabbits can be inflicted and when their scat particles go airborne and you can catch a bad case of the isolated calf soreness virus if you aren't lucky.

It sucked when I got it. I had to run easy for about 4-6 weeks and stay away from hills. Good luck in your marathon with it. Advil should be your best friend.

17 years ago 12/27/2006 1:35pm EST

re: bulldog35

this close to a race, better just to take it easy. Getting a massage would probably help not only the symptoms but also the cause--some sort of misalignment somewhere.

17 years ago 12/27/2006 2:44pm EST

re: automaticslim

I've had this. You're getting some goofy advice here. It is a chronic muscle tear. Please go get Tim Noakes book and read about it. Even if you don't do that, start your cross friction massage on the knot right now. It takes several weeks to clear up, but it will clear up with a lot of massage. Stretching the calf is bad at this point. Marathon is doubtful.

17 years ago 12/27/2006 2:54pm EST

re: bulldog35

massage and ice. gentle stretching. got a "Stick" or a foam roller?

make sure you are hydrated.

with 11 days to go, the work is done, rest is best at this point

good luck!

doing Houston?

17 years ago 12/27/2006 3:28pm EST

re: bulldog35

You said there's a knot in the upper inside of the calf. Does this mean approximately right behind the knee? If so, I've found the achilles stretch on a step or against the wall loosens this right up, no problem.

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