I had calf issues when I first started running and I now always wear calf/compression sleeves. Also, rotating different shoes has helped a lot of injuries/pain with my running (knees, feet, calves) - I currently have 3 pairs that I rotate depending on the run.This question may be answered somewhere in the 959 pages in this thread, but I figured I'd just ask. I'm a novice runner that usually gets 3-5 miles runs in a few times a week over the last few years. For about the last couple months I've been battling calf stiffness that I've been able to push through. I've tried stretching, rollers, and strengthening exercises and nothing seems to be helping. During the last two runs, I pulled up after about a mile and couldn't go anymore, so it getting worse. Do you guys have any recommendations beyond continued stretching and strengthening?
Thanks, guys.
I'll defer to @SFBayDuck and @BassNBrew with regard to a lot of these questions, but as far as a training plan for a trail 50K is concerned, just train like you would for a marathon, but run on trails. It's only 5 extra miles, so there's really not much need to do things a whole lot differently.Lighting the duck and other ultra guys' bat signal. Been mulling over doing a 50k in the next 12-18 months, and was checking out World's End and Oil Creek as possibilities. The first one is significantly closer, but I suspect it is rockier, also possibly a bit hillier - looking at the elevation profile it looks like it has a terrifying descent towards the end. The second one is further away but I could probably combine it with a trip to visit my sister, although it is in the fall which worries me from a leaf perspective. Both over 5000ft elevation gain which seems like a lot, but maybe that's normal? Also found one in the middle of the state in the spring with like 7000ft of gain, including 1000ft in a mile, which seems fairly ridiculous. Not exactly sure what I'm asking. I guess partially making sure these are in the realm of normal courses to try a first 50K on? Maybe for reassurance that I'm not crazy? What a training plan should look like? TIA
Yeah 5,000' isn't that's much for an ultra.Dr_Zaius said:Lighting the duck and other ultra guys' bat signal. Been mulling over doing a 50k in the next 12-18 months, and was checking out World's End and Oil Creek as possibilities. The first one is significantly closer, but I suspect it is rockier, also possibly a bit hillier - looking at the elevation profile it looks like it has a terrifying descent towards the end. The second one is further away but I could probably combine it with a trip to visit my sister, although it is in the fall which worries me from a leaf perspective. Both over 5000ft elevation gain which seems like a lot, but maybe that's normal? Also found one in the middle of the state in the spring with like 7000ft of gain, including 1000ft in a mile, which seems fairly ridiculous. Not exactly sure what I'm asking. I guess partially making sure these are in the realm of normal courses to try a first 50K on? Maybe for reassurance that I'm not crazy? What a training plan should look like? TIA
I've done neither, but I think I feel the same way. I've thought of doing a road marathon as a check the box type activity, but it doesn't hold a lot of appeal to me. A day slogging through the woods, while physically draining, sounds like a lot more fun. Worried about nutrition as I never eat or drink on my runs. Also, anaphylactic to nuts, so that rules out a lot of common fuels.Yeah 5,000' isn't that's much for an ultra.
Having a grand total of one ultra under my belt, I found it easier and more fun than a marathon. The biggest difference is that you can walk the uphills without feeling like a failure.
And nature. And softer footfalls. Food at aid stations.
Paging @SFBayDuck for the legit/useful advice!
Ugh...hope you get better fast.SayWhat? said:Symptoms. I feel pretty wrecked. Felt off last Wednesday morning (congestion, fatigue) so I stayed home from work and at my wife’s urging, went and got tested. Fever, headache, and insane body aches started Wednesday evening. Also a very odd feeling of chest tightness that comes and goes. COVID test came back as negative on Friday. Symptoms persisted into the weekend and progressed into the complete loss of taste and smell on Sunday , which prompted a retest on Monday. Positive result came back early this morning from that test. My wife is now into the same symptom cycle as me, with the dry cough as well. And our oldest daughter had a 100+ fever last night, though no other symptoms.
Just really sucks as we were the super cautious family over the course of the spring/summer. Really feels incredibly defeating.
Damn dude, so sorry to hear this. Not the post I was expecting to see as I poked my head back in here. Hope your young and strong immune systems kick it's butt, and in a couple of weeks you and the wife are donating plasma to share your bad-### antibodies and t-cells with others.SayWhat? said:Symptoms. I feel pretty wrecked. Felt off last Wednesday morning (congestion, fatigue) so I stayed home from work and at my wife’s urging, went and got tested. Fever, headache, and insane body aches started Wednesday evening. Also a very odd feeling of chest tightness that comes and goes. COVID test came back as negative on Friday. Symptoms persisted into the weekend and progressed into the complete loss of taste and smell on Sunday , which prompted a retest on Monday. Positive result came back early this morning from that test. My wife is now into the same symptom cycle as me, with the dry cough as well. And our oldest daughter had a 100+ fever last night, though no other symptoms.
Just really sucks as we were the super cautious family over the course of the spring/summer. Really feels incredibly defeating.
@Dr_Zaius good stuff from the others already. 5,000' over 50K isn't flat but not what I'd consider a hilly ultra. 7,000' is a little more like it, although with 1,000' of it in a single mile that's one serious climb with the rest pretty similar. What is "technical" just really varies, it's in the eye of the beholder. The one race I've run back East (Virginia) was in the Fall and between the heat/humidity, the rocks (all the gd rocks!), and the leaves, while it didn't have quite the long climbs that some of the West Coast races do, it was awfully tough. So really hard to know without being on the course what you'll actually be facing.Yeah 5,000' isn't that's much for an ultra.
Having a grand total of one ultra under my belt, I found it easier and more fun than a marathon. The biggest difference is that you can walk the uphills without feeling like a failure.
And nature. And softer footfalls. Food at aid stations.
Paging @SFBayDuck for the legit/useful advice!
Do not. I repeat, do not underestimate the power of the perfect pair of socks. This should’ve been the first thing checked off your list.Well, flying out tomorrow morning. Been thinking as little about this race as possible, and now starting to get thoughts together of what to bring, etc, and feeling nervous.
It's just a race, right?
Race day gear in carryon if you check bags.Well, flying out tomorrow morning. Been thinking as little about this race as possible, and now starting to get thoughts together of what to bring, etc, and feeling nervous.
It's just a race, right?
Don't forget your chews.Well, flying out tomorrow morning. Been thinking as little about this race as possible, and now starting to get thoughts together of what to bring, etc, and feeling nervous.
It's just a race, right?
Start chewing now. Don't stop until you cross the finish line.Don't forget your chews.
I plan to be glued to my couch/phone providing everyone with up to the second updates while they’re on the course. Buckle up, fellas! This one is going to be special.Race day gear in carryon if you check bags.
Compression socks on the plane.
All the lube.
I plan to get an actual long run in while you’re on the course in support of the @gianmarco racing team.
Yeah, I’m excited. My whole Sunday morning is cleared for this.I plan to be glued to my couch/phone providing everyone with up to the second updates while they’re on the course. Buckle up, fellas! This one is going to be special.
Beet juice, beet juice, beet juice.Don't forget your chews.Well, flying out tomorrow morning. Been thinking as little about this race as possible, and now starting to get thoughts together of what to bring, etc, and feeling nervous.
It's just a race, right?
My run this am was sucky. Just wasn't feeling it at all, even after going a couple miles with floppinho. Legs just felt like trash.I've had to run on the treadmill the last 2 days due to rain during my running windows. I clearly do something different on these runs than when I'm outside, because my calves always hurt post run. Stupid treadmill <_<
Also, I have not done @Zasada proud...I can't get my butt out of bed to run in the wee hours of the morning
Any sense of where/how you might have contracted it?
No idea where I picked up the COVID, but I have found it fascinating that nearly every single person has asked.Any ideas on where you might have been exposed? We've been really cautious as well, to the point my daughter is always complaining she's the kid left out of everything since her friends are hanging out and we won't let he do anything with others indoors.
This is where I start focusing on hitting my marks ...the sequence of events over the next couple days, then the marks to hit on race morning. Eg, fly in, check. Dinner tonight, check. Shake out run, check. Pick up race gear, check. Etc. It’s a succession of accomplishments, and you feel good about moving a step closer to the race.Well, flying out tomorrow morning. Been thinking as little about this race as possible, and now starting to get thoughts together of what to bring, etc, and feeling nervous.
It's just a race, right?
Between this and the mountain stage in the Tour de France, it's a Sunday sports extravaganza!Well, flying out tomorrow morning. Been thinking as little about this race as possible, and now starting to get thoughts together of what to bring, etc, and feeling nervous.
It's just a race, right?
Your stalking skills are legendary.I've received word that @gianmarco and mrs. g are on the plane and on their way to Wisconsin.
Where does the plane land? Minneapolis?I've received word that @gianmarco and mrs. g are on the plane and on their way to Wisconsin.
F5 F5 F5!!I've received word that @gianmarco and mrs. g are on the plane and on their way to Wisconsin.
Breaker breaker 1... 9er....we have a potential #2 emergency brewing up here.....we need to scout rest areas pronto.....Currently at Wal Mart getting walkie talkies for the drive up.
Pacer is not happy. Pacer's wife is thrilled. I am too.
Did you go into a time warp?Currently at Wal Mart getting walkie talkies for the drive up.
Pacer is not happy. Pacer's wife is thrilled. I am too.
Jealousy doesn’t look good on you.I wonder what Laverne and Shirley are doing right now?
Yeah, me too.Forgive me for asking again, but what time is race time tomorrow? Need to plan my run accordingly.