Q. re. passive stretching.

I'm a new runner and am encouraged to learn a range of static/dynamic stretching techniques for use after/between my runs. Particularly with the calf area, I find it very easy to feel as if I've overstretched and added to any potential problems rather than mitigated them.

In that situation, the thing to do would appear to be to leave the area alone to recover/realign naturally.

Q. Where a muscle has been exercised, as best as is possible to say assuming no extreme conditions, how long on average should it take to return naturally to what I'll call a neutral or pre-exercised state?

I understand that from your perspective I haven't brought any technical depth to what is I'm sure a complex subject, but if you could find a way to work with my question, that would be great.

Thanks,
Andy.