Running

Check your shoes. Are they old? Replace them. Are they brand new? Maybe they need to be broken in a bit.

Three things initially come to my mind knowing absolutely nothing about you.

Warm up and stretch before your actual run (I tend to walk the km to the park down the street from my place so my muscles are warm, do some dynamic stretches, then head on out) and remember to stretch (static) after your runs as well.

If you're just getting back into running, you're probably using old shoes that need to be replaced. New shoes might completely solve your issue.

Or, pick up a foam roller and roll those calves out! I started back into running after an ankle injury and had the pain you were talking about simply because I'd been so limited in the stretches I could do for a few months.

Deep tissue massage also helps. Calf pain is pretty common for runners, even experienced ones. Also, hopefully you are not using zero drop shoes. They work for some people, but they also get a lot of people hurt, and usually that is in the calf region

I had the same issue. I found that new shoes with more or less support, will help as well as keeping at it, little by little. Baby steps are crucial! I went to a New Balance store and talked to the staff. They were helpful and showed me a few options. I also learned to pace myself and do a mix of walking and jogging with LOADS of stretching before and after (with ice and ibuprofen if needed). Good luck!

365andstillalive wrote: »

Three things initially come to my mind knowing absolutely nothing about you.

Warm up and stretch before your actual run (I tend to walk the km to the park down the street from my place so my muscles are warm, do some dynamic stretches, then head on out) and remember to stretch (static) after your runs as well.

If you're just getting back into running, you're probably using old shoes that need to be replaced. New shoes might completely solve your issue.

Or, pick up a foam roller and roll those calves out! I started back into running after an ankle injury and had the pain you were talking about simply because I'd been so limited in the stretches I could do for a few months.

Definitely all of this!

May need more electrolytes (Sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium).

I run... A lot. I'm currently training for a half. Several things come to mind. It could be any of them, none of them or all of them. I don't profess to be an expert by any means...

Even if your shoes fit comfortably, they may not be the right shoes for you and how you run. Get fitted at a running store. Pay a little extra for the shoes. Take your current shoes with you. They'll look at the wear on them, watch how you walk, run, etc. Most will even let you try shoes and bring them back (yes, even used) for 30 days.

Make sure you're stretching before and after you run. A lot of people are great at the before the run or the after the run, but not both.

Drink plenty of water. Cramps can come from lack of hydration (but you're not running great distances at this point, so not as likely).

Walk before you run. If you've not run in a long time, walk some before you run and after. Or take a few steps back and just walk for a few weeks.

Foam rollers do help or massages (you can massage your own calves)

Consider yoga, strength training, other cardio to help your body on non running days. It works the muscles differently from running, can help improve your overall fitness level, etc.

Go slower. No matter how slow you run, you're still running and you're still better than every single person sitting on the couch saying that they can't do it.

Don't quit... Keep trying and keep working. Every runner had to start some time. And the one thing I know is no matter when you start, you can become a great runner if you want to.

Running stores are also great places to meet runners, learn more tricks and tips, get support, advice, etc.

Most likely cause is trying to do too much, too soon. What is your fitness level, how much can you comfortably run, etc?

Sretching, yoga and a foam roller (research self myofascial release) as well as staying hydrated with an electrolyte drink will all help stop cramping.