Hello fraserb, I picked up running again after 25 years, used to run all the time in my late teens, to mid twenties. Since I started back in January 've had my bouts with calf pain, especially on my left leg. The key is to figure out what is making the pain appear and reappear over and over again, well, I figured out i had to make a few changes to my running technique and stop this pain, first I would massage the area where it hurts a couple of times a day, the pain intensifies as I do this but its ok, no damage done, drink enough water so that urine has the same color as lemonade, not too pale, when I can walk with no pain and stand on my toes with no pain then I;m ready to start running the following morning. It's very important that you start very slowly, theres absolutely no rush, if you use a hr monitor, dont worry if you're below you're aerobic level for 10 to 15 minutes, just keep slow and comfortable pace, very slowly pick up the pace, it might take another 2 minutes to finally reach your aerobic level, loosen your shoulders, concentrate on your legs being loose, but keep those shoulders loose, if you start to feel any discomfort try not bending your leg too much,, technique is the key,, for example i will extend my bad leg and land it a little more forward than usual , I would do it 2 times in a row during my run thre or fiour times, even when theres was no pain I would do this just to be safe,, I;m giving my soleus a rest every time I do this,
My calf pain has stopped, it's been 2 months now.. im running 6 miles during the week and 8 miles on Sundays, and I'm on cloud nine,, no pain..