Legs felt great this morning, went to trail to do an easy 4 mile loop, as I did a double run yesterday. As soon as I started running, I was experiencing a 'popping' in both legs beneath my calf muscle. I have experienced this before when my muscles are tight, but never with the frequency I did today. I took it very easy, to see if it would work itself out, but it continued. A 1/2 mile into run, I stopped to do some calf stretches, and then started back at an easy pace with a shortened stride ... the 'popping continued, although less frequently. I kept it easy, and eventually it stopped, but I could still feel the tightness, particularly on inclines, which there are many on this trail. Talked to trainer at the gym, and they said it was definitely my achilles tendon. There was never any pain, & I am not really sure what the 'popping' was, other than my leg sending a signal to my brain that I better take it easy ... or something might really pop! I think the easy jog was good for it to stretch it out, & I definitely heeded the warnings & kept it easy - 10:20 AP. When I got to the steps at the base of the steep incline which covers most of Mile 4, I stopped my run. Counted the steps as I walked up them, as I always wondered how many there were that inflict pain on me every time I run this trail ... there were 65. Did some more stretching at the top of the steps, the enjoyed a peaceful walk up the hill & back to my car. Thanks to the lovely humidity that we enjoy here, I was still drenched at the end of the run, despite the easy pace ... so I felt like I got a good exercise in ... despite the issues. Will do some more stretching & Spin class tonight & probably find some flat running to do tomorrow. I run a lot of hills & it definitely is tightness caused from running up hill. Followed up Spin class with a short progression run of 1.8 on treadmill.
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