Running: muscle pull help please...

alipene

Hi

A month ago I set myself a challenge to run a half marathon in March. I'm 51, I'm not and never have been a runner so I'm starting from scratch. I bought a beginners half marathon book which has a 14 week training plan in it, but until I start that (November) I've been advised to prepare for running with the couch to 5k programme which starts off with 30 sec run/walk intervals.

Before anything, I went to a running shop, had my gait assessed and was fitted with Mitzuno running shoes for slight pronation, more so in my left foot. I also make a point of warming up and down / stretching appropriately. The last thing I want is an injury!

My problem is that I keep pulling the soleus muscle in my left calf and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I don't understand why it's only in one leg. It had crossed my mind that if I have new shoes that are trying to counteract a slight pronation, could the muscle pull be a result of being used differently and will it eventually go away? When I look down at my feet when walking, jogging or running they don't fall exactly the same way. my left seems to 'wobble' a little more, but my husband say his are the same and I know we're not completely symmetrical. Consequently, I've only been using the treadmill at 4kph (2.5mph) which is really only a slow jog, for damage limitation.

When I feel it pull/hurt I stop immediately and try to stretch it a little but I don't carry on. If I feel it tighten and feel a bit uncomfortable I don't know whether to stop or carry on and jog through it

Any ideas? I'm really keen to get on with this but can't really get started. Thank you

BrianSharpe

Here's a little reading that may help:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--11637-0,00.html

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/strengthening-calf-muscles

and a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSeQdvzehcU

I used to have symptoms that mimicked PF and found when I'm more diligent about strength training (calf raises in particular) that the problem resolves itself .

Also check out hip & glute strength as imbalances in these can manifest themselves in unexpected ways.

alipene

Thank you Brian. Very interesting. I'm fortunate enough to have a multi-gym in the garage so I'll be making use of it for calf raises I think!

awesomek001

I've also heard that if you stop, tap your toe for a short time to release your calves you can actually continue on. Don't know if that helps out, but . . .

I am also going to check out Brian's link - since I have tight calves too and struggle with this, although not to the point of pulled muscles.

alipene

Thank you 'awsome' I'll give it a go

12lucky12

i did my first half this year i did enjoy it but i just wanted to completed it i wasnst looking for a good time however i did it in 2 30 which was good as it was a very hot day
i did have a painful calf at the beining of my training and went for a legsport massage which helped now i aways streach out before and after
i still go out about 3times a week and jog 3 to 6 miles
if i can do a half maratonre at 51 one i only started run at 50 run 8 miles the first time after 12 weeks of training

alipene

Hey that's encouraging 12lucky12! You did so well! Thank you! I had to give a time when I made my entry and had no idea what to put. I ended up putting 3 hours, so if I manage anything under that I'll be really happy :laugh: . Like you, my aim (at the moment) is to finish it rather than aim for a good time. I have moments when I wonder if I'll ever manage it because I can't seem to get the training going without hurting myself. But then it's a challenge isn't it! My mind is SO ready but my body's not :noway: I've definitely learned the importance of stretching. I just hope it's not going to be an ongoing thing.