Tight Calves

[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...

[Catrin]

For some reason I've been resistant to adding to my usual set of stretches that came out of spinning class. Those are good starts but it's been proved I need more than that. It is time to change that, I really want a season with no injury that is preventable. Actually I had that last year - no over-use injuries - but if I am already noting tight muscles this early in the season it is time for another approach.

I think that compiling and posting the assorted links and stretch-related discussions found on TE for a general post will help me put all this together in my head and hopefully help someone else at the same time.

[klesko]

I have achilles and plantar fascitis issues and the single thing that helps me is stretching my calves every morning. I just do a simple lean on the foot of the bed and do it feet straight forward and another set with toes pointed in. My podiatrist told me to do it both ways and the calf stretch with toes pointed in really helps me. I did calf raises for a while but those are too aggressive for my achilles tendon.

[bluebug32]

Another thought....do you stretch your hip flexors and quads? If these are tight, they can cause an imbalance, which is generally felt in the hamstring/calf.

[Catrin]

Another thought....do you stretch your hip flexors and quads? If these are tight, they can cause an imbalance, which is generally felt in the hamstring/calf.

hmmm, and I've been noting tightness in my hammies as well, especially the one I injured two years ago.

One of the trainers at the gym has taught me some exercises that isolates my hip flexors from my quads and stretches/exercises them. He said my legs are so strong that they are dominating both flexors and glutes so he is helping me learn how isolate/stretch/strengthen. Apparently my glutes are a little weak as well but not too bad.

[Becky]

My trainer at the gym has taught me some exercises that isolates my hip flexors from my quads and stretches/exercises them.

Could you please elaborate on this? My hip flexors are an ongoing challenge for me, especially on the rare occasion that I run. I can use all of the help and good advice that I can get! Thanks!

[Catrin]

I made a comment very early this morning on this thread that was very poorly worded - it was actually directed to differences in the space/type of workouts available between my old and new gym and not a personal judgment on my former trainer. I've removed that original comment and want to go on record regarding that. My wording was unfortunate and without knowing the context appeared to be blasting him personally, but that was far from my intention or purpose.

My former trainer was quite good and he and his wife became friends over the years. He gave me extra time and was very helpful to me in my process of reversing diabetes and becoming more bike-fit and general fitness, and I am thankful for all of his help and efforts.