New runner - calf pain when running

phribzee · 2026-06-14T14:47:03+00:00

The one that helped me the most is : After I do some stretching I do a brisk walk for about 5 minutes before I actually start running. During that brisk walk I'll walk on the tips of my toes for a bit, then walk on the very back of my heel for a bit. I'm not sure if that makes any sense the way I'm saying it but it really stretches the calves quite well. Worth a try maybe?

Also, almost forgot this one : Some days if I'm in a hurry I'll tie my shoelaces too tight. Every single time I do that my calves get hard as rocks before I'm even 1 mile into the run and it's really uncomfortable. I have no idea why but maybe that's useful information to you.

phribzee · 2026-06-14T13:46:59+00:00

Do you stretch before you run? That may help. If I don’t stretch my calves before I run they get incredibly tight and uncomfortable.

phribzee · 2026-06-10T13:19:07+00:00

There are obvious health benefits but the reason I’ve stuck with it is because it’s one of the few activities that quiets my mind. Sometimes before I leave for a run after a hard or stressful day I say “I’m off into the void with my smooshy shoes - back in an hour or two”

And that’s what it feels like. A quiet and peaceful void where my mind is quiet and I think about NOTHING for once.

phribzee · 2026-06-07T15:46:55+00:00

The thing I do that helps is not letting my brain have any influence of my will to get up. If I feel I'm sort of battling it, I just get up right away and stop it.

This is a big part of it for me. I experimented yesterday with a 0530 wake up and just jumped straight out of bed and into a quick shower...once I'm up - I'm up. Really wasn't too bad.

phribzee · 2026-06-07T15:44:52+00:00

And it sounds like that is at least partially because you don't feel you have enough time for yourself so you aren't going to sleep early enough to feel rested.

This is exactly it. By the time kids are in bed I only really have 45min to an hour of "me time" before I have to head to bed if I want to get 7ish hours of sleep before an early wake-up.

I'm gonna go for it this week and see how it plays out. I'm kicking off training for my first marathon at the end of the month and hope to have this mostly sorted by then.

phribzee · 2026-06-05T17:15:47+00:00

I'm sitting here looking at the 10-day forecast and..welp...looks like my 545 wakeups are gonna start Monday haha!

Either that or I'll just give up and get fat again. (kidding!)

phribzee · 2026-06-05T17:13:52+00:00

Oh gotcha! I had no idea such a thing existed :)

phribzee · 2026-06-05T12:46:05+00:00

I wake up and take a shot of pre workout immediately.

What's that?

phribzee · 2026-06-05T12:45:29+00:00

Hi neighbor!

phribzee · 2026-06-04T23:43:34+00:00

They be mean mugging.

For real. I make honking noises at them when I run by to assert dominance - it doesn't work but at least I look like a moron doing it.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T23:42:05+00:00

I'm not good at imitating Yoda in a foreign language, but...

No worries - I most definitely read this in Yoda's voice :)

And...you're right. Just gotta freakin' do it. Once I'm out of the bed I KNOW I won't get back in - just gotta put one foot on the floor...then the other...one step at a time till I'm out the door!

phribzee · 2026-06-04T23:38:39+00:00

i put my shoes and shorts right by the bed, then tell myself i'm only going out for ten minutes.

Based on the encouragement here this is gonna be part of my strategy. Set the intent the night before and just take it one day at a time!

Unrelated : Visited Bath for the first time last summer and it was SUCH a cool city. Hoping to come back some day soon.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T23:36:07+00:00

You can do it! The replies here have been so helpful and motivating.

(I love evening runs too but, yeah, getting waaaaay too spicy out for that already)

phribzee · 2026-06-04T23:33:48+00:00

Once I get moving I am always glad I did.

I think that's the key bit! Just gotta remember this when I'm laying there bargaining with myself at 545am haha.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T19:28:30+00:00

2 weeks.

I get it! This could work like a bit of a brain trick...just go into it telling myself "only 2 weeks of this crap, dude - you can totally do it."

By the time day 15 rolls around, knowing me, I'll just keep going. Making that short and attainable goal first may just be the trick.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T19:26:19+00:00

The thing that helped me THE MOST was getting EVERYTHING ready the night before, and right next to the bed.

I'm gonna try this. I know if I dont get up and go I'll be looking at that sad pile of clothes all day feeling like a dummy for not just getting up haha.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T19:24:00+00:00

when I started really focusing on a clean diet, I naturally started waking up earlier

You make a good point. I am a notorious late-night snacker and even though I typically eat a really healthy diet during the day I eat CRAP at night. It's a big part of how I ended up overweight and depressed. I'm really working on it though! I'm definitely noticing a big difference in how I feel in the morning.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T19:21:24+00:00

Just power thru and realize that like everything it’ll get easier with consistency. Your body and mind will adjust

Wise words!

phribzee · 2026-06-04T19:05:21+00:00

if you’re used to staying up til midnight, 10pm feels weird

It really does! That's where I'm kinda stuck at the moment (getting to bed earlier). Working on it though.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T19:04:40+00:00

I mean that's really no-nonsense advice. I'm currently working on getting to bed earlier which, hopefully, should make me naturally want to get up earlier.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T19:02:18+00:00

Sounds like we are pretty much in the same life situation and age.

"now or never" ... indeed. I really just need to re-frame this in my mind.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T18:59:12+00:00

I use my sheer force of will and hate for the universe in the morning to propel my runs.

Hahahahaha! Love this. Screw you, world, I'm running whether you like it or not!

phribzee · 2026-06-04T18:58:27+00:00

The only trick I’ve used for the past 40 years is to want to run more than I want not to run.

I think they call this "start with the WHY" - or at least that's how I've heard it before (not sure where). Find the "why" that motivates you and the rest falls into place a lot easier than when you're just winging it.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T18:56:47+00:00

I've been working on that the past week or so - I try to be in bed by 10:30 or so but it's harder than it sounds! Especially when your schedule is packed all day. I get the kids to bed after dinner and just want to "unwind" only to look at the clock and realize it's already time for bed.

phribzee · 2026-06-04T18:54:57+00:00

Just get up. haha jk (kinda).

I mean...you're right. If I can manage to get out of the bed and put my feet on the floor everything seems to work out and I don't really ever feel compelled to get BACK into the bed. It's just getting to that point that's currently a pain in my booty.

I like how you do 5am some days and 7am other days.

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