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Showtime v. The Grinder... A story of my left v. right leg

thekidduxcthekidduxc
in General Training Discussions

That damn lazy, good for nothing, cheating left leg. Let me tell you!!!

Here is what I feel now:

  • My right leg (the grinder... Rocky Balboa if you will) has suffered various usage injuries over the last several years. 
  • Achilles tendentious and calf strains seem to be the norm. 
  • After all my runs my left leg (Showtime... Apollo Creed... no disrespect to the great champion but....) feels like a $1,000,000 and my right leg feels like $1.85.
  • I don't feel like my left leg is weak, but I wouldn't say he is working either.... at all... he's just enjoying the ride.
  • My right leg seems like it struggles and is doing twice the work.

Here is what I know:

  • I've had my leg lengths measured in the past. One leg is longer than the other but only by a nominal length. I don't remember which one but I've never had an ortho or PT say - holy sh*t!!! And I've had my fair share of PT back in college.
  • I've suffered multiple major muscle tears in my left ankle. I've been on crutches for over 8 weeks at least 3 times.
  • On the right side of my body, my hip/glute (all of it), quad, and calf are extremely tight and inflexible.
  • I take yoga once a week and stretch for 25 minutes after every wko.
  • I roll out my lower body at least 4 x a week.

Here's what happened recently:

  • I am coming off a very mild calf strain - guess which side?! 
  • I took about 3 weeks off from my marathon and entered the OS, I feel like I took too much speed too soon.
  • I've had about 4 runs since I've broke out of running jail.
  • My calf is 50/50 - there is a nasty knot but I am rolling it and just jogging so it is manageable.
  • I ran for 40' today where at the start of my run my R calf was sore and tender - but I started to focus on my L leg to ensure it was ENGAGED in the activity and my pain in my R calf diminished completely. I didn't feel it.

I'm wondering if other people have this issue? If so, what avenues have they gone down to improve the situation?

Comments

  • Mark HickmanMark Hickman
    I have no idea; but you have inspired me to name my pistons...will have to come up with something original.
  • Quailman28Quailman28
    I'd start with looking at your ankle range of motion on both sides, gastroc and soleus length, foot/knee/hip mechanics when running. Upstream checking glute med strength and endurance and eccentric quad control would all give you a pretty good picture of what is likely happening dynamically. A good PT or physio should be able to help you with most of that but I was say it is likely some muscle/motor control dysfunction resulting in some chronic overuse. Hope that helps
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