Comment

Comment by Lori Enlow on February 10, 2015 at 12:21pm

I use the golf ball...more uncomfortable, but really breaks up tiny adhesions and gives me more relief/release. I gradually work into a deep pressure

Comment by Richard Walker on February 10, 2015 at 2:04am

Hi Lori and thank you for your support.
Do you use a tennis ball to massage your plantar? I get good results using this method. The golf ball can be a little harsh.
R

Comment by Lori Enlow on February 8, 2015 at 3:32pm

Glad to hear your progress! I tend to get plantar fasciitis and I have found massaging the tight calves, trying to find tender spots or knots has been huge....best wishes!

Comment by Richard Walker on February 8, 2015 at 11:33am

Update: after taking Eric's advice and regularly massaging my tight gastroc and soleous, I have been able to make better progression. During a massage, whenever I identify a tight trigger point I have effectively released this tension by using a golf ball, tennis ball or trigger stick (roller). Painfull at first but after a minutes perseverance it eases and loosens up, giving instant relief.
My foot strike, cadence and posture have all improved massively. Combined with the exercise regimen, I have concentrated on my drills. This has without doubt been a massive leap forward and my confidence has grown exponentially. Going from an injury riddled 'wanna-be' runner I can now say I am pushing out 3 x 10km trail runs per week. These, I must admit have been cautious affairs and whenever i have felt discomfort I have stopped to stretch out (predominantly my calf). Over time these have reduced as well and is now only required after a particularly hard climb.
There does seem to be a residual issue now though and it's soreness along the peroneous longus. This also seems to be concentrated to where it attaches to the head of the fibula. I am releasing this tension with a suitably placed golf ball but it's still a minor post run issue. I am hopeful that increased L&R leg uphill slant boad exercises will strengthen this area. I am assuming that the issues are arising from perhaps my foot rolling in my gait cycle. I think this is pronation or plantar flexion which is stressing my peroneous longus (guess who has been googling this one)!! Anyway, I am monitoring this carefully and compared to where I was 3 months ago I couldn't be happier with my new found running form. Awesome!

Comment by Richard Walker on December 29, 2014 at 12:28pm

If there is one thing I am sooooo guilty of is just not resting or permitting any niggles or injuries to heal. Where some injuries respond to active recovery some need RICE. I have struggled in the past to determine between the two. I shall take your advice and look to massage more than stretch. On a positive note I have made significant gains with my posture and range due to level one. I won't lie to you......I am itching to get stuck into the drills and I am confident that I will be stood on a hill top looking down onto Jackson Hole within 12 months. Now there is a New Years resolution if I ever heard one!

Comment by Eric Orton on December 28, 2014 at 6:38pm

Yes, keep us posted Richard.  One thought based on your comments and the persistence of this calf issue, if you are stretching ALOT in an effort to help, this might be causing more trouble.  If so, I would stick to just self-massage right now and try to relax the muscle(s).

Comment by Richard Walker on December 22, 2014 at 3:03pm

Hi Eric,thank you for the advice.
I will be treating my calf issues with kid gloves. This is a long standing issue which has ultimately brought me to you and your methods, For which I am very grateful as I am at last making progress.
Although I do have an additional complexity. In order to get my CV fix I have been cycling (a lot - 7hrs per week min over several years) and this has developed my legs in such a way that it has made my transition to running slightly more problematic.
My intention is to implement your suggested isometric strength holding technique and gauge the results. I will look at my run capability in another week and hopefully progress to a km or two by the end of January. This will be eight weeks since the last suspected tear.
I will keep you posted.
Thank you once again.

Comment by Eric Orton on December 19, 2014 at 10:35am

Thanks for posting and great work.  If you are having issues with gastric/soleous, I would watch how much calf raises you do.  Isometric holding strength will be better for this until pain free.  So just a thought - keep us posted.