Stretching Won’t Fix Your Tight Calves — Do This Instead

Building muscle the right way nearly wrecked my running—because tendons don't play by the same rules.

Ever felt like you're doing everything right—strength training, stretching, foam rolling—only to end up injured anyway? In this episode I break down the unexpected reason why runners who lift can still wind up with nagging calf and Achilles issues. I share exactly how I trained my way into injury and the critical insight I learned about the difference between muscle and tendon adaptation. You’ll learn how imbalance could be the real culprit, why your stretching routine might be working against you, and what to do instead. If you've ever dealt with tight calves, mystery “shin splints,” or stubborn tendon pain, this episode will shift your entire approach to training.

Key Takeaways

1. Tendons adapt much slower than muscles, so overloading with strength training too fast can lead to injury—even when you’re doing “everything right.”
2. Deep tissue release and mobility work help more than static stretching, but it’s important to train your body to keep the new range or it will just tighten up again.
3. Training only the back of your legs without strengthening the front leads to overload. Balance across muscles and even between left and right sides helps prevent breakdowns.

Timestamps

• [00:16] What You'll Learn
• [01:03] The Real Problem (Why Feet, Calves & Shins Get Ignored)
• [02:02] Strength Training Isn't Just For Gym Bros
• [03:14] Why Stretching Your Calves Doesn't Work (Unless You Do This)
• [04:27] Use This Free Download To Fix Your Achilles Calf Issues Now
• [05:12] The Problem With Too Much Posterior And Not Enough Anterior Strength
• [06:29] Achilles Overload & Sprinting: When Strength Backfires
• [07:25] The Fix: Eccentrics, Load Management, Patience
• [07:56] Shin Splints: The Catch-All Diagnosis
• [09:01] The Bigger Lesson: Balance Symmetry
• [10:04] Finish Line Thoughts: Strength is Step One. Tendons are Step Two

Links & Learnings

• 📈 Get your free Fix Achilles & Calf Bundle here - https://dlakecreates.com/calfachillesfree
• 🎧 Listen, read and learn more here - https://dlakecreates.com/calfachilles
• Strength Training For Runners Toolkit - https://dlakecreates.com/what-happens-to-runners-when-they-strength-train-for-life/
• Why Feet and Shoes Are So Important As We Age - ****https://dlakecreates.com/ever-runner-should-know-these-three-things-about-shoes/
• Dr. Marie Whitt Fit- Prevent Tight Calf and Ankles - https://youtu.be/xeUrOoVkupc?si=kkcem-x3PGiv5sGl
• Trent Salkavich Practice — Biomechanica (Sydney, Australia) - https://www.biomechanica.au/
• 10 Weeks To Strength Running App - http://10w2s.com/
• Instagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreates
• Strava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507

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