Sharp Pain in My Calves After Running 1st Time

SloRose

Hi all,

I am no runner, but I gradually tried to start running on the treadmill. I began at running for 5 minutes only for two days, and then last night after the 5 minutes, I was feeling pretty good and was able to run for 22 minutes almost 2 miles (I know, slow, but I'm a beginner). After running I got off the treadmill and immediately started limping almost due to these sharp pains in my calves, I stretched them last night. But is it possible I run wrong? is this normal for a beginner? Is all I need to do is stretch them?

Thanks,

tameko2

Hi all,

I am no runner, but I gradually tried to start running on the treadmill. I began at running for 5 minutes only for two days, and then last night after the 5 minutes, I was feeling pretty good and was able to run for 22 minutes almost 2 miles (I know, slow, but I'm a beginner). After running I got off the treadmill and immediately started limping almost due to these sharp pains in my calves, I stretched them last night. But is it possible I run wrong? is this normal for a beginner? Is all I need to do is stretch them?

Thanks,

I'm reading this correctly .... did you run 3 days in a row after a lifetime of not running?

lizarddev

SloRose,
This will happen if you do not stretch before you run. Do things like crossover stretches and forward lunge in place to stretch the calves out. Always stretch before you run it helps in building and conditioning the muscles. I hope this helps

sjohnny

Hi all,

I am no runner, but I gradually tried to start running on the treadmill. I began at running for 5 minutes only for two days, and then last night after the 5 minutes, I was feeling pretty good and was able to run for 22 minutes almost 2 miles (I know, slow, but I'm a beginner). After running I got off the treadmill and immediately started limping almost due to these sharp pains in my calves, I stretched them last night. But is it possible I run wrong? is this normal for a beginner? Is all I need to do is stretch them?

Thanks,

I'm reading this correctly .... did you run 3 days in a row after a lifetime of not running?

And then quadrupled the time you were running from the 2nd to 3rd days?

DYELB

you increased your run by 540% and are wondering why you're sore?

SloRose

Yes, but the first two days was literally for only 5 short minutes at a slow pace.

SloRose

SloRose,
This will happen if you do not stretch before you run. Do things like crossover stretches and forward lunge in place to stretch the calves out. Always stretch before you run it helps in building and conditioning the muscles. I hope this helps

Thank you so much! I will do this next time, I appreciate it!

DYELB

Yes, but the first two days was literally for only 5 short minutes at a slow pace.

You increased your distance by 540%. Soreness is to be expected.

SloRose

you increased your run by 540% and are wondering why you're sore?

The reason it caught me off guard was because I was still running very slow and soft, it did not feel like it was going to have such a big impact.

SloRose

Thank you all!!

jmc0806

You could also not be drinking enough water, which can cause leg cramps

Jersey_Devil

foam roll and do some static stretching

jeffhayes6

Good Work on running! The calves are a big reason why we have the ability to run, so sore calves is not necessarily bad. I agree with stretching, but also just the use of those muscles in a new way will add to the soreness. How long did the soreness last? When you say sharp pain, do you mean a shooting pain like a cramp?

here is a good link to consider - http://www.runnersworld.com/stretching/how-stretch-your-calf-muscles

It may just take some time too. I promise if you stick with it, you will not regret it though.

angf0679

I'm not a runner, but am going to start (as soon as the weather gets better and I get some things I need)

I can recommend a couple few things of things

- there are several topics on here for beginner runners. Find them. Read them.
This is a great one: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/976388-what-to-do-before-you-start
- get yourself fitted and get a good pair of running sneakers
- find and download the app C25K. It eases your into it.

Granville_Cocteau

Trail runner here with previous calf issues. Could be a few things:

(1) You've just started running and pushed it too far, too fast.
(2) Warm up and engage in dynamic stretching before the run, which is to say, before the run, do 5 mins. on the bike, or walking, and then give your calves, quads, etc. small 2-3 second stretches to put your legs through the range of motion. A few lunges and knee lifts before also doesn't hurt.
(3) Insufficient calf strength.
(4) Not to be overlooked: Shoes. Get yourself fitted--different foot styles require different kinds of support. Those with flat/mild arches generally need a more supportive shoe, though going neutral doesn't hurt so long as you ease into it.

msthang444

SHOES!!!!
When I started running in October, I had the same thing. I went to a shoe store and got fitted and it made alllll the difference in the world. Also, be careful not to tie laces too tight.

sjohnny

Zebras! Zebras everywhere!

SloRose

Good Work on running! The calves are a big reason why we have the ability to run, so sore calves is not necessarily bad. I agree with stretching, but also just the use of those muscles in a new way will add to the soreness. How long did the soreness last? When you say sharp pain, do you mean a shooting pain like a cramp?

here is a good link to consider - http://www.runnersworld.com/stretching/how-stretch-your-calf-muscles

It may just take some time too. I promise if you stick with it, you will not regret it though.

Thank you so much! the sharp pain was like a shooting pain all over the back of my calves. It began immediately after I got off the treadmill, I stretched them after, went to bed and this morning it's just a dull pain that is tolerable. Thank you for the link!

I really enjoy running now (even though its only been three times) but I used to be scared of running! Thanks for the motivation to keep going!

AmyRhubarb

Too much too soon. Start slowly, I mean S L O W L Y! Find a c25k program or app, there are tons of freebies out there. Three days a week, intervals of running/walking, gradually building you up to 30 minutes/5k over about 9 weeks. Made a runner out of me at the age of 43, after a lifetime of avoiding running at all costs. And I competed it without any injuries or shin splints or overwhelming soreness. Two years later, I'm still running and loving it.

Take the time to ease into it and do it right, it's worth it.

skippygirlsmom

, I was feeling pretty good and was able to run for 22 minutes almost 2 miles (I know, slow, but I'm a beginner). Thanks,

BTW 2 miles in 22 minutes is an 11 min mile, that isn't exactly slow. Even if it wasn't quite 2 miles, you were still running at like a 12 min mile pace...again not slow.

SloRose

Trail runner here with previous calf issues. Could be a few things:

(1) You've just started running and pushed it too far, too fast.
(2) Warm up and engage in dynamic stretching before the run, which is to say, before the run, do 5 mins. on the bike, or walking, and then give your calves, quads, etc. small 2-3 second stretches to put your legs through the range of motion. A few lunges and knee lifts before also doesn't hurt.
(3) Insufficient calf strength.
(4) Not to be overlooked: Shoes. Get yourself fitted--different foot styles require different kinds of support. Those with flat/mild arches generally need a more supportive shoe, though going neutral doesn't hurt so long as you ease into it.

All good points, thank you, I will see if my shoes are right for me, I have flat feet.

SloRose

, I was feeling pretty good and was able to run for 22 minutes almost 2 miles (I know, slow, but I'm a beginner). Thanks,

BTW 2 miles in 22 minutes is an 11 min mile, that isn't exactly slow. Even if it wasn't quite 2 miles, you were still running at like a 12 min mile pace...again not slow.

The majority of runners I've ever talked to are able to run a mile in between 7-9 minutes, so I thought I was slow.

Dancing_Laeti

I'm not a runner at all, but I managed to tear a muscle in my calf once dancing the Viennese Waltz, of all things!
But if the pain doesn't go away, then that might be another thing to look at. I wouldn't run for the next couple of days.

ninerbuff

Unconditioned and then taking on the immediate load of a moderate runner would lead to this. Rest a day in between till you build up to it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

skippygirlsmom

[\quote]

The majority of runners I've ever talked to are able to run a mile in between 7-9 minutes, so I thought I was slow.
[/quote]

Read this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1229398-confession-i-m-a-slow-runner

SloRose

[\quote]

The majority of runners I've ever talked to are able to run a mile in between 7-9 minutes, so I thought I was slow.

Read this:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1229398-confession-i-m-a-slow-runner
[/quote]

Thank you for sharing that

kristy6ward

For new runners, I've always heard it said, always take a rest (no running) day between runs and don't increase your distance more than 10% in a week. This advice served me well. Now that I've been running for over a year, I can run more often with no problems, if the consecutive runs are of moderate distance that is.

PS. I'm only just now getting up to a 10-10:30 pace, but mostly after around 11 if I'm going to a relaxed run.

jofjltncb6

Very early in your running endeavor as an admitted beginning runner, you suddenly increased your mileage by almost 600%, experienced some pain, and are wondering what you did wrong?

Just making sure I understand the question here.

The answer is almost certainly that you tried doing too much too soon too long. I should know, because I've used that training approach many times in my life for a mandatory 1-4 month "break" from exercise as I recover. It's a *horrible* program for making consistent progress. My advice is to stop using this approach and instead adopt a more calculated and reasonable progression...in running and in anything else you do physically.

No_Finish_Line

i'm sure this is not you but i want to vent lol

I tore/sprained my calf muscle last sunday. pretty bad too. I have been doing insanity and a pretty hard floor for quite some time, but was basically new to running. ran a mile, got sore. I was doing ok but kept pushing with out fully recovering from DOMS (which was not an issue in my teens lol). i could feel a jagged pain suddenly in my upper most gastromous (or however you spell that). should have stopped immediately but i did not.

i've torn this particular muscle pretty bad in middle school, sprained it many times after.

its like a 'thing' for me so i would expect that you serriously injured yourself...and you'd know it if you did.

but make sure you rest adaquetly

No_Finish_Line

i did two miles in like 18:45 before things blew up tho lol