Sponge

- 210lbs - 6'3"
- Generally within the first mile
- outside varies, on a treadmill at 1.0 generally
- clearly not a cramp pain
- according to the Nike thing in my Ipod I am generally around a 10 min mile... main reason to get pain away damn it I am slow!

Got my orthodics today...boy oh boy do they feel weird, my feet were quite tired by the end of the day.

Sponge

To add to the above running outside is generally what kills me...

revolator

Running outside vs treadmill is normally harder. If it's definitely beyond a cramp pain, you should really monitor it closely, and back off when that level of pain occurs.
Have you ever been able to run over a mile w/o calve pain in the past?

If it's serious, see an orthopedic to get an professional opinion. If it's injured, you will need to rest it at least 2-6 weeks to get an idea, but the doctor would be the best person to speak on this.

But here's something you can try if it's not that serious yet.
Goal reduce time and stress on calve, by reducing the time, pace and stress. Get calve use to easy load, and slowly increment.

Run on flat paths, inclines put more stress on calves.
- rest calve 1 week
- run for only 5 minutes at easy pace (stop if pain occurs)
- Do this run on 3 separate days for the same 5 min at easy pace. 3 runs x 5 min (easy)
- if no pain on last 3 runs then increment by 2 minutes, and do 3 more runs: 3 runs x 7min (easy)
- rinse and repeat on the 2 minute increment or stop when pain occurs

Sponge

I have been to an orthopedic he prescribed me orthopedics shoe inserts and to come back in a month...in an early post I describe all of it.

What you describe on how to approach getting back into is spot on with what I am doing. I took the last two weeks off and I did a powerwalk on the tread mill for 10 minutes today. No pain the orthodics are killing me though...can't wait to break them in. Plan to keep easing into in small increments and pace as you describe.

Thanks for the feedback...go back to see the orthopedic in two weeks.

revolator

Let me know how effective the inserts are? I think they should help overall, but I'm not sure how much the inserts will directly address the calve pain during running.

The 10 minute power walk is a good indicator that
1. no injury or not a serious injury
2. may be just a stress issue, and if you keep increment small, your body will adjust.

Going to the orthopedic and podiatrist may open a new set of questions =).

mds0725

Here's a helpful website: www.heelspurs.com. Yeah, heel pain is not calf pain, but this guy's theory is that what's often diagnosed as heel spurs is usually plantar fasciitis and that plantar fasciitis is caused by (and is often just another symptom of) tight calves. For me, nothing worked as well as massage. Marathoner and running guru Jeff Galloway (www.jeffgalloway.com) says the worst thing one can do to muscles that are already tight is stretch them more because it just stresses them more with the problem they already have. Massage works on the knots that makes them tight and draws blood to the area, which helps with healing. See if you can find a sports masseuse who specializes in cyclists, runners and triathloners. Good luck!

revolator

No arguments with your comments. What really works well for tight calves

lbishop

Just came across this thread and whilst reading through was surprised no one was mentioning massage... i semi-regularly rub down with plain old baby oil after a run but also give a HUGE vote for the stick - it works wonders although it can be a bit uncomfortable when you're not used to listening to your muscles tell you to "take it easy with that damn stick buddy" ;-)

It's probably just the motion of actually giving the muscles a rub that is of the most benefit...

Lewis.