Lower leg tightness

newmom_2012
newmom_2012 Posts: 96 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just finished c25k on Friday. I'm not running 5k yet, but I'll get there. The last week or so my calves have been tight, so I've been doing lots of stretching. I noticed after my run yesterday morning (2 miles at 12:30 pace) my left calf was especially tight, and on the outside of my left shin it was even tighter, almost like a dull pain running about 3 inches up and down the side of my leg. The back of my calf is mildly sore if I flex my ankle. It's not bad enough to prevent me from doing anything, but feels like I could make it worse if I pushed too hard.

I don't want to make it worse, but I don't want to unnecessarily skip runs. I'm trying to figure out if it's normal soreness or the beginning of a bigger problem. Any suggestions? I was thinking I would walk tomorrow instead of run and see how that feels.

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Stretch more.... rest a couple of days, see if that helps.

    Hang your heel off a step for a really good stretch.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Congrats on C25K. I finished it a couple months ago, but I'm not to a full 5K yet either.
    Walking for a few days sounds good.
    How do you warm up? I do about 30 squats and 20 lunges per leg as part of my warm up. This helps things to loosen up. The back of calf issue could be the Achilles and you want to be careful with that. Take shorter strides and run a bit slower.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Stretch more.... rest a couple of days, see if that helps.

    Hang your heel off a step for a really good stretch.

    This! Ease into it and hold it for 30 - 60 seconds but don't bounce! I see so many people bouncing when they stretch. That can lead to a tear or other injury.
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    Stretch. Make sure you're drinking enough water and eating enough potassium.
    And more stretching.
  • EmmaJHare78
    EmmaJHare78 Posts: 10 Member
    Definitely do not try to run through it. I suffer from tight calf muscles and a couple of years ago I ended up with a heel stress fracture from running and ignoring the calf twinges. Make sure you warm up properly and try foam rolling as well as stretches after your run. I stopped having issues by doing that plus yoga once a week.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    stretch your calf-

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSzCfi0wbcA

    and if you can get your hands on one of these or these, go to town.
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    Also check your shoes. Are the old and worn? Are they the proper ones for your feet (have you been to a real running store)?
  • newmom_2012
    newmom_2012 Posts: 96 Member
    dewd2 wrote: »
    Also check your shoes. Are the old and worn? Are they the proper ones for your feet (have you been to a real running store)?

    My shoes are approaching the end of their life cycle. I was hoping to make it through the summer but I might need to just bite the bullet and get new ones now.

    I'll definitely try the stretches that have been mentioned.

Categories