Calf pain and

Question
I am a fairly consistent jogger/ runner.. I have been running about 6 - 9 miles 4-5 times a week, sometime I go for 10 days before having a break ..
( I am female and 32yrs old)
About 7 days ago when I was running I suddenly had a severe pain in my left calf - right up the back it it, in the middle of the leg. I tried to push on but could not.
I then tried to run again the next day but my calf was still very very sore and I could not stand on my toes. So I iced it and rested it etc. I did a couple of cycle classes and then took a 4 day break from any exercise except slow walking. But I have been finding my calves very tight when I wake up in the morning.
I took a break and today tried to run again and I experienced a similar pain - not as severe, numb toes and "heavy legs"...
My right calf was starting to hurt as well, but in a different spot - from the ankle up.
So now BOTH my calves are sore.. and I only managed to run for 35 minutes this morning and had to walk the rest of the way.

HELP, what do I do I want to start running again..

Answer
Hi Shauna
First,most injuries come on slowly and give you signals and it is your job to interpret them before they get worse.You can trace every injury by back tracking with a lot of thought as to the route,hills,speed,shape of road,con cave,etc,track work,hill work,recovery days,new shoes,streching after, etc.etc.Get the picture,because that is what you will see when you carefully track back,and for you it might be before that 7th day.The sign your calfs are tight in the morning when you wake up is good.They are trying to heal if you let them.Your other calf is getting sore because it is trying to compensate for you to protect the one that put you down.You are going to have to wait till the GLU dries before you start hiting it again.This is the price us runners pay for not recognising the problem ahead.I have a 206 marathoner who is just coming back after a 2yr lay off from torn calf muscle,and i keep telling him to stay off the track and do the speed in a straight away.Guess what?he is having a hard time listing to what i'm saying,but with out a question agrees he should not go to track.History has a way of repeating itself.If you continue to do what you have allways done,you will continue to get what you have allways got.Thought you might enjoy that little story.It brings it home doesn't Shauna.Your siuation is leading to some serious problems if you don't rehap it and give it time.First give yoursef 3 weeks of walking on flat,no inclines or race walking.Second,start taking 500mg vit.c with your three meals a day.This is like GOLD for runners and active people.Third you have to ice after every walk for 20 min.on and off and other times if you can.No biking or stair master,eliptical.JUST WALKING.You can also take some EPSON salt bathes which are fantastic for the tissues and relaxing the muscles.Your situation is not serious now,but it could be if you don't bite the bullet for a while and tend to it.After 3 weeks you can start testing the waters again,but gradually.Small price to pay now for the many great runs in the future.I hope this gives you a focus shuana.Any questions get in touch,and keep me posted on how your doing with your rehap.

All the best to
you and your calfs

John