Run-Down Forums

[Paul]

Paul, here. I'd like to take a stab at this. I've been running for a few years but I come from an Olympic lifting background so I am not a small person. I have had a number of calf problems myself over the years. At first I thought I had some compartment problems, then I realized it was probably an achilles problem where the muscle ties in with the tendon in the mid calf area. But it seemed deeper than the gastronemius. Pain can radiate into strange places. Now, before I run, I stretch my calves and do some heel raises and some light jumping to warm that area up. I found a very good article in your Guest Article links on Plantar Fasciitis by Perry Julien that talks about stretching that entire complex. I use "the stick" and the "Foot Log" to massage my calves and feet before I run. They are both available from RoadRunner Sports, one of your advertizing links. I am also going to get the FootFlex soon. For the cost of a pair of running shoes, these 3 items should last for the rest of one's life. I have found them very useful.

[ This Message was edited by: pnb470 on 2002-04-30 03:49 ]

[Dan]

Those are good products, indeed. I use "the stick" from time to time, mostly on my quads. I have one of those foot massager type things, but I never really use it for runing. The thing that I highly recommend (can't remember if I already mentioned it in this thread) for stretching the lower legs is ProStretch.

http://www.prostretch.com/

[Note: At one time, Run-Down accounted for something like 7% of their site traffic. You'd think they would at least respond to my email inquiries...]

Dan

[Paul]

Dan,

Thanks for the info on Prostretch. I like the way it rotates so you can control the stretching movement. And its not that expensive. I saw the unit in my Road Runner catalog, but didn't give it much thought, so it was nice to get a recommendation from someone I could trust.

Paul

[Dan]

The rolling motion of it makes it 10x better than any other lower leg stretch I've tried. It was that or possible compartment syndrome surgery for me, so I definitely give it a high recommendation!

Dan

[megaman]

My calf problems continue. I have researched compatment syndrome extensivley and feel that is what my problem is. My pain comes on suddenly and at the same point during my run. This has been going on for a few years but noe it is more frequent. It used to bother me once or twice a year but noe it wont go away. I have tried everything, rest ice, heat, massage, stretching. I am finally going to see my ortho next week. According to the team physician for the San Diego Padres, Dr. Fronek:"Most of the time non surgical treatments are not effective if the person wants to continue with his type of exercise. The runners or tennisplayers we see who have the symptoms generally continue to have them if they pursue that chosen activity. Generall, surgical treatment, which is a release of the muscle compartment so there is more room for the muscle to function in, is the treatment of choice and provides good results." I have read that the surgery is relatively minor and most people are up and about in a day or two and back to pain free exercise in aqbout 2-3 weeks.

[Paul]

This question is specifically for Dan and Micah, but anyone's opinion is welcomed. What do you think of working on the treadmill for cross training purposes?? I can walk on a treadmill at 3mph at 15% grade and my heart rate approaches 140. Am I just fooling myself or is this a reasonable recovery day workout??
Maybe a separate thread on favorite cross training activities is in order.

Paul

[Dan]

megaman, sorry to hear about your continued problems. I've had pretty good with the calf/achilles stretching for that type of thing, but maybe I'm the exception. I was told surgery would probably be necessary if I didn't address the problem quickly...

Paul, I don't see anything wrong with the treadmill for a light workout. Some people even swear by it for primary training (controlled environment and what not), but I think that's loony.

Dan

[SuperSprinter]

[Conway]

I used ot use a mini trampoline for training when the weather was bad ... I found it worked quite well for keeping my aerobic capacity up ... And it wasn't bad work for the lower half of my stride pattern ....

[Dan]

I've never done any trampoline work myself, but our jumps coaches are pretty keen on it.

Dan

[megaman]

super sprinter, I am not a sprinter. I am a distance runner who is 40 years old. I do speed work when I am healthy, mostly 400's and 800's with the occasional 200's when I am getting close to a particular race.