Stiff and Tight Calf Muscles During Jog/Run

Question
Dear sir,

I am a male in my mid fifties and have been jogging/running since I was in my twenties.  Recently, I picked up my jogging/running again after a layoff of few years.   I noticed that each time after a few hundred metres into my run, my calf muscles becomes very stiff and tight making it very difficult to continue.  I usually do about a few minutes of warm up before my run.   I even bought a new pair of running shoe hoping that the problem was with my shoes but the problem persist.  I have never had such problems before my layoff.  Would appreciate your advise on this.   Thank you.

Answer
Hi Lawrenz
What your experiencing is quite normal coming back from a long layoff.It is not the shoes.The most important thing coming back is a great great deal of patience as you move forward and your muscular skeleton system adapts to a new overload of tendons,ligaments, and collagen.It is very important that you work back gradually and listen to your body talk to you.You will be experiencing many more situations but doesn't mean there is anything real wrong,just your muscular skeleton adapting to the increase stress as you gradually ramp up your workouts.Your body will adapt at it's own pace and if you over do some days your body will give you some talking to like slow down Lawrenz give me time,don't push so hard to fast,in time i will get you where you want to be.Deal.Two things which can help you recover from some of things you will encounter is epson salt baths and 500mg vit c with your 3 meals a day for tendons,ligaments and collagen and icing for your calf muscles and any place else as time goes on.Any questions just get in touch Lawrenz.

All the best

John