RunningAHEAD - Topic: Help with pain in soleus

nbthompson

posted: 9/4/2008 at 12:30 PM

I am having pain in my right soleus that came on pretty quickly. I did get new shoes, but they are the same model I have used for 3 or 4 years without any problems. I have been increasing my mileage at about 10% a week so I do not think that would cause much of a problem. I stretch well before and after my runs also. Does anyone have any ideas of what might be causing this? Also, any ideas on how to treat it are welcome. As for the pain, it goes away after about a half mile or so into the run then comes back about 30 minutes or so after the run. Confused

nothing is scarier than rabid squirrels with light sabers...except clowns, clowns are definitely scarier

valleygirl

posted: 9/6/2008 at 12:39 AM
modified: 9/6/2008 at 12:42 AM

I could have written this post myself with only a few variations. I'm having trouble with my left soleus and my shoes aren't particularly new. I'm pretty sure that the pain has developed for me because I started to run the majority of my runs on some pretty hilly trails. It's funny because I chose the trails for the softer surface to avoid shin splints - and ended up aggravating this muscle. (Note, I've got a bit of weight to lose and I think that the extra weight exaggerates the effects of these types of things). I searched around on the forums here on RA and out on the web and learned a thing or two about stretching and doing some work to strengthen the muscle a bit. Though I always stretch my calves while standing up straight, apparently, this will only stretch the large calf muscle, NOT the soleus. Your knee has to be bent while stretching to get the soleus stretched out as well. I knew this was getting bad when it was hurting almost continuously while I was NOT running! Going down stairs was particularly painful. I haven't run for three days (why does it seem longer!), but I have been taking two to four mile walks. I've been icing after each walk and stretching and the pain is definitely reduced. I also have a foam roller and have been trying to use that to rub out the muscle - it's just a weird muscle and it's hard to get the right kind of pressure on it with the foam roller. I can get close - but nothing that feels like it's doing anything useful. I'm signed up for a 5k on Sunday morning and have tentatively cancelled my plans for running the race. I may try a very short run tomorrow just to see if I can get some sense of whether this is going to be a short term issue or something which I have to work out over a few weeks. I'm definitely going to start back on the flattest trails that I can find - and will probably walk the hills for some time to come. Here is some useful information from Cool Running And if you search these forums using the word "soleus" or "calf pain" you will find some very useful threads.

~ Mary ~

"Workouts are like brushing my teeth; I don't think about them, I just do them. The decision has already been made." - Patti Sue Plumer

RunCheffyRun

posted: 9/6/2008 at 7:24 AM

Hey Meewolfie, Unfortunately, I have some very similar stuff. I have had a dull ache in my left soleus since a 6 mile run on Wednesday, and walking and rest time are definitely more painfull than running, although when running, it begins to ache at the end from fatigue. I had a deep tissue sports massage yesterday, and my MT found a knot and small macrotear in my soleus. I am two weeks away from my HM. I have been prescribed no more long runs till race day, and running on a the Treadmill for shorter distances until. Not complete rest, but " Active recovery" so that the muscle is being stimulated and oxygen flowing to aid in the healing. I am also going to go into Intervals for the Half, as I think the unforgiving road surface will only continue to punish the injury, and I don't want to end up on the bench for several weeks. I train on some hilly terrain, so it was likely due to the hill training on underdeveloped calves, although my calves are HUGE compared to what they were a year ago! If you run your race, I definitely would not go all out, maybe just run it for fun, and look into getting a deep tissue massage, Mine is a female Tri-Athlete that specializes with working with Tri's, and Marathoners. She knows her stuff. Good Luck!

Life Goal- Stay Cancer Free, Live my Best Life

" Choose Joy, Today and ALWAYS"

valleygirl

posted: 9/6/2008 at 9:27 AM
modified: 9/6/2008 at 9:28 AM

Hey Sandy - Thanks for the feedback. I remember your post about the sports massage from LLR and have had the idea of going kicking around in the back of my mind ever since then. There's a place nearby that does sports massage so I'm going to go ahead and schedule something with them. I'm about 80% sure that I'm going to skip the race. I purposely found an even "better" race that is scheduled for next month, so I have something to look forward to. But, wouldn't you know - the weather here has just cooled down and there are light showers. My favorite running weather! But, I do recognize that if I don't treat the injury, I won't be able to enjoy any of the fall weather out on the road. I like the idea of active recovery. I hope that you're feeling better in time for your HM!!

~ Mary ~

"Workouts are like brushing my teeth; I don't think about them, I just do them. The decision has already been made." - Patti Sue Plumer

Maplefly

Hoping to Run Again :-(

posted: 9/6/2008 at 10:23 AM

Oh I sympathize greatly. Soleus injuries are nasty. I had a tear last year that seemingly came on like a light switch. In retrospect, I had been pushing it a bit with speed work. My greatest mistake was not waiting long enough for it to heal before running again and I ended up needing 10 weeks off full-stop, no exercise. It was awful. Mine was truly painful, like a stinging sensation whenever I lifted my leg. I was beginning to think I had a stress fracture it hurt so badly and I ended up seeing an orthopedic surgeon/sports specialist. In the end, nothing but complete rest and icing would help. Once it started healing, heat and massage worked wonders. Even just massaging it yourself really helped. I would sit with the heating pad on it and then work the muscle and at first it hurt like fury. Eventually I progressed to stretches and then a walk/run program and then I was back. My advice is (of course) not to overdo it. You can make it worse by trying to run through it. Take care. Sorry I can't give more suggestions as to cause.

~ Fly ~
Only as much as I dream can I be.
veggies on the run

stevieb

posted: 9/13/2008 at 1:10 PM

I use the "stick" to really get that deep massage in the soleus.

"Human beings are made up of flesh and blood, and a miracle fiber called courage" -George Patton"\

Help with pain in soleus (Read 688 times)