Calf Worries Part Deux

Aggravated the calf muscle today.  I think that means my weekend running plans are shot.

Okay; let's review.  I first felt it on Sunday during my 10 mile slow jog around Lake Miramar.  I remember specifically feeling a cramp or something come on at mile 6.  It wasn't a snap or a ping, but it wasn't gradual either.  It really felt like just a little cramping.  It wasn't bad or cause to stop running.  I finished out the run fine and didn't feel it again until later after I tightened up Sunday night and Monday.  I could warm it up and it would feel fine, but nevertheless, I chose not to run on Monday.  I skipped Tuesday too, since I could still feel a vague knot in the calf and wanted to give it another day.

Wednesday, it felt good and I finished a harder session with no issues.  I still made sure I stretched it out and massaged it afterwards, but everything appeared fine.

Then comes today.  I only had time for a short run, and for convenience sake I did it on the treadmill.  I opted for a very light and easy jog, targeting 75-80% of HRmax, which I could sustain at about 6.5 on the gauge (a sub-9:00 pace).  Very comfortable and no concerns through 3 miles.  For the final mile, I choose to do a few strides, bumping the speed up for 100m stretches with 100m intervals at a slow jog.  I had just finished my 6th stride and was in the process of recovering at a slow 7.0 speed when I felt the pain in my calf.  Again, it wasn't a snap or pop, but more like the muscle cramped.  I immediately unweighted by leaning on the railings.  I gave the calf a couple of tests again, debating whether or not it was bad enough to stop or okay to run through.  It wasn't really sharp.  I could have run through it in a pinch, but I decided there was no need.  I was essentially finished with my workout anyway and didn't want to risk an injury.  So I called it a day.

I didn't apply any ice or heat.  I just did a routine stretch and showered and went on my way.  It was a little sore to walk on, but nothing bad.  I picked up Quin and headed down to Comic-Con.  We parked at the Linda Vista trolley stop, had some trouble finding a fare machine that worked.  We found a working one just as the trolley to the Convention Center was pulling up and quickly tried to get our tickets.  With the tickets in hand, we rushed across the platform to try to get onboard, but that first quick push off of that calf sent a searing pain through the muscle and I pulled up lame.  The trolley buzzed and pulled away without us.

Dang!  This was nothing like the previous couple of "cramps."  This was definitely a pulled muscle.  We did catch the next trolley to the convention, but I limped around for the rest of the day.  I figured out a way to get around without putting pressure on the muscle, and eventually it eased up enough that I could put weight on the ball of the foot as long as I didn't lever on it.  It actually felt better to stay on it than to sit and let it tighten up.

I pulled a calf muscle a little over a year ago, but I can't recall if it was the same leg.   I wasn't full into running yet back then.  I don't think I was keeping a diary yet, so I don't know if I can find any record to refresh my memory.  But it did take about a week to feel healed again.

(I found an old note in an exercise log; it was January 2009 and yes, the same calf...pulled while skipping rope and then again a week later when "limbo" ducking under the opening garage door.)

With the half marathon so close and my mileage training in arrears, this pretty much guarantees that I'm going to be loafing the race just to finish.  The only thing that bothers me is that it seems like my tendency to pull this muscle increases as I temper the pace.  On the quicker, brisker runs, I've not has a problem.  Both times this week, it was on the slow-paced easy runs.  I'm not sure what to make of that.  Does my gait change with my speed? Have I migrated too far forward onto my forefoot in my running technique?  This latest injury was with the old  Sauconey's.  Sunday's injury came with the newer K-Swiss.  I have been running more mid- to fore-foot, but I thought I had adapted.  I wasn't having any ankle or foot problems until now.  And in recent times, it's been my upper legs that have needed the most attention.  My calves didn't even bother me on the marathon run.

Bottom line, though, is I need to rest the legs.  I honestly don't think I've been over training.  If anything, I felt like I was behind and needed to start ramping up.  Who knows?  This is why I need a running coach.  I can't decipher my body's code.  I'll concentrate on  swimming, rowing, spinning and "ellipticalling" this coming week to keep my aerobic fitness levels up.  Not sure what I'll do this weekend with access to gym equipment.  Wonder if I can sneak into LA Fitness on Joan's badge?