John - im wondering how Tight or Sore or Weak your Tibilias Anterior muscle is? Here
When clients keep getting sore calfs, no matter how much stretching etc they do, then i always 1st go and look at this muscle. (there might be other issues, but i rule this one out 1st)
Foam rolling works a treat - typically you’ll find the extreames sore, either up top near your knee or lower near your ankle (typically).
Self massage
Tens
Then you need some strengthening
a 10lb sledge hammer works great as the handle prevents you from sitting in a bunched up position.
i go for 20reps - thereabouts.
wk 1 - i keep away from the burn
wk 2 - do about 3-4 reps into the burn
wk 3 onwards, go for broke
Its a stability muscle, and if you burn it right away in reps, you wont be able to walk…
As for stretching it, most Thigh stretches tend to do a good job at the same time.
Oh - and if you can, (access) HEAVY calf raises help too - more so with a 3-4second pause at the very bottom Stretch postion - doing around 10reps or so, not really focusing on the top full range, your more after getting the muscle working with heavy weight and full stretching. I got up to some serious heavy weight myself, and calfs grew maybe 1cm… Calfs love it.
Oh - yeah, and Golf ball foam rolling on your FEET arches. yeah baby yeah, feels awesome