Returning to jogging - Can I ignore sore calf?

[gingerbubs]

Hi, looking for a bit of advice from experienced runners/joggers please. Over the last few weeks I've been trying to get back into jogging. I started C25k at about week 5, though got stuck on the 2x10 min for a while. Couple of weeks ago I pushed past that and am just up to the 30 min jog/5 km point. Have been going out every 2-3 days. I'm a slow jogger, today took me 35min to do 5km.
For the last week or 2 I've had a niggle in one calf most of the time. It's not especially worse when I'm jogging. Wouldn't say it's painful, just a bit achy, though does seem to be in one particular spot.
My questions are firstly if I should be ok to ignore this and keep increasing my jogging, providing it doesn't get any worse. And secondly any recommendations for getting it better? I appreciate that folk can't give medical advice but just looking for recommendations based on experience.
Thanks

Gentle bump 😊

It could be shin splints, Google it to see if the description of the pain rings true. I definitely wouldn't run past this pain. If it is shin splints you need to increase your running time much more slowly.

Please don’t ignore it, I did that and managed to rupture my Achilles’ tendon.... which has now led to chronic plantar fasciitis which simply will not shift.

Which bit of your calf? Front or back?

Thank you for replies.
I don't think it's shin splints. Have had similar pains to shin splints before and it's nothing like that. It feels like it's right in the bulkier bit of the calf muscle posteriorly. Doesn't feel anywhere near my Achilles, which I appreciate doesn't rule that out. It just feels a bit weird. I've never been a proper runner but have take it up a few times over the years, and never had this before! But very much niggle rather than pain. I've had plantar fasciitis a few years back Mawbags, though not for very long, but you have my sympathy. I remember it being really bloody sore!

I'd probably just carry on, but I'm old and full of niggly pains 😃 But that's probably poor advice.

I was a physio in a previous life. I would probably take a couple of days off, apply some heat and do some stretches. Then have a couple of days taking it a bit easier. It’s probably just a bit tight from your exercise rather than a specific injury but I definitely wouldn’t just ignore it.

Are you varying your running route?

Wel done on you C5k progress btw 👍🏼

Thanks both. I'm not really varying my route much, am a creature of habit 😄. If anything it's a little better today after longest jog yet yesterday 🤔. So I think I will cautiously ignore but will bear in mind the advice above if it gets worse again. Thank you!

Oh, as an aside, I noticed when o was doing the same route loads before that I was running on the cambered edge of the road more particularly one way, and so leaning out and got some twinges. I started just yo be aware of staying as flat as possible.

I asked about the route for exactly the reason @mascotte said. Even if you only do it in reverse, it will be better for your body as you won’t be stressing your joints etc in exactly the same way every time.

Good tip, Thank you! Will try the opposite way a couple of times and see if the other calf gets sore 😆

I'm prone to tight, knotted calves. It doesn't matter what I do, it just flares up very regularly.

A hot bath then some oil and massaging it is good for easing them out. Second place to my current non-option of sports massage.
Magnesium oil is helpful for tired muscles too.