How 1 Exercise Saved Her Marathon

Reading Time: 2mins

Last Updated: December 18th, 2024 at 11:04 pm

A couple weeks ago I sent out an email showing everyone how to test their calf strength at home

So many people told me about their test results

Some passed

Some didn’t

One of those who didn’t pass had an interesting story to go along with it

The lady I was speaking with is training for a marathon. Let’s call her Jill

She did the calf strength test and struggled to get to 20 calf raises on each side (a failing score)

Jill had also been having significant lower leg pain which was limiting her marathon training

She couldn’t push the pace because of her lower leg pain

Stopping runs short because she couldn’t go any farther

Wondering if she was going to be able to complete the training and run the race

Once she failed the calf raise test, she discovered her weak link

She told me about how she started doing calf raises virtually all day

Getting comments from her colleagues like “Are you doing calf raises again?”

Sometimes double leg
Sometimes single leg
Sometimes up with both heels then down with one

Simply strengthening the calves

After some time, she noticed a significant decrease in her lower leg pain while running

Which resulted in her running farther AND faster with no pain

Now she’s back on track for her marathon training

All thanks to some calf raises

If you’re a runner and not regularly doing calf raises, you’re missing out

Calf raises can be done at all hours of the day and require little to no equipments at all

While standing in line at the grocery store, bust out some calf raises
While waiting for your coffee to brew, bust out some calf raises
While waiting for your running partner to show up, bust out some calf raises

Sprinkling calf raises throughout your day is a great place to start

Giving them specific focus in your exercise routine takes it to the next level

Adding weight makes them even more intense

No matter how you like your calf raises, the benefit is in the doing

Happy runnin

Michael

Related Articles

How to Deadlift Safely

In last week’s newsletter, I laid out some basic concepts for my 12-week Own the Off Season 2025 program. Heavy Hex Bar Deadlifting is the centerpiece of the program and…
Read more

My #1 Health Tip for 2025

You know what my least favorite fitness goals are? Weight loss goals. Goals to lose X pounds by Y date. So boring and uninspiring.  I’ve got a better idea: choose…
Read more
We strive to help runners feel their best and run pain free