Heya Docs!
About 13 years ago (when in high school), I strained my right upper calf muscle while running and haven't had a problem since....until this morning. From my limited understanding, it is a pretty mild strain (but I don't want to run for sure) in the upper lateral part of my right calf. Based on whether it hurts when having the leg extended or bent, due to the pain when bent, I'm supposing it is a soleus strain. So, naturally, other than ricing it today, I've been preoccupied with what happened, and how my technique may have caused it. Here are my thoughts. Do they make sense?
Facts:
1. I was running on a trail this morning with rocks and roots in abudance.
2. I'm still recovering from a left forefoot bruising that occurred by stepping on a 2 inch high and 1 inch wide stump in the trails of Lake Tahoe. Oops. So, I'm likely favoring my right side out of fear since stones and twigs hurt my left foot.
3. I was wearing VFFs....I've been running barefoot for 6 mos or so...which means I'm a noob and am still trying to figure this out. I was competitive when younger but had plantar faciitis so I took 8 years off from running (I would start but then the plantar stuff would come right back). Started 6 mos ago...no plantar faciitis problems.
Thoughts:
Is it possible that tension in my ankles may have contributed to this strain? I have a really hard time letting my feet relax expecially when I'm worried about foot placement. How do you handle foot placement and keep loose at the same time? Is this related to the soleus strain? If so, should I keep off those trails until I have a full recovery?
Thanks!
Scott
About 13 years ago (when in high school), I strained my right upper calf muscle while running and haven't had a problem since....until this morning. From my limited understanding, it is a pretty mild strain (but I don't want to run for sure) in the upper lateral part of my right calf. Based on whether it hurts when having the leg extended or bent, due to the pain when bent, I'm supposing it is a soleus strain. So, naturally, other than ricing it today, I've been preoccupied with what happened, and how my technique may have caused it. Here are my thoughts. Do they make sense?
Facts:
1. I was running on a trail this morning with rocks and roots in abudance.
2. I'm still recovering from a left forefoot bruising that occurred by stepping on a 2 inch high and 1 inch wide stump in the trails of Lake Tahoe. Oops. So, I'm likely favoring my right side out of fear since stones and twigs hurt my left foot.
3. I was wearing VFFs....I've been running barefoot for 6 mos or so...which means I'm a noob and am still trying to figure this out. I was competitive when younger but had plantar faciitis so I took 8 years off from running (I would start but then the plantar stuff would come right back). Started 6 mos ago...no plantar faciitis problems.
Thoughts:
Is it possible that tension in my ankles may have contributed to this strain? I have a really hard time letting my feet relax expecially when I'm worried about foot placement. How do you handle foot placement and keep loose at the same time? Is this related to the soleus strain? If so, should I keep off those trails until I have a full recovery?
Thanks!
Scott