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mad calf!!!

So I had to bag this morning's quality long run mid-workout because of a mad upper right calf.  I was stooopid and did the bike intervals yesterday at the gym on thier bike and not mine.  Of course that bike is not going to fit me because I am don't fall into the average size range.  But I've digressed.  How do I best take care of a muscle that is most likely pulled?  Or, how can I tell super sore vs. pulled or does it even matter?  I am so bummed!  

Comments

  • Foam roll that baby. Check out Leigh's website and look for a vid. www.athletestreatingathletes.com

    No high heels either.
  • Hey Julia-

    Super sore versus pulled does matter, but it doesn't change the treatment either. You need to loosen up the muscle and allow it to heal. This can be done through a combination of foam rolling, stretching, ice and compression. The foam roller stuff is easy and like Vince said, I've got some videos and details up under the self massage series on my website (go to the body map tab at top and click on the calf- a little box will pop up- choose massage). I've also got some stretching instructions under the runners knee treatment post (look on the left in the categories section).

    You want to roll the area every day, following by gentle stretching (this should NOT hurt; it's only goal is to keep the muscle from tightening up again). Ice after 10-15 minutes and if you've got a compression sock/sleeve- now is the time to break it out.

    Another option is to set up a few sports massages and let someone else dig it out. If you don't know anyone in your area, ask around your training buddies. Someone is bound to know somebody.

  • i just went through this for 5 months! i had a recurring muscle strain in the mid calf. 15 weeks from IM AZ I was biking fine but hadnt run more than 4 miles! i would rest a week, reinjure.

    Finally i went to a sports doc who actually didnt think it was bad, just debilitating. Sent me for PT and prescribed 4 weeks rest. seems to have worked. I am now running and building at a very slow pace (which seems to help)

    I did a HIM a week and a half ago, and planned to execute the run as a walk run. in the later miles, i could feel when i tried jogging (yes, the dreaded J word) that if i took one more running step, the calf would pop... so i walked, demoralizing, yes. but necessary for the big pic...

    i highly reccomend seeing a sports doc, getting PT, doing the exercises they prescribe as prescribed and before you know it, you will be back on track!

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