i have done some research on this in the post and would like a little help, i do stretch before i run but i dont know if it is enough, when i run i get these bad pains in my calves after about a mile and cant keep up my pace, i dont think its shin splints. will it go away after a while of training? i have been runnin 2 miles a day/ 3 days a week for the last 2 weeks

any info would be great i really need to get rid of this problem so i can begin runing longer distances/ i also read what you spoke about, running for time rather than distance. i am on the training program that is given on this website and dont really want to stray away from it. please give me info i need help

Hey SOON2B, I am just now having some of the same problems you are describing, only I feel pain in just my left calf/shin and ankle area. There is no doubt that I am experiencing pain in the ankle, but the calf is only burning and tightening up. I really hope it isn't shin splints because I think the only way to get rid of them is to layoff for atleast a month or two and I can't afford to do that right now. If anyone knows what the hell could be going on please reply. I stretch very well but no matter how fast/slow I start my left calf is killing me after about a mile of running. Could I just be really out of shape? I'd rather have that than shin splints.
Thanks, Tex

hey tex i too feel is mostly in my left shin/calf
my bro said to try running backwards and on the balls of you feet to help strengthen the muscles, he was in hockey and said this helped him to get stronger calves. if anyone has anyother advise it would be great

Recommend doing a set of 30-50 calf-raises on each foot before bed each day. What is your workout history? Had you been doing nothing for a while before starting to run?

i had been doing weight training for about 7 months before i had started running but it was mainly all upperbody. i will try the calf raises thnx.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> for the love of benji! work out the ENTIRE body! people who work out only their upper body are like smokers, they just don't care about their health!! anyway, yes you are out of shape, it will get better over time. you guys should probably back off just a bit. maybe just run for a mile for a few weeks, then work up to two. and soon2b, not sure if yer talkin about the routine on the FAQ page, but that's a good one, keep it up.

66, so if people who just workout their upper bodys are smokers, than am I a drinker if I'm a runaholic? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Since were talking about full body Workouts. I don't lift with my legs. I run, and swim, thats all I do leg wise, is that enough? Should I start doing press's, extensions, raises and stuff like that? I just don't want to injure my knees or anything.

Lastly could someone tell me whether I'm going overkill on these days and if I need to spread my workout over more time. I've been told that training for more than an hour and half could be less beneficial, yet sometimes I run for that long, let alone lifting...

Mon/Wed/Fri: swim around 12:00. Run 5 miles around 10:30 p.m. followed by cal's and weights.
Starting today Tues/Thurs: swim around 12:00

So thats swimming everyday (I'm really bad and need the practice) and Running/Weights/Cal's on mon/wed/fri. On wendsday I'll do a long run just so I know I can do it, and to make 5-6 seem like less of a run.

Should I try to space it out like run and swim on mon/wed/fri, and lift and swim on tue/thur? If it would be better I'll do it, I just don't like excess trips to the gym. Its a meat market and no one actually works out there.

For 3 years of track in high school i had severe calf pains. I was a sprinter/hurdler that lifted weights in the morning, so my legs were always used. Near the end of the season, i would usually only be able to go half the practice because the calves hurt so bad. I know where you guys are coming from- it sucks. Everybody mistakens it for shin splints, but thats not it.
I wish i could give you a cure-all for it, but i never really found one. Rest didnt work, more exercise didnt work. I never concentrated weights with the calves, so that may help. But ever since i stopped hurdling on a regular basis and went to long distance; they have never come back (yet!)

AW, I would definately recommend begining to work your legs out. Running and swimming will not build significant strength. The things you mentioned are good. Or, you might start doing some pistols and check out the RKC. For combat fitness, there is nothing better!

Ok, looks like more gym time <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> . Not like I have much else to do as of now. As for the RKB's I would love a set, but its not $$ feasible right now, especially since I would only have them until I leave in Jan. for BMT.

Thanks for the advice on the legs though. I was starting to look a little funny leg wise. My calves are really cut, but my thighs arn't, and I do get pretty tired during my side-strokes at the pool.

Hope you guys manage to fix your pain problem. The day after I do a long run my left ankle/leg seems to hurt alot when I put weight onto it, but it goes away so I never thought anything of it.

Soon2B & Tex

I saw that you guys were stretching but are you doing a warm up? It is very important that you do a prerun warm up even before you stretch. I normally do at least a 1 mile warmup before I do a 2-5 mile run. And remember that drinking lots of water keeps your muscles from cramping and lubes your joints. Those of us that are on a tough training schedule need even more water than is recommended per day.
Also, if you just started the Cat 1 workout recommended on this site, a 2 mile run may not sound tough to start with but it is tougher on your body than you think. Your cardiovascular system adapts much faster than your muscles and ligaments, so try the walk/run program on runnersworld.com . It's a great program for beginners and those getting back into running. It is at least worth a read because it gives plenty of tips and info.
http://www.runnersworld.com/home/0,1300,1-51-55-236,00.html

Good luck.
John'

I'm not sure a worm-up is the best way to go. I have never been a warm-up person, mainly cause I was lazy. But after reading Power to the People by Pavel, he actually advocates NOT warming up. The theory is that when you are in a real-world situation, when you have a sudden need to run or swim or fight, you run a higher risk of injuring yourself if you regularly warm-up before training.
We fight like we train, remember guys?

That might be the dumbest theory that I think I have heard when it comes to working out. By warming up and stretching often you will be more flexable even when you are resting. Therefor I would think that you have a higher chance of injuring yourself in a "real-world" situation if your someone who does NOT usually warm up.

The body cannot adapt at a psychological level but only a physiological one (muscle cells and tenodons do not think, "hey, we better stay loose because any second this guy may just get up and start running around"). If you never warm up before exercise, how will the body respond physically to adapt? Will the body maintain a greater level of rediness to run if you blitz it randomly? No. All it knows is that it needs to get better at running. There is no way for the body to physically adapt to not warming up. I concur with Kilo: in reality, the desired affect (continually elevated elasticity and metabolism) is actually generated by the opposite.

Yeah,,, thats what I was trying to say, just in laymans terms. Continually elevated elasticity and metabolism is key to all your physical desires. Even if dont know what it means it sounds important.

Dont take it from me though, Im just a junior member.