Painful calves from Racing Spikes?

I usually do about 50 miles a week. This past week I raced a 5k with my racing spikes. At about mile 2.5 I started to have really bad calf pain. The pain is still here, 2 days after the race. Any tips on how to allieviate/prevent pain when running with racing spikes?





Also, I wear orthotics on my regular training shoes.

Painful calves from Racing Spikes?
This problem is commom amongst long distance runners who rarely wear spikes to race.





When you run on your forefoot at race pace in joggers or racing flats your foot will slightly shear the ground, and slip backwards as your calf prepares for propulsion.





When you wear spikes however, the slip does not occur, and it puts a much greater load on the calf. As your muscles are not use this stress, microdamage occurs and you are left with sore calves!





A thorough warm up will help as cold muscles are more prone to injury, but it would be a good idea to do a speed session or 2 per week in your spikes to strengthen your muscles.





As previously suggested, go and buy some distance spikes with an EVA heel, sprint spikes will only compound the problem.





I wouldnt worry about wearing your orthotics in the spikes unless otherwise advised by your podiatrist. They will add excess bulk and weight to the spike and do little to prevent injury or pain over such a distance.
Reply:i need you to answer a question first,


what sort of spikes do you have because you want 1500m spikes.





and did u warm up well this will include:





stretching, jogging, strides (a very quick run but not quite a sprint) and thinks like bum flicks and nee raisers



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