I have slowly worked my way up to the 8 mile distance for my long runs. During my last three running workouts of a low intensity jog / walk combination I have experienced a huge muscle cramp in my right calf muscle. All three times the cramp has occurred just after the six mile distance.
After the first time this happened I thought it might be due to a lack of hydration, so I made sure to drink plenty of water before and during my next time out. Sure enough, at mile six the cramp came back and I had to suffer through it for the next two miles. Knowing that the hydration was not the culprit, I figured it was a lack of sodium in my system. Last night during my third run at this distance, the cramp came back to haunt me again.
If it is not hydration or sodium, then what could it be? These are not small cramps that go away. The calf remains sore for a couple days and remains hard as if I were flexing the muscle. Why is it happening at the same distance each time out?
If you have any ideas please let me know. I want to get this resolved as soon as possible so it does not negatively affect my training schedule.
After the first time this happened I thought it might be due to a lack of hydration, so I made sure to drink plenty of water before and during my next time out. Sure enough, at mile six the cramp came back and I had to suffer through it for the next two miles. Knowing that the hydration was not the culprit, I figured it was a lack of sodium in my system. Last night during my third run at this distance, the cramp came back to haunt me again.
If it is not hydration or sodium, then what could it be? These are not small cramps that go away. The calf remains sore for a couple days and remains hard as if I were flexing the muscle. Why is it happening at the same distance each time out?
If you have any ideas please let me know. I want to get this resolved as soon as possible so it does not negatively affect my training schedule.
3 comments:
I wonder if it is your shoes and/or your gait. Since you've ruled out what my first guess would be (hydration, elec), is it possible that it's time for new shoes? Have you been seen running by someone at your local (reputable) running store? That it's the same muscle repeatedly, it says to me that you are possibly overusing it or irritating it without knowing...until, that is, when you've gone enough miles. Also, have you considered orthotics? I know little about them (and have never used them before), but others swear by their magical powers.
Good luck! I was down and out with a pulled calf earlier this year and it sucked!
Some folks think stretching is important
My guess is shoes or just the size yours at and distance your at right now. Its normal to be experiencing these body issues when you increase volume and distance. make sure your shoes are right for you, like don't were pronatators if your neutral, etc.
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