Update on me… I have been running barefoot (unshod) for about 6 weeks. I am up to 1 mile now. I started slow (I have a BF friend who is guiding me through this. He has recently run a marathon barefoot), but I am still having some set-backs. I am not blaming my injuries on BFR specifically, I imagine the same thing would have happened if I ran shod. I am not a runner, or at least, I haven’t run in over 20 years. So these just might be growing pains of running in general (I’m 49 yrs old).
Anyway, the pain is near the bottom of my calf. I was doing my 1 mile BFR run and ¾’s of the way into it I got a cramp in my right calf. I only had a ¼ mile to go so I tried to mentally relax the calf. It seemed to work to some degree. I wasn't racing (it was a 13:10 mile) or pushing hard. There was no great pain or any “pop” – just a cramp sensation. However, after the run, about 15 minutes later after I got out of my car, it hurt in my lower calf every time I took a step. It doesn’t hurt when I raise my foot (toes) up, but rather when I point my foot (toes) down. So it hurts when I push off as I’m walking.
Does anyone know how to diagnose these things? Is it a cramp pain or a tendon strain? Is there anything I could do to diagnose it myself and what would anyone suggest as far as treatment for either problem?
Thank you all in advance for any advice you can provide.
Regards,
Joe
Anyway, the pain is near the bottom of my calf. I was doing my 1 mile BFR run and ¾’s of the way into it I got a cramp in my right calf. I only had a ¼ mile to go so I tried to mentally relax the calf. It seemed to work to some degree. I wasn't racing (it was a 13:10 mile) or pushing hard. There was no great pain or any “pop” – just a cramp sensation. However, after the run, about 15 minutes later after I got out of my car, it hurt in my lower calf every time I took a step. It doesn’t hurt when I raise my foot (toes) up, but rather when I point my foot (toes) down. So it hurts when I push off as I’m walking.
Does anyone know how to diagnose these things? Is it a cramp pain or a tendon strain? Is there anything I could do to diagnose it myself and what would anyone suggest as far as treatment for either problem?
Thank you all in advance for any advice you can provide.
Regards,
Joe