Keep pulling my calf muscle when i run (reps)

[OC23]

seems like lately 50% everytime is start a run, my calf or calfs just end up getting pulled and i need to stop, stretch it out a bit, then keep running.

this has never happened to me before. anyone know why?

[Pazienxa]

do you do a dynamic warmup prior to running? a good dynamic warm up should have you sweating slightly as you finish and should consist of dynamic stretches, mobility work, and light static stretches of the hip flexors and other tight muscles, in your case, the calves.

another very common cause for cramping is the dehydration, you should be well hydrated at least 1 hour before you exercise and continously sipping water throughout the workout.

another reason is you have a lot of trigger points in the calves and you need to spend time messaging and foam rolling the area.

lot of other rreasons, but just thrwoing ideas from top of my head

[OC23]

nah i dont warm up to run, never had the need or thought i needed it

i do do dynamic warmups, some stretches before playing a sport though but i felt like running itself is kind of a warm up

i was well hydrated, but i did feel a bit of a cramp. i drank 2 water bottles over the course of my workout before doing my cardio

[gatovolador]

First off, if you get a pull you should rest it for two weeks, that's about how long it takes to recover properly.

Second, warm up by doing 10 minutes of easy jogging, then stretch a bit, and maybe do some drills- like high turnover or buttkicks, especially good if you can do this barefoot on grass.

Also, if you are pulling your calf muscles, this means you are running on your forefeet (good) but your calves aren't used to the motion (bad). Several ways to combat this:
1) run more on your heel (short-term solution), or alternate a minute one forefoot strike, one minute heel strike (or walk)
2) do calf exercises- my running coach demands lots of calf raises, every other day. I'm lazy, so I'm only up to maybe 3x40, 2x a week. Skipping rope is another option.

[OC23]

First off, if you get a pull you should rest it for two weeks, that's about how long it takes to recover properly.

Second, warm up by doing 10 minutes of easy jogging, then stretch a bit, and maybe do some drills- like high turnover or buttkicks, especially good if you can do this barefoot on grass.

Also, if you are pulling your calf muscles, this means you are running on your forefeet (good) but your calves aren't used to the motion (bad). Several ways to combat this:
1) run more on your heel (short-term solution), or alternate a minute one forefoot strike, one minute heel strike (or walk)
2) do calf exercises- my running coach demands lots of calf raises, every other day. I'm lazy, so I'm only up to maybe 3x40, 2x a week. Skipping rope is another option.

man i dunno my calves are kinda weak i think and they feel weak but their kinda big for me barely ever working them out i dont want big big calves

[Chubbs387]

Okay bro...First of all, warm up isn't your issue. I was a state-ranked runner in HS, now an exercise science student and I have never stretched for a regular run in my life (not counting workouts and races).

There are two muscles that make up the calf: The gastocnemius and the soleus. The gastrocnemius is the bulging calf muscle that you see when you flex, and the soleus is under and below it. The gastrocnemius is what you stretch when you typically stretch out your calves (ei. hands against a wall, leg back, etc.). To stretch the soleus (which you also need to do before running) you do the same stretch, but with the knee bent, so you feel it farther down (closer to your ankle).

If the gastrocnemius is the problem, you will feel pain in your mid to upper calf (sometimes even behind the knee) and when stretching calves with a straight leg. If the soleus is your problem, you will feel pain anywhere from the ankle to your mid calf, and it will feel kinda "underneath"...like a deeper pain. It will also hurt when doing calf stretches with a bent knee.

Either way, you really need to give it 2-3 weeks of rest from running, ice it daily, and cut out all un-needed physical activity that hurts it. You're not gonna get better any other way. And if you can, I'd recommend seeing a doc or a physical therapist so they can give you recovery stretches/exercises to get it back in commission.

[urdaddyishere]

i was well hydrated, but i did feel a bit of a cramp. i drank 2 water bottles over the course of my workout before doing my cardio

if i do weight training and then try to run, I always get cramps. Doesn't matter how much water I've consumed during the first part of my workout. If all I do is run, I never have any problems.

[Chubbs387]

hey where's my reps foo'?