Been running pretty good since April, maintaining/increasing mileages basically injury free. For the last week I haven't really been able to do my runs as planned do to my body yelling STOP. I think it started when I ran a "tempo' run at 5K distance. I didn't realize I was actually running a 5K distance faster than I had ever ran before and it was up and down hills. So the next day my left calf muscle was very sore and still hurts today. DW gave it a great massage last night so it does not hurt as much. I went for my scheduled 4 mile run this morning ( cutting miles this week as I have a 5K race this weekend). I warmed up on the dreadmill for 10 mins to make sure the blood was flowing good into my leg muscles and then went out and hit the road. I couldn't even run at all !! I basically limped along and lost all my HTFU-ness at 2 miles and quit. I was having some trouble with the PF muscle but thats better, it's just like my body is telling me I've overdone it. Basically all the major muscles groups in my legs and hips. First time experiencing this total disaster as a whole, so I'm perplexed on what to do. HTFU and run low easy miles for next few day then rest couple day before race ? The taking it easy part is not what's bothering me, it's the mental part- I have a 5K race on Saturday- my last planned race and it's the fastest 5K in N.E. Ohio so I really wanted to see what I could do. Also worried about the 10k I had on Labor Day. GRRRRRR The 10K is the last hurdle I had planned also for this year so I don't want to miss it. My longest slow runs have been 7+miles so I am was all geared up for it also. Q: stay off feet until race Day Saturday or just tough it out and do low miles till race day?

Today is monday right? I'd take tuesday and possibly wednesday off, light jog on thursday. Friday do a light jog with a few gentle pickups. If stuff hurts friday I would skip the race. If stuff just feels tired but no pain then go for it, warm up well and kick booty. Tomorrow or wednesday if you can something like a swim might help a lot. Or just take a walk enough to get the muscles loose, but not fatigued.

Sounds right to me. Your mileage in in July to August was more than a 70% increase instead of the recommended 10%. Could possible be part of the problem.

The taking it easy part is not what's bothering me, it's the mental part- I have a 5K race on Saturday- my last planned race and it's the fastest 5K in N.E. Ohio so I really wanted to see what I could do

Which race is this? I'm in that area, so very curious! I was starting to get a similar feeling and have chalked it up to cement sidewalks and shoes that were getting worn out. What has solved the problem: - new shoes (switched from Brooks to a nice pair of NB) - superfeet green inserts - trail runs (they are slower overall and more technical, but the softness has given me the relief that my legs needed) I've been able to keep up the same "intensity" of run, but with better shoes and softer ground, I've been able to eliminate the pain. ("intensity" is in quotes, since my runs would not seem too intense to many around here. It's all relative, though!)

Which race is this? I'm in that area, so very curious! I was starting to get a similar feeling and have chalked it up to cement sidewalks and shoes that were getting worn out. What has solved the problem: - new shoes (switched from Brooks to a nice pair of NB) - superfeet green inserts - trail runs (they are slower overall and more technical, but the softness has given me the relief that my legs needed) I've been able to keep up the same "intensity" of run, but with better shoes and softer ground, I've been able to eliminate the pain. ("intensity" is in quotes, since my runs would not seem too intense to many around here. It's all relative, though!)

N.E Ohio's Fastest Certfied 5K Run Navarre Ohio Canalway Classic 5K Run 8/16/08 9am ( www.ohiochallengeseries.com) (only have till 2pm Friday to pre-register @ $20 then it's $25

Today is monday right? I'd take tuesday and possibly wednesday off, light jog on thursday. Friday do a light jog with a few gentle pickups. If stuff hurts friday I would skip the race. If stuff just feels tired but no pain then go for it, warm up well and kick booty. Tomorrow or wednesday if you can something like a swim might help a lot. Or just take a walk enough to get the muscles loose, but not fatigued.

Swim- ha- not a public pool in our entire county!! Went out and easy ran a 5K+ distance on "flat" ground for our area. I warmed up on the dreadmill for 10 mins walking first then hit the road. First 1/4 mile was a little rough, then the rust fell off and the further I went the better I felt. I could had run much more very easily. So that's very good news for me physically, even though I'm still not anywhere near 100% recovered. It was the MENTAL relief that todays first run provided that was the most exciting for me. I'm am going to rest on Friday, then run the race on Saturday. I was hoping for a new PR but that may not happen (and I'm ok with that) Maybe once the day arrives I might end up with a new PR anyway. But I will not due so at the risk of injury. Thank you for your advice and personal experiences once again.

Nice Race!

New PR for me for 5K 25:30 ( my pre-race goal was 26 - ) Still want to get to 24min Still hurt but will probably run my first 10k in couple of weeks as that was my last main goal for this year. Going to get green feet inserts on Monday to see if it help my PF, along with Chiro adjust and a masso therapy session.