Thanks Zen. I appreciate your vote of confidence.

Julibird makes a good point that it's always better to consult with someone in person than on the net. This is an unusual forum in that we have a lot of professionals here, but even then, nothing takes the place of one on one.

There are a couple of things in this case that in all probability indicate a mechanical cause for the problem leading to inflammation. All painful expisodes were associated with mechanical stress - running. The pain is not consistent, that is, it's not present all the time and can be absent for long periods of time. This is a good indicator that what is happening here is not something more serious, such as a blood clot (which usually happens in the calf) or a bone infection.

Seeing someone is a great idea and that someone should be a person well versed in musculoskeletal problems. A PT would be a good start and they could definitely point you in the right direction for further testing if it's warranted.