Whenever I go running, after about 5 minutes the muscles on the front of my calf get really tight?

Question

Why does this keep happening. The muscles on the front of my lower calf get so tight, that I have to stop running. I try to stretch everything out before I run, but it's hard to stretch out those muscles so what do I do??

Answer 1

i don't know which stretches you do, but if you sit with your legs straight out in front of you and reach for your toes, it'll be good for your calf and other upper leg muscles. but also warm a bit before you start running. take a brisk walk and speed up just a little to get your body ready. then start running slowly and progressively going faster. after you finish, stretch again. if you continue to feel pain or discomfort, consult a doctor.

Answer 2

Before you go out to run sit down and stretch your legs out at an angle and point & flex your feet. If done properly you should feel a slight stretching in the front of your calves.

Answer 3

do you do a warm down and warm up? also you need to increase mileage 10% weekly at the most....dramatic increases in running distances or even starting off too fast pace and or distance can cause soreness. Check out www.coolrunning.com for ultimate runners advice. Free forums by runners for runners on stretching, nutrition, training and more. Good Luck to you.

Answer 4

you can try sitting in the pretzel (also known as indian) style and push ur tighs down with ur hands. you can also straighten out ur legs and reach ur toes for about 30 seconds before and after running. also try sitting down with ur butt up against a wall and stretch ur legs as hard as u can, every way that u can.

Answer 5

try starting out at a little slower of a pace and work your way up allowing for proper blood flow to the area and less cramping.