HUGE NSV and a question

2moonNback
2moonNback Posts: 61 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
This past Saturday I completed my first 5K! It was such an amazing experience. I started training in May weighing 226 lbs and barely able to run 2 minutes at a time. Where I run in mostly an uphill grade and come race day I was running 3 miles 3 times a week. The 5K course was super hilly and a couple of the hills were extremely steep one of them was towards the end of the race and I ended up walking up most of the hill. But when I got to the top I started running and pushing hard to finish the race strong. I am hooked! I have already registered for two more races! Here is my question, since the race when I run my calves hurt when I run. The two times I have run this week I have only got in a mile and a half and I quit because I don't want to injure myself. Part of me feels like I should try to push it and see how I do with a three mile run and another part of me says no don't do it, you could hurt yourself. What should I do?

Replies

  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    First of all, congratulations on completing your first (of many) 5K!!! I completed my first in 2009 and I literally cried like a baby at the finish line. It's such a great accomplishment especially when you never saw yourself as a "runner".

    To answer your question, I'm so afraid of getting injured and having it seriously derail my progress so I tend to take the conservative side when feeling pain. I got a stress fracture in my foot from running and instead of letting it heal properly I kept running on it and made it worse. I couldn't even walk for a few days, and couldn't run on it without pain for about a month. I think if both of your calf muscles hurt, they're probably just really sore from those hills and pushing yourself harder than normal, but I would still take it easy so you don't pull anything and risk being completely out. Maybe do walk/run intervals every other day for now til the pain goes away?

    Good luck and take it easy!! :)
  • 2moonNback
    2moonNback Posts: 61 Member
    Thank you so much!
  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    How exactly do they hurt? What sort of pain is it?
  • 2moonNback
    2moonNback Posts: 61 Member
    How exactly do they hurt? What sort of pain is it?

    A really strong ache....
  • TonyPDizzle
    TonyPDizzle Posts: 1
    Types of Injuries
    Several types of running injuries are caused by tight calf muscles. According to Dr. Cathy Fieseler, in an article for "Running Times," one of the most common causes of calf pain while running is muscle strain, meaning that you may experience a partial to complete tear of the muscle, resulting in severe pain. Two other possible causes are a muscle cramp due to fatigue and overexertion or a vascular problem caused by muscle swelling, resulting in a constriction of blood flow to your calves. Other possible causes of calf pain include shin splints, a condition caused by tight calf muscles, resulting in pain in your calves or the front of your lower leg.

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    Symptoms
    One of the most common symptoms of a calf injury is pain that starts as a dull ache or mild sensation and gradually becomes worse with exercise. You may also experience continuous pain while you run and for several hours after your workout, feelings of tenderness or inflammation, evidenced by swollen calf muscles, difficulty standing on your toes, and sensations of sluggishness or stiffness that may disappear after your muscles are properly warmed up.

    Prevention
    Cultivating flexibility and developing lower leg strength are two key ways that you can prevent calf injuries, according to Fieseler. Implement a strength-training routine on days when you don't run and stretch your muscles both before and after your workout. One simple stretch for your calf muscles is the wall pushup. Stand about 3 feet from a wall. Rest your palms on the wall and bend your elbows, keeping your feet flat on the floor. You should feel a beneficial stretch along the backs of your calves.

    Treatment
    Calf injuries are treated with combination of methods commonly referred to as PRICE --- protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation. Your doctor or physical therapist may suggest a calf brace or splint to protect the muscle during the healing process. In the first few days of recovery, you should rest the muscle and avoid any activities that cause strain or pain. During the first 24 to 72 hours, ice should be applied up to five times daily for a period of up to 20 minutes. Compression by using a leg wrap or brace can prevent or reduce inflammation. Elevate your leg by keeping your heel higher than your heart.



    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/438138-my-calf-muscles-are-hurting-from-running/#ixzz252FXW6gc
  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    are you warming up and stretching before you run?
  • 2moonNback
    2moonNback Posts: 61 Member
    are you warming up and stretching before you run?
    Yes
  • 2moonNback
    2moonNback Posts: 61 Member
    Types of Injuries
    Several types of running injuries are caused by tight calf muscles. According to Dr. Cathy Fieseler, in an article for "Running Times," one of the most common causes of calf pain while running is muscle strain, meaning that you may experience a partial to complete tear of the muscle, resulting in severe pain. Two other possible causes are a muscle cramp due to fatigue and overexertion or a vascular problem caused by muscle swelling, resulting in a constriction of blood flow to your calves. Other possible causes of calf pain include shin splints, a condition caused by tight calf muscles, resulting in pain in your calves or the front of your lower leg.

    (5) Signs Of Bi Polar The (5) Symptoms Of Bi Polar Will Shock You. See The Causes Now! Bi-Polar-Test.FamilyVirtue.com
    Sponsored Links
    Symptoms
    One of the most common symptoms of a calf injury is pain that starts as a dull ache or mild sensation and gradually becomes worse with exercise. You may also experience continuous pain while you run and for several hours after your workout, feelings of tenderness or inflammation, evidenced by swollen calf muscles, difficulty standing on your toes, and sensations of sluggishness or stiffness that may disappear after your muscles are properly warmed up.

    Prevention
    Cultivating flexibility and developing lower leg strength are two key ways that you can prevent calf injuries, according to Fieseler. Implement a strength-training routine on days when you don't run and stretch your muscles both before and after your workout. One simple stretch for your calf muscles is the wall pushup. Stand about 3 feet from a wall. Rest your palms on the wall and bend your elbows, keeping your feet flat on the floor. You should feel a beneficial stretch along the backs of your calves.

    Treatment
    Calf injuries are treated with combination of methods commonly referred to as PRICE --- protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation. Your doctor or physical therapist may suggest a calf brace or splint to protect the muscle during the healing process. In the first few days of recovery, you should rest the muscle and avoid any activities that cause strain or pain. During the first 24 to 72 hours, ice should be applied up to five times daily for a period of up to 20 minutes. Compression by using a leg wrap or brace can prevent or reduce inflammation. Elevate your leg by keeping your heel higher than your heart.



    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/438138-my-calf-muscles-are-hurting-from-running/#ixzz252FXW6gc

    Thanks for the good info Tony!:smile:

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