"Snap" in right calf

RunningPirate

Barefooters
Mar 23, 2012
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Hi Folks -

OK, on tonights run, there was some tightness in the right calf...nothign bad enough to make me stop; I figured I'd just stretch it when I got home. About three garages from home, there was a "snap" in the right calf and some soreness (or low level pain - 4 max on a scale of 1 to 10). It's not bone or anything, so...tendon? muscle? I'm not noticing any lumps. I'm limping, but everything more or less works right. Thoughts on what could have happened?

When I was doing this 5 years ago, I recall wearing compression socks...might it be time for those, again?
 
Wow! I have no idea. Snap sounds scary though. Are you going to see a doctor.
 
Wow! I have no idea. Snap sounds scary though. Are you going to see a doctor.
Playing it by ear. I can't find my compression sox I had from years ago, so ordered another pair...will probably do that and wrap it to see how it heals. Again, I'm OK walking around, just have a limp...
 
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Hi Folks -

OK, on tonights run, there was some tightness in the right calf...nothign bad enough to make me stop; I figured I'd just stretch it when I got home. About three garages from home, there was a "snap" in the right calf and some soreness (or low level pain - 4 max on a scale of 1 to 10). It's not bone or anything, so...tendon? muscle? I'm not noticing any lumps. I'm limping, but everything more or less works right. Thoughts on what could have happened?

When I was doing this 5 years ago, I recall wearing compression socks...might it be time for those, again?
RP -that sounds very similar to what happened to me in the first few weeks when I started 'transitioning' about 3 or 4 years ago. I'd almost completed a short run and, because I was feeling good, thought I'd press on for another 10 minutes or so -then ping! Pain in the right calf and forced to limp back.

I'm no doc so I can't recall the medical detail, but I can share with you how I got fixed:

Firstly a trip to a good physiotherapist for some massage/manipulation/diagnosis/etc...
Followed by regular icing (couple of times a day), rest, then a follow up trip to the physio, followed by gentle stretching and rehab/strengthening type exercises.
It wasn't a bad injury for me, but I think it took a couple of weeks before I went out for a very easy test run. Then gradually increased distance again (i.e. back to the beginning again!).

I remember being quite frustrated that I had to rest while it healed (per the advice received), but in hindsight I have to give the physio credit -he did fix it!

I think compression sleeves for the calf are good too -I use them aswell- but I'm not sure they will necessarily fix the problem. I find them more useful for additional support etc... once running again. It could be that they're just a bit of a 'mental comfort blanket' I guess, but I think they work for me...

Hope you heal soon...:(
 
This happened to me 6 years ago when I first transitioned, too. Then, it just happened to me again 2 weeks ago! Really sucks but teach me for doing too much too soon (TMTS) this early in the season. If anything it's testement to how confident I've gotten in going out and running as much as I want ever since going minimalist/barefoot. Even with good, safe form too much is just too much.

What not to do: stretching. You've likely pulled or torn something and you don't want to keep doing that.

What TO do: Stay away from running for maybe a week and then slowly get back into it. Compression socks and foam rollers can help with the pain but the real cure is just time and recovery. Don't rush it and that means don't worry for one second about "losing" any fitness. A week is nothing, especially if it means letting things heal properly.

How to prevent in the future: In addition to staying away from the TMTS monster and not being a total idiot like me be sure your focus while running is not at all on your feet and lower legs. I still struggle to ignore everything below-the-knee myself but when I do it always helps. For me whatever part of my body I'm focusing on is where I'm asking to do the most work. Therefore, I focus on lifting quick (not necessarily high) with my thighs and running tall. Gravity exists: my feet will come down all on their own. Instinctual/involuntary movement works: my feet will push off just fine without my micro-management.

And, when I'm focused on lifting I'm focused on the complete opposite of what I should never think about: striking/landing/pounding/impacting. My steps end up being light and quiet when I focus on my thighs and ask those large, strong muscle groups to do the hard work they're best at.
 
This happened to me 6 years ago when I first transitioned, too. Then, it just happened to me again 2 weeks ago! Really sucks but teach me for doing too much too soon (TMTS) this early in the season. If anything it's testement to how confident I've gotten in going out and running as much as I want ever since going minimalist/barefoot. Even with good, safe form too much is just too much.

What not to do: stretching. You've likely pulled or torn something and you don't want to keep doing that.

What TO do: Stay away from running for maybe a week and then slowly get back into it. Compression socks and foam rollers can help with the pain but the real cure is just time and recovery. Don't rush it and that means don't worry for one second about "losing" any fitness. A week is nothing, especially if it means letting things heal properly.

How to prevent in the future: In addition to staying away from the TMTS monster and not being a total idiot like me be sure your focus while running is not at all on your feet and lower legs. I still struggle to ignore everything below-the-knee myself but when I do it always helps. For me whatever part of my body I'm focusing on is where I'm asking to do the most work. Therefore, I focus on lifting quick (not necessarily high) with my thighs and running tall. Gravity exists: my feet will come down all on their own. Instinctual/involuntary movement works: my feet will push off just fine without my micro-management.

And, when I'm focused on lifting I'm focused on the complete opposite of what I should never think about: striking/landing/pounding/impacting. My steps end up being light and quiet when I focus on my thighs and ask those large, strong muscle groups to do the hard work they're best at.
Oiy. Thanks for the advice and guidance. This is going to suck, I think.

So, can I at least ride with it, since I’m not running.