Hello runners. First post in here, and I’ve got a question for you (yeah only turns up when he wants something, take, take, take
)
Background first, I’m 54, started jogging ten years ago when I started feeling my general level of fitness begin to deteriorate and wanted something easy to help slow it down. Been reasonably successful with that plan over the last decade, not doing loads of miles but running between 5-10k roughly twice a week. A mix of flat paths/pavements and some more hilly trails.
When I first started running, I used to stretch my calves before I set off, until one run when I felt one of them ‘go’ with a sharp pain that put me out of action for a couple of weeks. I’m fairly tall and have always had tight calves so was worried it might stop my new plan before it even got going. Mentioned this to someone in the pub and they told me to stop stretching BEFORE my runs, and try either running a bit to warm up the muscles, then stopping for a gentle calf stretch, or just stretching after a run.
Took his advice, and it worked. Gradually over time my calves seems to get stronger (still just as tight in the mornings but okay on runs) so I ended up not stretching before or during, and very little after. Basically run, then get on with my day.
Now it’s started happening again. About 6 months ago felt that sharp pain again. Stopped immediately and walked home and tried again a few weeks later, and twanged it again. Rested it for a good month and all good for a while, but now it’s gone again. I don’t want to stop running, but need to stop this happening. Worried it’s just age! But not prepared to give up just yet. See plenty older than me still running.
Was the fella in the pub right about not stretching before a run?
Anyone else suffer from this? If so, any advice about calf stretching / calf injury prevention in general would be greatly received.
Cheers.