my strain experience?

Ok have not trained for a while... Months

Started three weeks ago, pretty light, all muscle groups but relatively light maybe 30% of what WAS lifting before. Also started interval cardio building up gradually.

Ok missed last half of last week to flu. Began yesterday and hit it hard, lifting was fine, but started hard core cardio the Guerilla kind. Went fine but after my left calf was very strained near the bottom (not the big muscle part but nearer to the ankle). I mean tight as hell too.

Now I'm not going to miss anymore training, will still lift upper body and do cardio, but was thinkking rowing machine cardio as opposed to running

What do you guys think??????

Dark Horse

Your key phrase is: "OK, have not trained for awhile...months." With your monster cardio, you are stressing your achilles tendon, which joins the calf muscles to the heel bone. Lay off the cardio and aerobics until it "heals." If you don't and you tear the tendon, you won't have to worry about cardio for quite awhile. Since you are starting over, take it easy in everything. Don't push. You will come back soon enough. Easy workouts, rest between sets, drink lots of water, add protein to your diet. Once you can get through several workouts easily, then, work harder, but take your time. Ease into your fitness routine. It will pay off in the end.

Scott "Old Navy" Hults, NFPT-CPT; NGA-CPT FAME, NGA & IDFA Natural Master Pro Bodybuilder FAME, NGA & OCB Contest Judge [image]http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/6610/shlogo2hor8tk.jpg[/image]

is the pain still there? if yes you might want to check with your doc to rule out achilles tendonitis. It will only get worse thru continued exercise, so you're better off waiting for it to heal.

If you are still in pain, you should be resting and icing (this will decrease circulation to your ankle to lessen swelling)....another good idea while healing achilles tendonitis (if that is what you have) is to use a heelpad to prevent your heel from dropping down and further stretching your injured tendon.

hope this helps somewhat.