Torn soleus muscle

Question
Mr. DeHart

I'm a 38 year old male who's been running for the past 18 months. I found that I progressed rapidly and completed 2 half marathons within the first year of training.
For the last four months I've been training for a full marathon which I will run in four weeks. I've completed long runs of 33 and 34 kms (About 20 and 21 miles-I'm Canadian) but for the last two months I've been bothered by a nagging calf muscle injury. I visited my family Dr. last week who diagnosed me as having a small tear in my soleus muscle.
It is most troublesome when I get out of bed in the morning, which is also when I do most of my running. After about a mile it subsides a bit then the pain returns at about 15 miles if I'm doing a long run. I try to stretch it a lot before the run and try to ice it right after the run.
I realize that it's not likely to heal as long as I continue training but I don't want to give up this close to my first marathon. Can you suggest any excercises to reduce the pain? Would Advil or Mobicox be better to reduce the inflammation?
Thank you

Rob


Answer
dear rob
wants done is done.with 4 weeks to go you are lucky because 90 persent of your training is in the bank and this is what you are going to run on.the other 10 persent is just trying to stay healthy.it is very important to not let your ego get in the way and at this late stage.
there are no exercises for your calf.what you need to do is focus on the rehab while still maintaing your current fitness level.
my prescription,,,,stop running imedeatly and bike easy this week and one last long bike 3 hours easy at the end of week to mediam but don't push the hills because your trying to let the tissue heal.you can also run in the pool if you have access.those modalitys should  maintain your fitness.i would matain that schedule for the next 2 weeks maybe 3.you just don't want to take chances at this time.your main job is let your calf heal.you will make it to the line on time and if it has healed properly you .
next prepscription......ice after every workout and utilizing your antiinflamatory ongoing.DO NOT...strech your calf......hope that has taken some presure off you rob and just keep in touch with me over the next couple of weeks so we can stay on this as you wind down your training.....any other questions you know how to contact me.
the very best to you
John Dehart
rentacoachinternational
albuquerque new mexico  PS.don't get impatient now and go test it.give it time.the taper is the hardest part of proper preparation.look what happen to the two favorites in athens paula radcliffe womens who happens to be a good friend and paul terget mens marathon who is also a friend.
keep strong and believe.