Tight calf scuppers long run plans.....boooo!

So there I was all set to put in some decent mileage for the week in preparation for the MK marathon. Running buddies ready, Dave for the mid week outing and John for that all important 15 miler today.......and what goes and happens, let me tell you.

Heading out for my mid week run I decided not to wear my compression socks as I didn't want to become so attached to them that I'd need them on race day....knee high white socks and lycra shorts are not very fetching look. It was to be an easy 8 to 10 mile run at 9 minute mile pace. Two miles into the run I suddenly feel a pop in my right calf and a slight tightness set in. Thinking that can't be good I keep going with the thought perhaps I'll be able to run this off. It's not going too bad, the tightness eases and my theory to run it off appears to be working. Mile 3 slow down to enter the country park gate and WHOA! it's back, calf tight, immediate stop and time to walk. No running it off this time, a mile walk back to Dave's house and then straight off to Vibro. Now the good thing was that with the vibro exercises it started feeling better so no damage done and in order to be ready for the 15 mile run at the weekend I decided it was time to rest (this was Wednesday).

Come Friday it felt OK so I thought lets take a little trip out to Emberton Park (easy run again) just to see if all is fine. So with compression socks I headed out wary of any tightness but at the same time thinking a lot of what I'm feeling may just be in my head. I concentrated on maintaining my running form and not making foot fall allowances when I thought my calf felt tight and this was working fine until 2 miles in and then WHOA!.....it's tight, time to walk. A little stretching and I was on my way again in a run / walk fashion to Vibro. On the machine and as before the calf loosened up which was great but I'd made the decision that the 15 miler could wait for another day. That night the calf was very tight, not painful but I was certainly not walking up and down the stairs in a normal fashion. Ice pack and deep heat consoled me along with my laptop which I used to search out remedies for my ailment.

What I did find after ruling out the more serious injuries was the importance of hydration something that I tend to overlook and also the benefits of massage, namely deep tissue massage. So as of today I am drinking more water, reducing my coffee intake and replacing this with green tea. I'm also looking into booking a deep tissue massage which I'm told will not be relaxing...no pain no gain!

Hope to get some good mileage in next week, aiming for the 15 miles that has eluded me at the weekend.