Feeling discouraged by calf injury

[HopeGraceLove]

I got my Fitbit Flex for Christmas and was doing really great. Started walking, then jogging and built up my endurance. Was able to run a couple miles for the first time in my life (I'm 47). I decided I should get some "real" running shoes. So, I did.

I noticed they were causing pain in my right foot arch but thought I'd give them a little time to see if that subsided. It didn't. Meanwhile, my right outer calf started feeling some pain - I suspect from trying to compensate for the arch pain. I returned the shoes and purchased a different pair (from a reputable running store who analyzed and gave me recommendations). Yippee! My arches felt better within a couple days. The shoes feel great. My calf, however...

Fast forward a couple weeks - my calf muscle has never recovered despite taking it easy (hardly running at all). In fact, yesterday I walked on the treadmill at a whopping 2.8mph and that even bothered me. Sigh.

I plan on making a doctor visit, but even with that I know that I'll be inactive for who knows how long. Then I feel like all that progress I made will fade away and my endurance will wither with it. I used to huff and puff at a brisk walk with my heart rate racing, and recently I could jog a couple miles with ease. I've seen what not being active for a couple weeks can do - been there. It feels like you've never exercised before in your life.

I'd rate my nutrition as decent (probably could use more protein, but stay away from processed for the most part) and I drink plenty of water - was able to lose about 12 pounds since Christmas, and my energy has been so much better. Was consistently reaching my 10K step goal. Felt so good about my progress. This just feels like a punch in the gut.

I guess I'm not sure why I'm posting, other than to just get my feelings out and see if anyone else has gone through something similar - would like to hear other stories of people who made it past an injury. I wanted to run a 5K this spring, but fear that won't happen now. I admit I'm having a little pity party over here, so any encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[SunsetRunner]

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@HopeGraceLove wrote:

I got my Fitbit Flex for Christmas and was doing really great. Started walking, then jogging and built up my endurance. Was able to run a couple miles for the first time in my life (I'm 47). I decided I should get some "real" running shoes. So, I did.

I noticed they were causing pain in my right foot arch but thought I'd give them a little time to see if that subsided. It didn't. Meanwhile, my right outer calf started feeling some pain - I suspect from trying to compensate for the arch pain. I returned the shoes and purchased a different pair (from a reputable running store who analyzed and gave me recommendations). Yippee! My arches felt better within a couple days. The shoes feel great. My calf, however...

Fast forward a couple weeks - my calf muscle has never recovered despite taking it easy (hardly running at all). In fact, yesterday I walked on the treadmill at a whopping 2.8mph and that even bothered me. Sigh.

I plan on making a doctor visit, but even with that I know that I'll be inactive for who knows how long. Then I feel like all that progress I made will fade away and my endurance will wither with it. I used to huff and puff at a brisk walk with my heart rate racing, and recently I could jog a couple miles with ease. I've seen what not being active for a couple weeks can do - been there. It feels like you've never exercised before in your life.

I'd rate my nutrition as decent (probably could use more protein, but stay away from processed for the most part) and I drink plenty of water - was able to lose about 12 pounds since Christmas, and my energy has been so much better. Was consistently reaching my 10K step goal. Felt so good about my progress. This just feels like a punch in the gut.

I guess I'm not sure why I'm posting, other than to just get my feelings out and see if anyone else has gone through something similar - would like to hear other stories of people who made it past an injury. I wanted to run a 5K this spring, but fear that won't happen now. I admit I'm having a little pity party over here, so any encouragement or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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I've run/raced 5Km./10Km. and Marathons, and have had a hamstring tear from speedwork and

shinsplints from running too many miles (even with the best training and racing shoes available.

Use cold on any swelling, and later use alternating heat and cold to help muscles and tendons

recover. Use rest, then gentle stretching, then slowly go back into active training/walk/jog/run.

Always do a warmup, a jog/run, then stretch, then go running. 

[TandemWalker]

.... and don't forget to cool down and stretch after your walk/jog workouts!

TW

[James_R]

Hey there,

Pacing yourself and rest aside, the important thing to remmber is that you can recover and you can endure. 

Injury can be a horrible thing, but as long as you stay determined and positive there is nothing that can stop you. I speak from experience, having ripped my left bicep and collapsing the muscle during a bad lift. There was a time when I thought I'd never lift again, when I looked at the scars and swore I'd never show them in the gym. Even though I'm not quite lifting as heavy as I used to yet, I recovered and so can you. 

When in doubt just tell yourself that you have the strength to carry on and improve, because it's right there inside you. 

[HopeGraceLove]

@James_R Thank you so much! I needed to hear your words. Injury can be so discouraging. Sounds like you really had a major one!

An update... I still experience pain - comes and goes. I can't get into the physical therapist for a couple weeks. After a lot of research, it appears I do not have a muscle strain, but have developed peroneal tendinitis, which is very consistent with a high arch and the arch pain I experienced early on. The peroneal tendon runs from the back of the knee along the outside of your leg and wraps around the ankle bone where it connects to the arch of the foot. My pain is at the outer top of my calf and again between my calf and ankle. There is some bruising around my ankle bone and running up my leg a little - all consistent with peroneal injury.

Anyway, I have been treating with ice, elevation, and an ankle brace. Today it feels better than it has in quite some time and I was able to take a nice walk without much pain at all - just a couple just an occassional twinge. I'm hopeful!!! Not sure I'll be able to do that 5K, but just content to get steps in - even if they are just a liesurely stroll. 🙂

[josephz2va]

Certain shoes are not good for running. A podiatrist can recommend the correct kind of shoes and may even have them at the office or the insoles. You can also try looking at RoadRunnerSports.com , select your gender, and use the ShoeDog for your shoe search.

You can also search online for Shin Splints exercising.

I wouldn't recommend the treadmill with shin splints. I can't use the treadmill myself from discomforting ankle pains and the heart rate to raise it at my comfort speed is to hit the roof at 11 Incline. Major discomfort doing that. Try the elliptical instead if you have access to one. Ellipticals allow you to adjust your resistance and speed is controlled by your movements. So you can go as low as 0.5 MPH and adjust the resistance to a key heart rate. Some ellipticals have interval heart rate or focused heart rate like Fat Burn or Cardio.

[jlmartin922]

It may be beneficial for you to find another workout to alternate with running. I've struggled with a leg injury for about 8 years now and if I do too much walking or running it'll really flare up. I joined a kickboxing gym and get a great cardio workout without the strain on my legs. I took a few months off running and when I started back up noticed an improvement on my stamina from the last time I'd run so it's definitely helping 🙂