Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[shaper]

Picked up a calf injury on my run Weds... my post ride running injury issue continues. This is why I pretty much stopped riding as this is probably the 5th time my calf has packed up going for a run after a ride... 

 

I was sure to have a proper stretch after my ride on Sunday and was having a great run until this shot out of nowhere and I ended up limping home. Could barely walk yesterday despite lots of ice, it's a bit better today at least, but no Johnsons Crane for me Sunday.

 

Anybody else struggled with this? I know the two sports counter each other to a point, but this is getting a bit ridiculous. I really want to get back into my riding, but can't afford to lose training time. I train too little as it is already

 

Any thoughts? Seeing my physio Monday and then will most likely will book in to see my Bio and try get some further insight from her

 

Bloody frustrating 

Can't help or comment on the injury.  Were you doing a straight run after the cycle or was the run later in the day?

 

If straight run after cycle there would be no need to stretch, but would recommend shortening stride length for the first 5 mins until blood is flowing to running muscles ... this could of caused the calf injury.

 

If running later in the day, maybe need to focus more on calf stretching rather than other areas as it has happened before?

 

Speedy recovery!

[Jewbacca]

Anyone else running Red Hill marathon tomorrow morning?

[Andrew Steer]

I'll try and do the short version.

 

I'll focus on the stuff running down the leg, and ignore upper body stuff.

 

Nerves cells are extremely long, often running the entire length of the nerve.  These are encased an protected by sheets of collagen.

 

If the nerves or the sheets become irritated/not used for a while/subjected to poor posture etc., they can shorten and/or adhere to surrounding structures (often muscle fascia).

 

This can result in neural tissue tightness, and are often secondary to acute compression onto the nerve structures (over stretching can cause this), chronic overuse (especially unaccustomed activities), muscle imbalances, joint issues, poor posture, etc.

 

That then causes changes in the nerve structures - swelling, local lack of oxygen, chemical irritation, decreased blood flow, etc. - all causing pain.

 

The pain causes muscle guarding/spasm to protect the inflamed neural tissue.  If the issue persists, it may lead to fibrosis around the nerves, leading to deceased elasticity, and adhesion to the surrounding structures.  This then causes more load on the nerves, and you become stuck in a downward spiral.

 

Sheesh, can only hope it's not that (don't think it is) - shot for the insight 

[Andrew Steer]

Can't help or comment on the injury.  Were you doing a straight run after the cycle or was the run later in the day?

 

If straight run after cycle there would be no need to stretch, but would recommend shortening stride length for the first 5 mins until blood is flowing to running muscles ... this could of caused the calf injury.

 

If running later in the day, maybe need to focus more on calf stretching rather than other areas as it has happened before?

 

Speedy recovery!

 

Running a few days later. This time the gap was nearly 3 days due to rain messing up my training, but usually it's a day or two later. Heel drops have helped me loads the last year or so with my tight calves and achilles - but can't help but tie this to the cycling since it's happened so many times before. I must get back into regular bio work though and a far more serious stretching routine - my flexibility is not what it could/should be.

[Pulse]

Sheesh, can only hope it's not that (don't think it is) - shot for the insight 

 

It sounds worst than it actually is - everyone has progressive decrease in neural movement along the length of the nerves due to aging.

 

I don't think your issue originates from the calf only.

 

Ask you physio/bio to look at the nerves.  If you get stuck I can suggest some easy ways of assessing their mobility, and simple ways of addressing it.

 

Keep us updated.  Hope its sorted out quickly

[Andrew Steer]

It sounds worst than it actually is - everyone has progressive decrease in neural movement along the length of the nerves due to aging.

 

I don't think your issue originates from the calf only.

 

Ask you physio/bio to look at the nerves.  If you get stuck I can suggest some easy ways of assessing their mobility, and simple ways of addressing it.

 

Keep us updated.  Hope its sorted out quickly

Thanks, appreciate the input

[CobusV]

Picked up a calf injury on my run Weds... my post ride running injury issue continues. This is why I pretty much stopped riding as this is probably the 5th time my calf has packed up going for a run after a ride... 

 

I was sure to have a proper stretch after my ride on Sunday and was having a great run until this shot out of nowhere and I ended up limping home. Could barely walk yesterday despite lots of ice, it's a bit better today at least, but no Johnsons Crane for me Sunday.

 

Anybody else struggled with this? I know the two sports counter each other to a point, but this is getting a bit ridiculous. I really want to get back into my riding, but can't afford to lose training time. I train too little as it is already

 

Any thoughts? Seeing my physio Monday and then will most likely will book in to see my Bio and try get some further insight from her

 

Bloody frustrating 

 

I've had right calf issues since middle of December. Up to that I've been rotating 2 running shoes - Zante 6mm drop vs. Boracay 4mm drop. Everytime I use the Boracay my injury flares up again. So now I'm rotating the Zante with a new 8mm shoe (Reebok). But lots of icing and TLC since December and my calf seems okayish now. Will let you know on Monday, since we're doing Akasia 42 tomorrow. 

 

But, to make things worse: We ran PWC 21 last Saturday. At about 5km in my wife's right calf also popped (she is a bit hardegat - continued to run and ran a 13min negative split). Was really struggling to walk Saturday afternoon, but lots of icing, compression and TLC and by Sunday morning she was walking normal again with only minor inconvenience. Continued with RICE. Did a 4km test run yesterday and she said her calf felt 100%. 

 

My injurey was definetely an overuse injury, which started with the achilles and progressed to the calf. Feeling almost deep within the calf. My wife's injury was more of superficial injury due to nature of the race - stop/start and on/off pavements due to the crowds.

 

Good luck with your injury. It is massively frustrating.

[SeaBee]

No shucks Andrew, that's a bummer! I've had some calf niggles and it's not lekker - esp whilst the physio is busy treating it! 

 

Hope it's not too serious and you heal up quickly.

Edited January 26, 2018 by SeaBee

[shaper]

Running a few days later. This time the gap was nearly 3 days due to rain messing up my training, but usually it's a day or two later. Heel drops have helped me loads the last year or so with my tight calves and achilles - but can't help but tie this to the cycling since it's happened so many times before. I must get back into regular bio work though and a far more serious stretching routine - my flexibility is not what it could/should be.

Potential bike fit issues?? Saddle too high?? Even though might feel at right height, you could be over extending putting stress on achilles and calf..... which only becomes apparent when running at a later date.

[CobusV]

Potential bike fit issues?? Saddle too high?? Even though might feel at right height, you could be over extending putting stress on achilles and calf..... which only becomes apparent when running at a later date.

 

Due to my calf acting up, I cycled to work the last part of December and beginning of January to keep my sanity (2 to 3 times a week). Worked wonders for my injured calf - gently streching and excercising the calf without the accompanying shock of running. It also helped a bit to keep my fitness level a tad. But I must admit though, I only did about 30kms a day...

[Andrew Steer]

Potential bike fit issues?? Saddle too high?? Even though might feel at right height, you could be over extending putting stress on achilles and calf..... which only becomes apparent when running at a later date.

My setup is pretty good I'm sure, been dialled in on my Mtb for years... what might be more of an issue is just me not being used to riding anymore - basically only been doing 2/3 rides a year for the last 3 years - so it might be a shock to the system when I do, causing some minor issues which then blow up when go for a run after...

 

I guess just like we have to respect building up our running, me just doing long rides on a whim might also not be very productive

[Mats]

Attended my first club TT on Tuesday since 1994.

It was a big shock to my body as I am not used to the pace for the distance.

I did the 8km which was actually 7.5km, what a tough little route with over 130m of climbing all in the last 4km.

I survived and looking forward to do the next one... but not next week.

Edited January 26, 2018 by Carpet

[Jaws677]

 

What a strange sight. Since I got the new watch last year it's always been two up green arrows. Tapering a but this week for Sundays marathon has changed it a bit.

 

 

 

And the race predictor .....only in my dreams

Edited January 26, 2018 by Jaws677

[SwissVan]

Attended my first club TT on Tuesday since 1994.

It was a big shock to my body as I am not used to the pace for the distance.

I did the 8km which was actually 7.5km, what a tough little route with over 130m of climbing all in the last 4km.

I survived and looking forward to do the next one... but not next week.

Time ? Other wise it never happened ????

 

I miss club TT’s and will definetly suffer if I attempt one now

[SwissVan]

 

What a strange sight. Since I got the new watch last year it's always been two up green arrows. Tapering a but this week for Sundays marathon has changed it a bit.

 

 

 

And the race predictor .....only in my dreams

My watch says only one thing at the moment:

 

UNDERTRAINED

[EmptyB]

My setup is pretty good I'm sure, been dialled in on my Mtb for years... what might be more of an issue is just me not being used to riding anymore - basically only been doing 2/3 rides a year for the last 3 years - so it might be a shock to the system when I do, causing some minor issues which then blow up when go for a run after...

 

I guess just like we have to respect building up our running, me just doing long rides on a whim might also not be very productive

Could have tweaked something playing squash which flared up whilst running.

 

Squash can be pretty hectic on the legs if you don't play regularly!

 

Geez, I play tennis once in a blue moon and I can feel it the next day!!