Does anyone else get pain in their calves after doing a run and do you know why?

1. 69

   Anthony Binksposted 12 years ago

   Does anyone else get pain in their calves after doing a run and do you know why?
   
   Everytime I go for a run my calves are killing the next day, I have new runners which have been broke in so I can't figure out why. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?

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2. 81

   dailytop10posted 12 years ago

   We share the same experience every time I run with new shoes and follow a rougher course than my usual.

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      Anthony Binksposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I can understand the new shoes as you have to bed them in but it is still happening months down the line. If you find a solution will you let me know please dailytop10. Thanks for your comment.

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3. 73

   jeffduffposted 12 years ago

   When i used to run (back in the day), I used to get painful calf spasms a few hours after I finished my run.  Eventually, my family doctor suggested that it may be due to a shortage of potassium (lost during sweating, etc.). He suggested that I eat a banana or two, every day after I want running. Problem solved!
   
   You might want to try it, just to see ...can't hurt to try. Bananas are high in potassium, otherwise you could take a potassium supplement.

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      Anthony Binksposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I am going to give that a go jeffduff, I do sweat a lot when exercising so you might have hit the nail on the head. Thanks very much.

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   number2sonposted 12 years ago

   I think it often comes from tightness.  I have a lot of experience with that, in fact, that might be why I am not as fast as I should be.  Also, it could come from your running form.  If you are doing something slightly off, it could cause pain.  Another thing it could be, is until you are used to running that distance, you will often get pain and tightness in your calves after you run.  There are many things that it could be, and I have probably experienced a lot, if not most of them.  It could also come from prior injuries.  I seriously sprained my right ankle while running, when I was (I think) 13, and now every so often, I have pain there when I am running.  So, in conclusion, there are many possible reasons why you have pain in your calves after you run.

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   1. 69

      Anthony Binksposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It does fell like the sort of muscle tightness you would get if you just started back after a couple of weeks out but this seems to happen all the time after running and it takes a few days to disappear, Thanks for your answer number2son.

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      number2sonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      How long have you been running this distance?

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      Anthony Binksposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Realistically this is my fifth time running it and about a week and half in between runs.

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      number2sonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That explains it.  Your body is still not used to that distance, and with how long in between each time, it will probably take longer for your body to get used to it, than if you did it more often.

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5. 66

   lupineposted 12 years ago

   Anthony - It may be due to poor circulation in your feet/legs. Try putting your feet/legs up for a while, see if it helps. Another thing you might try, for better circulation and better running form, are "compression socks" made especially for this...they are worn by professional althlete's too. See their website: Medi. They are sold here in medical stores, but can be very costly, about $72.(US) I have worn them and they work very well, very comfortable, legs/ankles/feet, feel good, help keep your feet dryer too.

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      Anthony Binksposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks lupine.
      I have seen other runners with them and never really knew why, sort of thought they were for keeping heat in..... shows you how much I know.

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      lupineposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Anthony - These special socks are woven by computerized technology, they actually massage your feet/legs with each step you take.

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      number2sonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Kind of a cool concept.

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