I think I've done things right. Followed the 10% rule, stretched after each run, slowed my pace to not increase mileage and speed at the same time, taking extra calcium and vitamin D along with regular vitamins, and ugh, my calf is still killing me.
Will try not to turn this into a pity-party post, I promise, but I need to get this out. Sunday's run was only 12.5k, took 2 full days off and went out for a short run tonight, and it was tough. Legs felt like logs, shins burning, left calf tight with a few sharp pains. My biggest fear... it's the same leg as the stress fractures. Is it my body warning me, is it taper madness playing games with me? I'm not feeling very confident right now. I have pressed all along the tibia, can't find a single sore spot... a tell-tale sign which I did have before. It feels more muscular than bone, more in the back of the leg; in the calf. It's a tight feeling, and no stretch I do, and I've been doing a lot, seems to release it. Been rolling, icing, stretching, anything I can think of, but my thoughts turn to fear given my previous injuries.
I can walk perfectly fine, walking up and down the stairs feels normal, can stand on either leg, jump up and down, no pain, no limping, nothing. Even while running, it's just there, tight, but there. I'm just so scared to make things worse.
Tonight I ran in a bit of a different area while Terron was in karate. This may have been the first time I seriously considered meat-punching someone. This dude comes out onto the sidewalk facing me... and starts dodging side to side as I'm running towards him, even though I was all the way over to the right. I gave a little half-smile, but as I got closer, he said, "Oh ya.... nothing better than a girl with t!ts running towards me." It took everything for me not to turn around... and according to this, he was definitely in the red zone.
Then, back at the karate club, I started stretching out outside, starting with the calf. Arms against a wall, back leg out straight. An elderly gentleman is walking past me using a cane. He says "who's stronger right now, you or the wall" I almost cried. I replied telling him that at this moment the wall was, but should we happen to cross paths in 2 weeks, I hope to tell him that I knocked down that wall. Feels like even though I'm not in the actual marathon yet, the proverbial "wall" is already rearing it's ugly head, putting me to an ultimate challenge.Are calf issues the newest pandemic, perhaps contagious through the running blogosphere! Seriously, I've been reading of so many others lately with calf and other lower leg aches, pains, etc. Can we get a vaccine for this shiz?
My sports doc is not available until the day after my marathon, which I've already booked; his wife is having a baby in the next few days, so I can't even be mad. lol I went for an H2O massage this evening, and will be calling tomorrow to see if someone else is available in the clinic in the meantime to see if I can get this leg loosened up.
Trying to stay positive, and I can't even lie and tell you it's working. I'm so discouraged. sigh.
37 comments:
Do you think it would help to take a couple of weeks off from running? It sounds like you're very pro-active with everything you're doing. I just keep thinking that a little rest might do you some good.
Take care.
Don't feel bad about taking it easy. Your as ready as you're going to be. You can't really do yourself any good by pushing it hard right now. You're much better off just staying loose with short, easy runs.
Don't stop running altogether before the marathon, but never, ever, ever, ever underestimate the power of fresh legs.
guys can be such d?cks. If you can hop around and do various other things with no problems than it's probably just a phantom pain. These things tend to develop during the taper. But check with a sports doc to make sure.
I can't believe that bleeping jerk said that to you. Makes me so mad!!
I'm so sorry your calf is worrying you. Check with your doc, run a little and rest a lot. Hang in there!
Oh, you should have kicked that guy in the shin!!!
I don't know about the calf stuff. I would try to rest as much as possible and just run easy before the big day.
Melanie, for what it's worth...several years back, we were living in Eugene, OR and my wife paid for me to go through Joe Henderson's marathon clinic (prepping for a local marathon). It was a dream - I'd read "Joe Henderson's Journal" in Runners World since high school and here I am getting coached by him. Several weeks into the training and I sustain a foot injury from - can you believe it - how I laced my shoes. I was out of the running for a marathon, having to be in an air cast for 6 weeks. I had put so much of me in that race - I had lost sight of why I was running to begin with. Joe provided solace in saying, "Do what you can, don't do what you can't, and don't let what you can't do define who you are." I never ran that marathon, but a little over a year later - after a move across country to Maine - I ran my first marathon.
Get in what you can. Do what you can do at Mississauga. Just don't let what you can't do define who you are. Mark
I'm no expert in the area of what you should do regarding your calf. It sounds like you're doing everything right. I hope you can get in to see a different doctor before the race.
As for Big-T!t Guy's extremely crude comment... that would have pissed me off too!! But it's good you didn't do or say anything to him. You just never know what people will do these days.
What an absolute moron that guy is!
Mel, I am so sorry you are going through this. You have been doing so well. You seem to have more tightness than pain in your calf...so why don't you lay off running for a week, just go for long walks, and maybe cross train? My legs felt like cr@p the last couple of weeks before taper, during marathon training too...maybe they're just trying to adjust to the heavy mileage and the long runs. Feel better, dear. And I don't mean to sound zen-like, but this too shall pass!!!
I can NOT believe that @$$hole said that. That's a definite red in the meat-punch range!
Take it easy with your calf. The bulk of the mileage is behind you, so rest the leg & cross train.
Good luck!
Man, of you do find that calf pain vaccine, send some my way!
Remember that there's nice shame in a slow and smart marathon. Stop an stretch as you need too - better to be slowed down than out of it for longer later. It gives you more time to soak up the race, say thanks to volunteers, high five kids - make it a good experience!
We're all routing for you!
Ok, here's the deal. First, forget the sexist idiot. He probably drives a porche, and uses viagra. Second, don't panic during a taper. Over the last 20 years I've realized when I taper after a lot of training, strange, little pesty pains rear their ugly heads. I've learned this is just the body's way of coming up for a breath to remind you that, yes, you're still human. These annoying pains are usually buried under the daily dose of endorphins your pituitary glands releases when running a lot. Endorphins are stronger pain killers than morphine, but they are natural. When you slow your training down, these natural pain killers fade and the little aches and pains take their place. So, I suggest you a) keep on running but at a relaxed pace and limited milage, b) ice, elevate and apply trameel and c) accept the pain as normal and, unless it really hurts when you run, don't let it hold you back. If it really hurts when you run, then back off on the running and get on a bike. Also, drink tons of water. I've found my chronic injuries rear up much more so when I'm dehydrated. Good luck and rock it!
instead of swine flu we all have the calf flu! the only thing that helped me in the end was my PT, the massage, the infrared, the e-stem and the ultrasound. lots of stretching. so sorry you're having problems, i hope you heal up soon.
what a flippin ass. they are everywhere though.
it's taper time, take it easy on the runs. you've put the training in to this point and missing a couple to rest isn't going to hurt you on M-day. Rest, ice, and stretch - you're almost there! If you are super concerned is there anyone else you can see in a pinch just to ease the mind?
All will go your way on the big day. It's time to just let it be and when the day comes, it will be time to run! You will be posting a great post race report as we all will be!
Smile and hold your head up ready to take on the world!
Well, I can't really add to what everyone else said, especially Will. You've gotten lots of great advice. Hang in there, follow everyone's advice, and remember that some men are pigs and DESERVE to get the swine flu! I hope the jack*ass that made the rude comment to you is vomiting at this moment! :-)
Sounds like you ran into a Nob Head of your own...!
I can't add much Mel except to let you know I'll be thinking of you and sending you "happy calf vibes" across the seas.
You've done all the prep. Your body will make the right decision for you xx
I hope you can get through this without injury - I know how much it means to you!! Is there anyone in your area that does active tissue release/active release techniques? That REALLY helped me!
On another note, thanks to your last post, I purchased Nutella last night for the first time ever. Um, YUMMMMMM!!!! Thanks - I am now hooked!!!!
sounds like you are taking all the right steps. has it been feeling any better at all? mine are tight/sore at the beginning of a run but then loosen up and feel ok. then they are sore again after the run when i stretch them out. maybe a massage or some of that a.r.t stuff would help? (never had art, so i dunno if it would or not)
that guy totally deserved a swift kick in the nuts. why did you hold back? ;)
I'm sorry about your leg, I really hope it is nothing serious! I cannot believe that guy actually said that. That is so rude, what nerve!!
WHAT AN A$$HOLE !!! You should have kick right up to his BALLS. Who knows? That would have taken care of your calf right there !!! Shhhhessh, I wish I was there and I would have taken care of this for you. This pisses me off !!!
Think positive and I just emailed you an lengthly one. By all means, use the tapering time to relax. It could be the phantom pain. Just remember the two options that I should outlined for you. *wink*
grrrr to the rude comment running guy. what a loser!!
i'm guessing you'll be stronger than the wall when the time comes
rest up. chin up. best wishes for calf healing.
calf issues are usually a matter of form/stride when you get into the kinds of milage you are putting up. put some more miles on the bike, it will keep your endurance up, and strengthen the balanced muscles to help your calf. just my 2 cents. i might need a kick in the balls like that other asshole.
I can't believe that jackass said that to you. I would have punched him, for sure.
I hope your calf feels better soon - you've already trained for the mileage, so don't feel bad about resting now before the marathon.
I think you've got a case of taper madness, Mel. Try not to let your brain get in the way because you're so ready.
Besides, you're gonna kick that wall's butt!
I see taper madness has gotten ahold of you. My bet is that you are fine. Taking two full days off is probably the reason you had a tough run the next time. Your legs probably felt really 'stale', right? That's why I tell people to never take the two full days off before a big race. You end up feeling like that at the beginning of the race. Better to do a short, easy run the day before the race. I think you will be fine and you are going to have a great race!
I was going to suggest seeing if someone can fit you in to maybe loosen your legs up. Hopefully, it is at least partially taper madness. Sounds like a good sign that you can't find a sore spot, you can walk/jump/etc. just fine. My fingers are crossed that it starts to feel better with extra rest during your taper.
As for that meat head, what a ^$&%! Loser...
What is wrong w/ men? Did he think that was a good pick up line. What a loser.
I am nervous even posting a comment for fear that I will catch your Bloggy Calf Virus...LOL...you are funny!
YOu are one tough cookie, you will make it through!!
I totally would have taken the guy out, I mean REALLY?? What year is it buddy?
What a jerk! I think I would have had to accidentally on purpose meat punched him.
Hope the calf thing loosens up.
I cant believe he said that! Thats something you read but never believe, what an a$$ hole.
Sending good vibes your way for fast healing!
I like Will's advice. I'm thinking it's also taper madness. I had weird pains as well. Like pains that I never even encountered before LOL
I'd be sooooo peeved at that idiot incident but you did the right thing. He probably would've just fed off of anything you could've said/done.
Oh, now that's just not cool. The guy, the calf. That just all sucks.
I'd say try to get some more rest, an extra couple of days isn't going to hurt you..
Outta my way, raulgonemobile! I wanna be beneath Teh Marcy!1!
I can't believe Teh Marcy didn't tell you to PUNCH THAT GUY IN THE FACE too!1! Because it goes without saying that he earned a meat punch at the VERY least. But he also should have gotten some facial damage too.
Furthermore, you should've said, "Ha ha, that's funny. I'd meat punch you but ...WHERE'S THE BEEF?!1?"
I think you should take it somewhat easy between now and the marry, sistre, because then, if the pain is a real one, you'll at least know you're not making it worse.
Feel bettre!
hang in there girl! i hope its just a little taper madness talking.
Two dudes that definitely deserved a meat punch AND a punch in the face!!! GAH! a$$holes...
hmmmm the calf. I got nothin' could be the taper, but (lord help me) I agree with Glaven that taking it easy might be a good idea. I took about 4 days off before the 1/2 Mary and felt great. You're in the shape you're in...a few days of rest won't matter.
Hang in there. I think it's taper madness; I get pains like that all the time and they always seem to work out.
Good luck!
Hang in there. You're doing all you can. Good luck!
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