Help from experienced joggers

[DumbleDee]

Hi all. Started jogging at the start of March. Very overweight and relatively unfit. I can now run 1.5 miles without walking. I originally did this as part of a sponsorship but will continue as I've come to enjoy it.
However
I have a recurring problem in my right calf. I've experienced a pulled muscle in the middle of my calf but the pain moves. My son who's v sporty thought it may be the soleus sp? Or Achilles.

I warm up. Stretch. Do calf stretches. Walk for the first minute or so. Have decent trainers. What am I doing wrong?

go to running shop and get decent trainers, and support socks.

i ran full marathon on no training and was a complete couch spud but good trainers so me through

Hi I had gait analysis done at ASICS and got some trainers then. I didn't know about the support socks so will have a gander. Thanks x

How did you manage a full marathon on no training? 😳👍

Warm up with a walk but not stretches. Stretch after your run.

I would suggest a physio trip, doctor can refer you, or quite often you can get a free consultation to start.

Well done on starting running too!

You could try adding something like weekly Pilates to your training, to add strength/flexibility.

Also, check your stride. Are you actually running level, or do you favour one side? Suck in your core, check your hips are straight, think about evenness of footfall and that your shoulders are loose and level.

I get more injuries in cold weather. So think about whether you are in the right clothing, are taking first part of your run very steady. You could consider adding calf sleeves. Or getting compression running tights.

Thank you all. Am about to have a go warming up no stretches. Committed to do 31 miles in March for the BHF dechox. So no chocolate so far and 2.4 miles left to do 👍

Try stretching every day for a couple of weeks, that might resolve it.

Stretch after a run, not before. It wouldn't be achilles in your calf, it's probably just 'tight' as your body is just getting used to weight bearing exercise so a sports massage would probably do the trick!

You def need the right trainers, but don't fall for someone over selling benefits of specific gaits, 9/10 a neutral and slightly cushioned shoe is enough!

My physio advises stretching before exercise for tight calves (as well as after).

i have no idea! i signed up with good intentions and then before i knew it, it was d-day, i'd done any training and i hate the gym!!! thought i might as well give it a shot.... 6hrs and 26.2 miles later i crosses the finish line!

thought i might as well give it a shot.... 6hrs and 26.2 miles later i crosses the finish line!
So you walked most of it?

I would suggest doing some strength training OP

Thanks again all. Need to do 0.8 m today to complete my target and get my sponsor money. Will then rest it for a few days and do some stretching give it time to heal.
It's quite addictive isn't it?

Next target is to get to 5k runs by the end of May 😬 so I'll go and see a physio too.

Sounds like a plan!

Could I suggest that when you return to running, you use the C25K approach? It's graduated, so you build up both strength and stamina, and that is likely to help you avoid further injury. You could start part way through, to build on your progress so far, so there should be plenty of time to 'graduate' by the end of May

I ran the first 13 miles in 2.6hrs, by that point my knees where giving up, i walked 7 miles and then jogged the end 6ish. considering i had done zero training, i was impressed with myself, i was not the last and far from it

@AuntieStella will do and thanks x

@Pinkpants, with no training that is amazing!
I'm thinking that you are one of those very robust people who has a naturally high level of fitness?
Were you very athletic as a youngster?

Get your feet measured in a shop. They'll check for pronation and gait analysis. Also they will be able to advise on your technique. And put you in touch with a specialist if need be. You'll probably run on treadmill and they'll record it and analyse.

Also get yourself a foam roller and YouTube how to roll out- Ashley Borden has a good 15 minute video.

Well done and good luck 😉

@ohfortuna. Nope, i was really overweight! i can't stress enough how much i hate the gym. I'm very headstrong, had decent music and just kept going. I didn't do it for any charity, just my own sense of achievement, i cried my eyes out at the end and is one of my proudest days.

i wished i enjoyed running enough to keep it up. Whilst i'm running i hate it, but when i get to the end i'm like Awhooopp!

I'm not super experienced but I've been running relatively seriously since January and I'm now training for a half marathon.

I would say the first thing is to make sure you have rest days- I usually run/exercise 3-5 times a week but I try to avoid doing more than 3 days hard impact in one go as I think this when injuries start to happen.

Make sure you stretch after your run, and if you're trying a longer distance for the first time, I find it helpful to stop at the midpoint and do a few quick leg stretches is a good idea too especially if any muscles have started aching.

I don't really do specific strength work on my legs, but did have some muscle there to start with as I did general gym work and lots of walking and horse riding before I started running. I still do a bit of resistance work on the bike/cross trainer as well as running. If you don't really have much in the way of leg muscles I'd consider doing some work to strengthen these and your core as well.

If you are running on trails/uneven terrain be extra careful- especially if you're putting sideways stress on your feet (e.g. running across a hill) or jolting your legs (e.g. by running down steps).

Even if you're not aiming for a race, it might be an idea to find a training plan (there are lots of beginner-10k ones out there) which gives you built in rest days etc. Also, come and join us on the running thread- everyone there is very welcoming and helpful and gives great advice!

Done a few half marathons on no training (at 2 hours ish) but a marathon would kill me - well done!!

I also have tight calves - tons of stretching is my answer! Daily even when not running. I seem to have a predisposition to tight ligaments and am as flexible as a rock so I have to be pretty careful when jogging.

Agree with rest days being important too. Look at how you run as well - I found a big improvement with a shorter ‘trotting’ kind of style more on my toes (I’m sure there’s a name for this) than heavy landing on heels.

I completed my challenge did 31 miles in the month. Calf tight still so having a break from jogging for a few days and am doing a bit of cycling. X