How should I help my calves?

Question

I'm 15 5'5 and 130lbs I recently started running about 500 yds a day two days in row. I understand I'll get sore but how should I stretch to reduce soreness and am I doing too much too soon?

Answer 1

You are not doing too much. Keep it up. It does help to always stretch your muscles.

Answer 2

I too run a lot and find my calves really sore and burning when i excercise.

Generally I drop one leg back keeping my foot all the way down and lean forward, make sure your other knee does not go past your ankle this will strain your knees. Switch and repeat.

Another really good stretch can occur by dropping down into a pushup position now wrap one foot over the other so you are balancing on one foot, push that foot down to the ground then switch.

If you are looking to build up muscle in your calves so that they will not get sore a great excercise is stadium stairs, go up and down the rows as many times as you can. I do stadiums with 10 aisles four times. That gives you 20 times up the stairs and 20 times down, your calves will feel sore but after doing this reguarlly you'll build up alot of endurance in them they're also great for your butt!

happy stretching

Answer 3

You should do the strattle stretch, which is when you stand with your legs wide apart and lean to either the left or right side and bend down to touch your toes, or you can sit down and put your legs straight in front of you and reach for your toes. I don't really think you're doing too much to soon. If you're getting really tired or feel like it's too much, you should start off a little bit less distance or run every other day, but if you think that you're doing okay, then it's not too much.

Answer 4

Try some gentle warm-up stretching before you run and walk for 10-15 minutes before your run, as well. This will help get your muscles ready to run. The leg exercises and stretches on the links below are also some good ideas to add to your routine. You're in the hardest stage now...keep up the good work...don't give up...it gets easier and more fun!

- Mike