Problems with legs during running.

[tbarnes37236]

I've googled a lot about this but I wanted some opinions from here, judging my google I know this is asked and talked about a lot. I use to run before I got pregnant recently. I even ran till I was 6 months. I had my baby in January and by this month I was hoping to already be back on track but instead I got stuck on a plateau and couldn't lose anything. We downloaded the MyFitnessPal and oh my god, I have been losing sooo much weight now just from measuring food correctly and eating under my calorie intake (1200)

I like running, I loved the time I have to myself. I choose to run to and from my tanning salon, because it is something I know I will do everyday no matter what (tan) so why not run there. 1.5 miles there and back. Problem is, I CAN'T run anymore My legs hurt sooooo much when I do. Mainly the back of my calves, its excruciating! Boyfriend says to stretch more so I have been and I have been drinking even more water and still doesn't help. It is like my calves and ankles stiffen up and feel heavy and give up underneath me. I eventually end up doing a brisk walk and my calves still end up hurting. I have always had what I feel are massive calves. Super muscular. When I was smaller I swore they were bigger than my thighs ha. It feels like there is no room in my skin for them and it wants to explode!

and advice?

[PunkyCindy]

I don't know if this could be your issue, but I have found 2 reasons for me to have calf pain in the past. Dehydration and low potassium.

[karoline8]

I don`t know if this could be the issue but I know for myself that the shoes I wear affect my calves almost immediately into a run. I run between 40-65 miles a week, have been running for 8yrs and if I wear shoes that are not sutiable will get all kinds of pains in my calves.

[foresail]

^^^ Both of the above. Other potential causes: insufficient caloric intake; insufficient carb intake; micronutrient imbalance (potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, etc); poor blood circulation in legs; deconditioned muscles; fractured bone. There are probably others.

Try to rule in or rule out what the reason(s) may be from potential causes mentioned here and in your research. If you can’t figure it out, see a doctor.

[megdaig]

I had the same issue in high school, felt like a permanent Charlie Horse in both my calves. Mine was due to anemia from not eating enough protein (and calories in general) and excessive exercise from softball conditioning and practices.

Eating below 1200 is way too low for pretty much anyone. You should focus on getting more protein (assuming you aren't getting at least 100 grams), iron, and potassium. Go for bananas and pickles, those always seemed to help me.

[gbullock32]

Almost sounds like shin splints; those wrecked me until I rested my legs for a few months (muscle tears along my tibia took forever to get better) and started doing more lower leg exercises to build calf/tibialis anterior. That solved my problems entirely.
For good lower leg exercises check the link.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=121250931

[LunicaAshes]

With your calories so drastically low, it could be a lack of any number of things. You need to look at the sticky in the nutrition section and figure out what you need to be eating for your calories and macros.

What was your weight before? If it's much higher now, it could be that some defect with your form that you were able to get away with when you were lighter is now causing problems.

[kd7nfr]

Bananas, protein, and try some new shoes. Make sure they're the right ones for your foots.

[pinklush]

If you're going to be running and working out, it sounds like you're not consuming the necessary calories that your body needs. I feel stiff, achy and like my muscles are exhausted when I become too anemic. Eating foods high in iron and potassium and making sure I'm well-hydrated usually solves the problem for me.

Also what the above posters stated about finding the right shoe. Feet sometimes change during pregnancy and don't go back. I went to a running clinic when I decided to get back into running and finding the perfect shoe for my feet has been invaluable.

[ziesha001]

avoid water after food ...

[NightShiftMedic]

Bananas, protein, and try some new shoes. Make sure they're the right ones for your foots.

This is it, most likely. Also maybe you started up again too fast after taking three months off for your baby. I don't think it's shin splints, these would cause excruciating pain on the front of your legs, not your calf muscle. Good luck to you.

[Yanimac]

I agree with the above posts about calorie intake; 1200 cals is too low! I'm a Pre and Postnatal Fitness Specialist with 2 kids under 5 and Im also a runner. You have to factor in a lot of things when you get back into running. If you wore your shoes during pregnancy, and exercised with them, they break down quicker with the extra weight gained and the body changes in pregnancy. You're feet change in pregnancy so you may be a different size. Go to a running store and have them fit you.

If you're breastfeeding you're losing a lot of nutrients to feed baby and breastfeeding is dehydrating so even if you are taking in more water than normal, its probably still not enough. Also, if you're breastfeeding you are still producing relaxin which is the hormone that allowes your body to shift to make room for baby, so you have to listen to your body. Its hard as a runner to have to start back at square 1, but start slowly and build up to where you were. With my last pregnancy (shes almost 3 now) I ran a half marathon at 16 weeks and after she was born I was right back at buildng up from 5km. Don't rush it; you'll get there. Once a runner, always a runner!

[tbarnes37236]

I agree with the above posts about calorie intake; 1200 cals is too low! I'm a Pre and Postnatal Fitness Specialist with 2 kids under 5 and Im also a runner. You have to factor in a lot of things when you get back into running. If you wore your shoes during pregnancy, and exercised with them, they break down quicker with the extra weight gained and the body changes in pregnancy. You're feet change in pregnancy so you may be a different size. Go to a running store and have them fit you.

If you're breastfeeding you're losing a lot of nutrients to feed baby and breastfeeding is dehydrating so even if you are taking in more water than normal, its probably still not enough. Also, if you're breastfeeding you are still producing relaxin which is the hormone that allowes your body to shift to make room for baby, so you have to listen to your body. Its hard as a runner to have to start back at square 1, but start slowly and build up to where you were. With my last pregnancy (shes almost 3 now) I ran a half marathon at 16 weeks and after she was born I was right back at buildng up from 5km. Don't rush it; you'll get there. Once a runner, always a runner!

yea i wore the same shoes all through pregnancy but i was also running through most of it. My boyfriend agrees he thinks I need better shoes, new ones. As for the calorie in take I barely eat 1200 anyways. I am never hungry enough and i eat myself full.

I am def going to look into some better shoes, drinking more water and more potassium!

[jmccarthey]

avoid water after food ...

And the reason for this would be???

[grace_ou]

And the reason for this would be???

LOL, I was wondering the same thing.

[Jasonk282]

yea i wore the same shoes all through pregnancy but i was also running through most of it. My boyfriend agrees he thinks I need better shoes, new ones. As for the calorie in take I barely eat 1200 anyways. I am never hungry enough and i eat myself full.

I am def going to look into some better shoes, drinking more water and more potassium!

Look into gettin New Balance running shoes...very good for running in and light weight as well. One thing we do in the Marines when we were getting tired mid run...was to keep your arms moving briskly and your feet will follow. Sounds strange but it works.