[Alex]

I seem to be prone to getting calf problems. The usual suspect is tightness...2 days ago I ran a 5k race and about a mile of it was uphill. In the middle of the race I felt my calves tighten up bad and they still are incredibly tight.<br><br>
I've taken ibueprofin, used the Stick, stretched em out, and stood on an incline board for quite some time. Also just plain old massaging it myself and nothing has seemed to help.<br><br>
Any suggestions?

 

[merigayle]

magnesium supplement taken at night.<br>
At CVS or similar store, in the aspirin aisle, look for something called "Hylands Homeopathic Leg Cramp Remedy with Quinine" in a small red box. Usually on a bottom shelf. Ask the pharmacist ifyou cannot find it. I find that those two are very good in warding off calf cramps and calf tightness.<br>
Epsom salt baths help too. A big bag is like a couple of bucks. Fill your tub and throw in a few handfuls (the more the better in my book). Good for any post workout issues <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br>
then the last thing to look at is maybe you are not in the proper shoe?

 

[Hippo]

One other possibility (though it's a long shot) is that you might be able to learn how to better massage them. Maybe there is something about what you're doing now that is not releasing trigger points - this would make any stretching counterproductive.<br><br>
So maybe going to a deep tissue massage practitioner and using a couple of sessions to learn how to do a better job yourself? I'm assuming a lot and don't mean to offend if you're already pretty adept at massaging.

 

[merigayle]

oh, i have a foam roller, which i think it better than the stick. I like to use it under my knee, which seems to help release some of the muscles and tightness in the leg.<br>
A good professional massage is great too!!

 

[Alex]

Well the supplement, I could try that, but I rarely ever go to the city, but I'll kep it in mind when I do. As for the massaging, I don't think we have anything like that in my area, otherwise I'd be there for sure. <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"><br><br>
My idea after reading Flounder's treatment was icing and then heating. Get a 5 gallon bucket with cold water and ice...stay for a few minutes, then pop the legs into a hot tub and repeat cycle a few times. Would this do anything beneficial for tightness?<br><br>
I'll be trying that later this afternoon so I'll report back.