Hi Drs
Despite being well trained for several years, and competing regularly in athletics and latterly powerlifting as well, I consistently suffer with calf trouble when training for my sprinting. My specialism is 400m, so although I say sprinting, it frequently involves more sub-max velocity training, incomplete recovery, etc to build stamina as well hence theoretically aiming to bump up running volume more than would be the case of 100/200 sprinters.
My right calf in particular fatigues, at best, faster than other muscles, and in worst case develops significant cramping and pain that means I have to end the session. Until yesterday I had just assumed this was a case of a weaker muscle there (I’ve read your info on cramping before, so am familiar with likely underlying causes of cramping in general terms). Therefore I’ve concentrated on doing what I can to strengthen my calf muscles, as well as paying attention to sprinting programming to attempt to manage training load/volume.
Yesterday I learned of intermittent claudication completely by accident and immediately it resonated with me in terms of the descriptions of the symptoms. Evidently my experience of when the pain/cramping occurs, when training sprinting, is different to the textbook walking scenario discussed most of the time online, but then like most people on here I am better trained than the average person on the street.
Furthermore, I’ve had a kidney transplant (9.5 years ago now), current eGFR usually in the range 45-50, and I see that CKD is one of the key items associated with claudication. I also read that sitting for long periods is associated with it, which would apply to me where I have a totally sedentary job and so do spend the majority of my day sitting.
Clearly it would be great if I didn’t experience the issue when training from purely a sporting perspective, but reading info on APD in terms of potential wider impacts on health, or what it could potentially indicate of broader artery/heart health, is of potential concern.
Would you recommend I get in touch with my GP and/or renal consultant?