Hi,

I'm training for a marathon in 4 weeks time and had got to 18 miler long run 10 days ago. Last week during a longish midweek run my left calf started to tighten up after about 6 miles. The pain is in the lower portion of my calf, just below where the large body of the muscle starts. It was quite stiff for a couple of days so I rested and iced and I thought it was ok. When I ran last night it was fine for about an hour but then it stiffened up again, quite suddenly! I should really do my 20 miler this weekend but at the moment I can only get to about 7 miles before calf tightens up! Any advice, is the marathon completely out of the question now?

Thanks!

I am almost 50 and 215lbs and intend running my first Marathon in Newry at the end of May. I am following Hal Higdon Novice program and last week did 15 miles in 2:30 but on Wednesday my left calf muscle problem recured just over a mile into an eight miler. I am going to change from my Asic 2140's to New Balance next week. I wear Achilles straps on both ankles and use orthontic lifts but this is the 3rd time I have had this injury in my left leg and once in my right. The pain is like being stabbed and someone twisting the knive deep in my lower calf, I go instantly lame and limp for days after. The last time it happened was in December and I know not to try and run through it now. Is it the shoes or something else. I do a little stretching of my calfs before running and I do some weights on my calf's and ankles once a week. I had 3 spare weeks on Higdon's novice program but at least one has gone now. I have not had a serious achilles injury just they get sore and sensitive to the touch without the supports