I've never had serious flexibility problems but this week my lower legs -- calves and anterior/medial areas -- have become terrribly knotted (swollen, really) and sore. They are so tight that my ankle flexibility is significantly constrained.
Stretching would seem to be the obvious solution, but it's had only tiny and fleeting effects so far. (I plan to keep doing it a few times a day.) I've iced/elevated after running on hard days, which helps temporarily. Anti-inflammatories have helped the most, but the tightness still keeps me awake for a long time after I go to bed.
I've increased mileage lately but not by a huge amount. Since the problem arose, I've continued to run. The affected muscles loosen only a little -- enough to get in the miles but only at a slowed pace and with noticeably greater effort.
Has anyone experienced this? Is it just a minor (if painful) flexibility problem, remediable by weeks of regular stretching, or is it something I should be more concerned about? Is it ok to train through it? I'll appreciate suggestions from those in the know.