Tight Calves

[Catrin]

Also, for some reason I posted this in the wrong forum...would one of those with the magic wand please move it to the health if you get the chance - thanks!

[bluebug32]

My calves are always tight too. I've noticed that stretching them gently every day for a couple of minutes has really helped. I also, at the suggestion of the lovely TE forum, I also keep my ankles from flexing during my pedal stroke. I realized that as I was scraping back through the pedal stroke, that my ankle was constantly flexing as well to add extra umph to that scraping motion. Now I think "quiet ankles" and that works to keep them happy (as well as my achilles and calf). As for heat, I would apply that only if it feels good. I doubt there's a whole lot of lactic acid hanging out there after a rest week, but apply ice or heat, whichever feels better. Massage is always good, too.

[Catrin]

I had wondered how long lactic acid sticks around - and they always get sore during rest weeks - calves and one hamstring One of my "corrective exercises" given me at my new gym is a "search and destroy" on my calves with the massage stick...I now have one at home. My trainer/coach seems to think that this is the second most important out of the 6 correctives they have given me. Part of their fitness assessment is to determine those areas in which we need strengthening or to pay extra attention...

If the wind allows I hope to go on an easy ride tomorrow and will try to remember to pay attention to what my feet are doing. I also need to get into the habit of applying the stick every exercise or ride day...

Thanks all!

[Catrin]

Found this link to a group of stretches for tight calves, I will try some of these out after intense activities.

[Catrin]

Thanks Murienn - I think I will work on putting together a thread that references all of the various discussions and links on stretching like you have for saddle information. This would be helpful to many of us I think.

[OakLeaf]

Just don't neglect your feet. If you have congenitally weird feet plus a history of injury (same as me, except I've had only soft tissue injuries), that's MORE reason to work on strength, mobilization and proprioception of all the dozens of muscles and joints in the feet. If the foundation is off, the whole chain will be off.

[Catrin]

Just don't neglect your feet. If you have congenitally weird feet plus a history of injury (same as me, except I've had only soft tissue injuries), that's MORE reason to work on strength, mobilization and proprioception of all the dozens of muscles and joints in the feet. If the foundation is off, the whole chain will be off.

Duly noted, and I've never thought about that! It makes sense...