Calf muscles question..

missferoux
missferoux Posts: 118 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all,

Just a bit of quick advice needed. I decided (in my infinite wisdom) that on days I can't go to the gym, I will skip (or jump rope for all the americans!) in the kitchen. So on saturday evening, I plugged in my music and started to skip with the rope. After 2 mins I thought I was going to die. But got passed it and completed 20 mins. Was happy, but knackered.

Sunday was a lovely frosted morning, went for a 5k run.

Now my calves are absolutely killing!!! I think it's the rope, as when I go on the ball of my feet it KILLS....I am not sure if I stretched enough like I normally do before and after running as I didn't think it would be so intense. (Yes I am thick!)

My question is, do I still have a light run tonight (it's my weights night) and do weights, or do I rest completely? My shoulder is tense and sore when my arm lifts over my head too. So all you fitness guru's - do I work through it, or rest?

Thanks in advance!!!

Replies

  • m_shuman
    m_shuman Posts: 179
    Give your legs at least a day to recover. Focus on your arms tonight only and skip the run. The first burning sensation you felt in the beginning of jumping rope was lactic acid. What you feel now is DOMS (Delayed onset muscle soreness.) What causes it is micro tears in your muscles and sometimes overstretching a muscle can cause it.

    Michele
    Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor and Certified Spin Instructor
  • missferoux
    missferoux Posts: 118 Member
    Thank you for your reply! I am genuinely unsure whether to miss everything but gentle stretches as my shoulder is hurting too, and with me being slightly addicted at the moment, the thought of injuring myself is not a happy thought!! Now you've suggested that working through it is a bad idea, I might make today my rest day :sad:
  • m_shuman
    m_shuman Posts: 179
    Yes, take a rest day. It is important to give your body a chance to heal and recover. As for your shoulder is it muscle pain or something else. One way to tell if it is DOMS is if you do not move the muscle you will not feel the pain. If you still feel pain when your shoulder is at rest then you should get it checked out.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    If it's just muscle pain I work through it. Usually once you warm the muscle up it stops hurting as much and it often actually helps to reduce the pain.
  • Coltsman4ever
    Coltsman4ever Posts: 602 Member
    The pain you're feeling is most likely completely normal. Like m_shuman said, when you work out, muscle tears and as it repairs itself this is what builds more muscle.
    Like the old saying goes... no pain, no gain!
    Resting your muscles is just as, if not more important than the actual workout. Rest days are when your muscles are actually growing and you're getting stronger. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    If you're just sore and not in pain, I'd do the light run or at the very least take a long walk. I usually get pretty good DOMS a day or two after I work my legs and I've found that a run actually helps lessen it. Just make sure you stretch good and do keep it light.
  • 1sisrat
    1sisrat Posts: 267 Member
    I'd do a light run or brisk walk... too much stillness right after the workouts will cause the muscles to be more sore from lactic acid build up. It will get the blood flowing and stretch you out. Remember, drink lots of water!
  • m_shuman
    m_shuman Posts: 179
    I'd do a light run or brisk walk... too much stillness right after the workouts will cause the muscles to be more sore from lactic acid build up. It will get the blood flowing and stretch you out. Remember, drink lots of water!

    DOMS is not caused from Lactic acid. Lactic acid causes the burning sensation and muscle fatigue you feel when lifting weights or exercising but it is not responsible for pain felt a day after a workout. Lactic acid is gone from your muscles about an hour after the workout.
  • missferoux
    missferoux Posts: 118 Member
    Thanks all for your replies. I haven't got to the gym as ended up working late and had to pick up my daughter. Will do some good stretching and light cardio later I think x
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    Thank you for your reply! I am genuinely unsure whether to miss everything but gentle stretches as my shoulder is hurting too, and with me being slightly addicted at the moment, the thought of injuring myself is not a happy thought!! Now you've suggested that working through it is a bad idea, I might make today my rest day :sad:

    You can probably work up to this but you might have overdone it a bit this first time. Add in a few minutes skipping and gradually increase the time. Your muscles will get used to it. For now take it easy if you're super sore and do some really light cardio, walking, stretching, etc and you'll feel better in no time.
  • derekj222
    derekj222 Posts: 370 Member
    Skip the run, try riding the bike instead see how much that bothers you. Usually you don't use your calves as much cycling.
  • FitBeto
    FitBeto Posts: 2,121 Member
    All you need to know in one pic

    Bison%20calf.jpg
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Depends on what kind of pain it is. I work through DOMS, work around or take time off from an injury.

    If you're not experienced enough to know the difference, the safest thing to do is rest.

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