Aching calf muscles

Hi all,
I went to the Chillfactore indoor slope yesterday and today my calf muscles are aching. I've been going to the gymn to be ready for my next trip in three weeks. I'm working mostly on my quads because that's where I usually feel it when skiing.

Is there something about my technique causing the calf ache? Is this common?

Thanks

Nobody? I was hoping that was a dead giveaway for a technique problem. Anyway I've bought "The all mountain skier" and a Harold Harb book so I'm trying to figure things out.

This topic is covered towards the end of the following post

http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/5032.page

Have fun :D

caron-a wrote:

Iceman wrote:What about extensive calf ache?

I had that big time this trip, and it still hurts. I wondered if I wasn't stretching enough but I'm now beginning to wonder if it's all the knee strapping... My brace (and strapping on the other knee) is done up really tight so pushes my calf muscle down. I then put my boots on and it pushes the muscle back up so it feels like it's being condensed into a 3 inch gap. It was alright when I skiing but when I took the boots off... man alive :shock:

I'm glad you brought this up again. I think I'd like to ellaborate as I get the feeling it may cause me problems again.

To clarify, quads, hamstrings, thighs, et al, not a twinge. Shin (muscles) a bit sore which, I was told, meant I was in the correct position. Calf muscles as above. Just to be clear, I have no pain with my boots.

So, one day off the slopes, the neoprene/strapped leg is fine. Five days off the slopes, the hinged brace calf still hurts, particularly to the touch.

I'm wondering if my first theory was correct or could it be something else? My husband's advice is to ditch the brace but I'd appreciate any other suggestions.

I'd say your OK, Mike. You do use your calf muscles when skiing, and even though you may be working out - there are some things you can't completely replicate. :)

Thanks for that. I've just never really noticed before so it seemed like I was doing something wrong, or something right.

My calf muscles hurt more on my recent trip to St Anton than I ever remember than previous. Put it down to a change in usage.

here's a thought

what is the circumference of the calf at the top of the boot cuff?..... a ski boot with a 14degree forward lean is designed to work optimately with a calf of 13 to 14 inches in circumference. for every 1" more than this you get pushed 1/3" forward, if this is happening then the calf and the quads will feel the burn.... the solution is to flare the top of the boot back to allow a slightly more upright stance [not the same as straightening the cuff] it is just ot take pressure off the calf muscle...beleive me this works, i always suffered a little with the calves in my own race boots [17degree forward lean] i flared the cuff back by 12mm and skiied 9800vertical meters before lunch on only the second days skiing since last march.... no thigh or calf burn at all :D :D

alternatively if your calf muscle is not greater than 14" then lots of stretching is the normal solution