Sore Calves

[jruck37]

I've been running pretty consistently over the last couple years, but every now and then I have problems with lactic build-up in my calves. Typically, I stretch pretty good before running. However, I never do any warm-up excercises. Within the 1st mile or two, my calves start burning.

For example, last night I went to run 5 miles. After the 1st mile, my calves were burning. I stopped to stretch them, but they really gave me a hard time throughout the rest of my run. From what I've read, I think it is due to a lack of warming up. This would make sense to me since it usually happens in cold weather and not so much during the spring and summer. It's weird because I've run 1/2 Marathons without any issues. For some reason, my calves seem to randomly give me fits from time to time.

Anyway, for those that warm up before running, what is your typical routine? If you have any excercises that specifically work to loosen up the calves, I'd love to hear them, too.

Thanks,

Jamie

[BamaDave]

Jamie,

I've had calf problems as well and used to stretch them well before runs. Then someone suggested NOT stretching them. Since I quit, I've had far fewer problems. Same with achilles tendonitis - less frequent without stretching. The only pre-run stretching I now do is quads and hams. Stretching my quads before and after a run seems to have helped some mild knee tendonitis.

I think "warming up" is probably optimal for running -- starting out fairly slow and gradually increasing pace. Some people also do strides (short bursts of fast running).

Did you check into our thread about a JPF running event?? You are right in the general area we have been talking about for a race!

[jruck37]

Thanks, Dave. I might try out not stretching the calves. It couldn't be much worse!

As for warming up, I have noticed that I tend to shoot out of the gates a little too fast sometimes. Maybe I'll try to concentrate on keeping my pace down for the 1st couple miles.