Tearing a calf muscle, the same calf muscle I always
tear – in the same place – is frustrating. Equally frustrating is the limp home
required as the tear makes it increasingly impossible to run, then walk fast
and then walk at all, as the tear starts to swell. On Saturday it was pouring
with rain: a nasty storm. It wasn’t safe to go out on the bike. By Saturday
evening I was full of beans and rearing to go for a run. I changed into winter
running gear (running tights, thermal top, running jacket, gloves and a hat),
stretched and set off. I felt a little stiff, but went easy for 30 minutes.
I
then decided to do 2 x 5 minute intervals. The first went well and I felt good.
No signs of any problems. At the end of the second interval, I felt something go
in my lower calf. It felt as though that part of the calf had been stretched
marginally beyond its elastic limit. It wasn’t sore, just noticeable. I slowed
to an easy jog as home was 3km away. As I jogged on it became increasingly
apparent I had torn my calf. I limped the last 500m to the house. Once inside,
I got out some ice and tried to reduce the swelling. I took it easy all
evening, but it has been a bit sore ever since. I will certainly not be running
again for a few weeks.
Years ago I would have been banging my head against the
wall. I used to do huge amounts of running and then, when injury struck, do
nothing until it healed. Having moved from running only to triathlon some years
ago, I no longer feel this way, especially in the off season. I just take a day
off, let the swelling go down and revert to cycling and swimming only. The
hours I’d usually give to running just getting re-allocated. This way I stay
fully fit. Cross training works. I was able to get on the bike on Monday morning
and cycle 30km to work without any discernible pain. I will cycle and swim
until my calf is healed and then return to running gradually.
I can no longer
understand runners who get injured and sit out their recover in abject misery. There
is no need. Get on the bike or into the pool. Don’t stop training. Those who do
turn to the bike or to swimming often find they enjoy it and then start doing a
few duathlons, aquathons and even full triathlons. While swimming doesn’t
appeal to everyone – you need to be able to swim (and ideally front crawl), you
need access to a swimming pool, it is indoors and some find doing lengths of a
pool boring (but it is no more boring than a running treadmill) – cycling will
appeal to most runners. It gets you outside, you can cover miles and miles in
an hour or more, you can train with groups (friends, cycling or triathlon clubs,
etc.) and it will keep you trim.
What’s not to like? Doing a bit of cycling
also strengthens your Iliotibial Band
and almost every other part of your legs, thighs and backside. It improves your
running strength. Doing some cycling opens your eyes to a world of athletic
events for which you need a bike. This includes the races already mentioned,
but also cycling club races, sportives (like the Ring of Kerry), cycling
holidays and, if you don’t do so already, you might even starts cycling to
work. Cycling also comes with more boys toys than running. You will have an
excuse to buy a bike and all the gear necessary to get you out onto the road.
Or, if you don’t like the road, into the mountains for some mountain biking.
Why not give it a try?
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