Hi need some help. For the past month on every run about 15 min into the run my calves get extremely tight, very painful, like I've been running hundreds of 400s. They continue to be tight throughout the whole run even if I stretch. Is this due to over training? I stretch, drink water, etc but I'm having problems shaking this thing. Help please
Get "the stick" and use it. If you can afford it, get some professional massage. Are you stretching throughout the day a little at a time, or just before you run for 2 minutes?
Sounds like Compartment Syndrome or even worse, John Walker Syndrome(which is much more unlikely). Usually surgery provides a cure. A slit is made in the muscle sheath to allow more room for the muscle to expand.
I'm sure there are a few guys on here that have worked through this problem with other means though.
I can't find John Walker Syndrome on Google. What is it?
hey, i've had problems with this sort of tightness too. Here's what I can suggest.
1) drink a lot of water, and eat a lot of bananas.
2) definitely try to get a massage on your calves; if you cant get someone else to massage them, use your opposite kneecap to massage and to get some blood flowing through the muscles.
3) --- This may be the most important. It seems as though my own lower-leg tightness was brought on by beginning runs simply too fast. I would suggest you find a nice soft place to run for approx 10 minutes VERY VERY easily. I'm talking maybe like a jog. you dont want to have any sense of forcing anything. you'll know how you feel after maybe 15 minutes.
4) Ice after running, and make stretching your lower legs a habit. It seems to help me, at least.
Basically, I've been a little stuck with similar problems as you. I'm really not sure if its compartment syndrom, overworked calves, or whatever, but the above has definitely helped.
anyway, good luck. be diligent in taking care of yourself!
in reference to this:
John Walker, the esteemed Kiwi miler, had compartment syndrome that limited him to a very short amount of running per day. I think I've heard that he was still able to run a bunch of decent races despite this!
calf soreness
new shoes to start
"Calf"
Actually Walker didn't have true Compartment syndrome. Apparently he suffered from a disorder that was due to his back muscles swelling slightly as he warmed up and the blood vessels to his legs were somewhat shut off and resulted in his calves seizing up.
I wonder if he possibly spontaneously recovered from this around 30-32 as his muscle mass deteriorated due to age or possibly less manual labor on his job or his farm.
The type of work done to run a horse farm definitely results in a thickening of the lower back muscles.