[Sonia Banana]

I've been trying to start running, but after a couple 20 minute sessions I started getting really bad pain in my calves and occasional muscle spasms. I can still walk for a few miles at a time without it getting too unbearable, but it's quite painful for me to run now. This is not normal soreness, but I have no idea what it is.

Does anyone know what this could mean? I seem to be prone to minor running injuries. When I was thinner I ran more and ended up with (what I thought was) a stress fracture, but I had to take painkillers constantly for assorted knee and ankle pains.

[VickyK]

Maybe it means don't run - it's pretty high impact on your knees!

Try walking, swimming, elipticals, etc.

And also try taking Folic Acid (get at Whole Foods for like $3). Helps noticably with muscle pains!!

[finn]

If you're only starting again (regardless if you've ran before) then I'd say you're going too fast, too soon.
Try the couch to 5k program maybe?

[EagleRiverDee]

Not sure the cause but agree that perhaps this is a message from your body to either not run or start very slowly at running. There are so many other fantastic types of exercise out there, I would try something different for a while.

[DrivenByAmbition]

I kind of had the opposite happen to me. I hurt a little after walking... Just could be your body adjusting.