Running/calves soreness/different shoes

RenewedRunner

So I switched from Asics Nimbus (wore them for 7 years) to Saucony Triumph. The shoes feel fine, not foot mechanical issues but my calves hurt. Every run. I run on the street-sore calves. I run on trails-sore calves. It is really impacting my mileage increase as my legs feel sore all the time. I warm up and cool down-quarter mile each. I don't wear high heels very often to work. I am not increasing too fast. My routes all have hills but doesnt seem hilly enough to justify the soreness.

So starting to wonder if it is the difference in the heel drop. Asics is 11.5 whereas Saucony is 8. Would this account for the soreness???

Duck_Puddle

I had the same problem switching from asics to saucony (different models but a 12 to 8mm drop). It took about a month for the soreness to go away, but it did eventually.

troy0

I think it would be a factor, definitely. You'll get used to it, you can get some heel inserts if it bothers you too much but the lower drop is worth getting used to.
I went from a 12mm drop to a 4mm drop in some trail shoes a while back and had the same thing for about a month, it passes once your calf muscles adjust.

1capybara

i dunno about the shoes, but try stretching b4, in the middle, and after running. google calf stretching.

KeithAngilly

Going to a lower drop will definitely result in sore calves, but in my newbyish opinion, you'll end up with better results if you can work through it without injuring yourself. I run in zero drop shoes, and while it took a while (months) to adjust, I feel the results have been worth it. After adjusting to them, I went for a run once in a a pair asic gels (13 mm drop) and it was the worst 10 miles I have run to this point. I felt like my running stride was short changed of power.

1capybara

how do u figure heel drop? (arch height - heel height) = heel drop ?
measured inside the shoe or outside it?
and where would i find a zero heel drop shoe?

jacksonpt

Heel drop could very definitely be the cause.

KeithAngilly

how do u figure heel drop? (arch height - heel height) = heel drop ?
measured inside the shoe or outside it?
and where would i find a zero heel drop shoe?

Check out http://www.runningwarehouse.com/ The drop will be in the specs of the shoes. I have purchased a few pairs of shoes from them and have had very good luck. No stake in the company...just a happy customer. )

Drop equals the difference between the heel stack height and the toe stack height. Very minimal shoes are zero drop by design, but there are also very cushioned zero drop shoes, as well. BTW, I am not advocating this for everyone. It works for a sample of one, the one being me.

RenewedRunner

I bought them to try to start working my way towards a more minimalist shoe. But holy calf fire, it is definitely taking some getting used to!!

Thanks everyone. My little obsessive brain is freaking out about being sore and having the runs be so painful. I am hoping it will subside soon.

Looks like maybe a month and then I should be pretty much adjusted??

RenewedRunner

how do u figure heel drop? (arch height - heel height) = heel drop ?
measured inside the shoe or outside it?
and where would i find a zero heel drop shoe?

Check out http://www.runningwarehouse.com/ The drop will be in the specs of the shoes. I have purchased a few pairs of shoes from them and have had very good luck. No stake in the company...just a happy customer. )

Drop equals the difference between the heel stack height and the toe stack height. Very minimal shoes are zero drop by design, but there are also very cushioned zero drop shoes, as well. BTW, I am not advocating this for everyone. It works for a sample of one, the one being me.

My husband runs in minimalist and his back pain has pretty gone away. I am trying just because I think that the Nimbus design has contributed to my heel strike problems and hoping to get of the heels and stop wasting my energy. I want to run my first marathon next October so I don't need anything dragging me down (haha punny)

KeithAngilly

how do u figure heel drop? (arch height - heel height) = heel drop ?
measured inside the shoe or outside it?
and where would i find a zero heel drop shoe?

Check out http://www.runningwarehouse.com/ The drop will be in the specs of the shoes. I have purchased a few pairs of shoes from them and have had very good luck. No stake in the company...just a happy customer. )

Drop equals the difference between the heel stack height and the toe stack height. Very minimal shoes are zero drop by design, but there are also very cushioned zero drop shoes, as well. BTW, I am not advocating this for everyone. It works for a sample of one, the one being me.

My husband runs in minimalist and his back pain has pretty gone away. I am trying just because I think that the Nimbus design has contributed to my heel strike problems and hoping to get of the heels and stop wasting my energy. I want to run my first marathon next October so I don't need anything dragging me down (haha punny)

The real issue is where the ankle is in relation the knee as the forward foot contacts the ground. The ankle shouldn't be past the knee. The point on the foot that first touches the ground seems to be less important, whether it's the heel, mid - foot or fore - foot, at least from what I have read. I agree this is easier to accomplish with lower drop shoes and to me, it feels so much stronger. I have a couple pair of truly minimalist shoes that I like to mix in on short runs once in a while. But, my body isn't quite ready to full boat on that yet. My main shoe is the Saucony Virrata. The price is right and they have some cushioning without being overly "squishy". They are very light and zero drop.

Check out this very short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h53UTHVCc7g

What is instructive to me is that when the runner's front foot is striking the ground it is a:) already moving to the rear and b:) at the moment of contact, the ankle is even or behind a vertical line with the knee. What point of the foot hits the ground will vary pretty widely and less important to me. I actually find it seems to vary based on the level of effort I am putting in, if that makes any sense.

One thing people say to me when I mention running is "isn't all that pounding bad for you knees?" My answer is the only time I ever feel a sensation of "pounding" is running down a hill.


Anyway, I think you are the right track! Good luck!

ayalowich

So I switched from Asics Nimbus (wore them for 7 years) to Saucony Triumph. The shoes feel fine, not foot mechanical issues but my calves hurt. Every run. I run on the street-sore calves. I run on trails-sore calves. It is really impacting my mileage increase as my legs feel sore all the time. I warm up and cool down-quarter mile each. I don't wear high heels very often to work. I am not increasing too fast. My routes all have hills but doesnt seem hilly enough to justify the soreness.

So starting to wonder if it is the difference in the heel drop. Asics is 11.5 whereas Saucony is 8. Would this account for the soreness???

Yes, When I switched from traditional running shoes to Newton's I was warned about calf/soleus issues and that definitely was a problem for a few months. I ended up with calf sleeves which helped, even though they look hideous and eventually was able to ween myself off them. I run in a 8mm shoe (Ride 6) and a 12 mm (pegasus 29) and seem to be doing fine.

I also tried switching running styles to the Newton 'Natural' thing but gave up because it wasn't fun and didn't really provide any measurable benefit. The thing i like about running is the simplicity of it so happy to be back just doing what feels good.