What causes sore calves out of the blue when I have been excercising for years (both cardio and wieghts). I drink plenty of water. My calves have been really sore on and off for over a week.

I noticed the sore calves right after I started walking/running (on pavement). I stopped running but my calves are still aching with cardio (eliptical) a week later.

Any new activity is going to work the muscles in a way they're not used to. Running on a hard surface is a lot more "calf intensive" than elipticals are. If you keep with it after the soreness subsides, you'll keep the muscles conditioned and won't have that problem anymore.

thanks for your reply!

My calves are still bothering me, I am wondering if it is something else now or am I being a worry wart? I consider myself in good health, I eat properly and excercise.

Is it the calf muscle or the shins?

Is it the calf muscle or the shins?

Good point, are you experiencing the pain in the front or the back of the lower leg? It could very well be shin splints that you're suffering from.

It is mostly my calves, now that you mention it my front (shin splint area?) is a bit sensitive. But my calves get very tight when I do the treadmill or eliptical. I thought I might be doing something wrong, is it possible that my new sneakers are the culprit? They look like regular sneakers...(Sorry, I know that sounds ridicoulus) I just can't figure out why all of a sudden my calves are tightening up and sore.

Regarding the shin splints, ouch, those do hurt and I am aware of slight shin splints when I walk on pavement. Where do shin splints come from?

Thanks.

Shin splints are actually just soreness of the tibialis anterior muscle, which dont get used much except for running. When they first get exercised, it can be sore so deep it feels like it's in the bone, hence the name. It takes a while to go away, but should be used again as soon as it's comfortable to do so as to prevent it from becoming a chronic problem (conditioning the muscle keeps it from being sore all the time). I assuming the same may be true for the calves in this case. Being fit in general doesn't necessarily account for specific, small muscles. It's odd that they have been sore for so long, but unless it's a really disconcerting pain, I'd keep exercising them if it's not painful so as to keep them in use and prevent unnecessary tightness or disuse atrophy. Keeping the muscle moving can kill the tightness and get it 'up to speed' with the rest of the body.

ok, thanks, your answers got me thinking, although I am excercising and felt fit, I wasn't working my calves at all prior to walking at night, that is why they started rebelling. I realized that doing the eliptcial wasn't doing anything for those calves muscles, since they are basically stationary while doing this type of cardio. I have been back to walking at night and my calves are getting used to the idea whether they like it or not :)

ok, thanks. I thought I was in good shape doing weight training and the eliptical for cardio but it wasn't until reading your answers that I realized the eliptical was keeps my calves stationary, sure I am doing 3 miles a day but what was it doing for my leg muscles...nothing. That's why the calves were rebelling. I have added back walking at night and I feel good. Thanks again.