Calf pain when jogging

iamashoppingaddict

Hi

I've just finished week 3 of c25k this morning and I'm enjoying it. I'm training for the race for life which is at the beginning of September. I'm training on a treadmill at home.

I did the c25k before but stopped when I got to week 6! I did have some mild calf pain then but nothing mega. I couldn't (and still can't!) afford fancy trainers but I did use a gait thingy at Sports Direct. You stood on a mat and then how you stood indicated what type of trainer you'd need. I've got quite flat feet apparently! So I bought a suitable trainer type from that. And at the time it seemed to help a lot.

Anyway the calf pain I'm getting now is quite bad. It is quite painful when I'm running, once I've cooled down it goes away.

At the moment, I don't have a penny to my name really. I'm planning some selling over the weekend but that needs to pay for the dentist on Monday. Bloody broken tooth!

Anyway, any suggestions that don't involve new trainers gratefully received! I am slightly over weight if that makes a difference.

jaybeetoo

Try the C25k forum https://healthunlocked.com/couchto5k

donglemouse

are you doing any sort of warm up before you run? e.g. stretching the calf area

if you aren't that might be worth a try to see if it helps along with perhaps a 5 minute walk before you start your c25k session - just to try to get everything lubricated

on your non c25k days again perhaps practice a few stretching exercises and see if that helps strengthen the area

also make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids before & after

these might not help but they are easy things to try out to see if they give you any relief

is it both calves or just the one?

iamashoppingaddict

Hi

yes I am, I'm using an app and there is a 5 min warm up before it launches into the run/walk etc.

Towards the end of the warm up I pause and then do some stretches before carrying on. I also stretch again at the end.

I have a bottle of water that I drink from throughout.

Both calves sadly.

lindens

i had exactly the same and was told i had flat feet. i went to a specialist who made me insoles for my trainers and its loads better. they were more expensive than the trainers though,about £100

iamashoppingaddict

lindens wrote: »

i had exactly the same and was told i had flat feet. i went to a specialist who made me insoles for my trainers and its loads better. they were more expensive than the trainers though,about £100

Urgh that's what I think I have.

I simply can't afford that.

Sedge123

I'm flat footed and doing the same running schedule. I found that I had to modify my running style and concentrate on putting my heel down first and then rolling my foot down, also made sure my posture was more upright.

Lizling

Sedge123 wrote: »

I'm flat footed and doing the same running schedule. I found that I had to modify my running style and concentrate on putting my heel down first and then rolling my foot down, also made sure my posture was more upright.

Concentrating on putting your heel down first is a near certain way to overstride. That's no good for your joints or your speed. Upright is good though. Upright and light.

If orthotics aren't an option, I'd consider breaking down your running sessions into 2 parts e.g. do half in the morning and half in the evening with a warm up and cool down for each. You'll get the same benefit but less stress on your body because you won't be running when tired. Does take more time though.

Jemima09

Have you considered getting a foam roller and using that as part of your cool down to make sure you're properly stretched out? Think they're only a tenner in argos. I use one for my hip/IT band pain and it's really helped.

iamashoppingaddict

Thanks for your comments all. I did week 4 run 1 this morning and it wasn't as bad as it was last week. I've been making a point of stretching my calf muscles at random intervals over the weekend so whether that has helped I don't know.

I do have a foam roller but I don't have the upper body strength to hold myself up to roll to get the maximum benefit for my calf muscles. Are there any modifications I could do?

iamashoppingaddict

Well wk4r2 was completed this morning and I was nearly in tears at the end. My calves are still sore now actually.

I really want to do this but I don't know what to do to make it better!!!