Hey, I strained my calf shortly after my conference meet. I took a couple days off. Calf was feeling better so I just ran for like 4 miles today and had to stop. I"ve been icing it> Should I try a workout before regionals? Should I stop running if any pain occurs in the leg? What should I do? If I feel it when I'm racing, will I be able to push through the pain if it's still there? Were looking to qualify for nats btw and I'm our 4-5th guy...
There are varying degrees of strains. Even for a grade 1, best case, you probably need at least 4-5 days off as a start...the "book" says a week.
I just came back from one (I've had several) and just barely got away with 5 days off and then a week to return to full volume. If you tried to run and it went again, it verifies that it was a strain, not just a cramp, and you need to start the clock over.
If you try to run through it, it will continue to cause damage. How much damage and is it worth it is up to you.
Good luck!
ncaaregionalsrunner wrote: Should I stop running if any pain occurs in the leg? What should I do? If I feel it when I'm racing, will I be able to push through the pain if it's still there? Were looking to qualify for nats btw and I'm our 4-5th guy...
Doesn't your school have an athletic trainer who can advise you?
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I would run only gently on it. If it is going to blow out, it will blow out during the work out and you'd be screwed. Better to let it heal to the fullest extent possible and see if it will pull through at regionals.
Also, visualize your race many, many times in full detail as this is thought to maintain some sharpness while not being able to do hard workouts.
so how much would I lose over 8-10k distance from now til reginals if i did not run?
It's probably trigger points. If you know the trigger points, you can massage those babies out and be good to go the next day.
Go to a medical supply store and get a pair of Bio-skins for calf strain. Measure your calf and get the recommended size on the back of the box. The sleeves are hard to get on but they really help support a lot