How to get ride of stiff calves.

Foam roller. 

I'll have to check on one of those.  Any chance I can snag a noodle from one of the old ladies at the pool or is that not the same thing?  lol

I get them from time to time. I need to keep stretching on a regular basis and after each and ever run. It also helps to run a mile then stretch then continue the run.

How are you stretching?

I find yoga stretches like downward facing dog on two feet then on one helps. I sit with my feet out and front of me with a towel or strap around the insteps of my feet lean forward and pull on strap.

Tight calves can be from the whole back of your legs is tight from hips, glutes, hamstrings to calves. Try to stretch when you are warm the whole back side of your legs.

I use stretch routines I learned over the years from different martial arts classes.  Despite being a Clyde, I'm still able to actually do a split.  Prior to breaking my right femur in '91 I was able to actually do a straddle. 

For my calves and my feet flexibility I keep each foot flat as I stretch the hip forward of the foot position.  I do this several different ways.  One like most people do which is similar to a lunge (only keeping your foot flat), Another is with both feet flat while you are bent over and walking yourself forward with your hands.  Another is my long tv watching stretch where I sit and pull my toes back.  Lately I have done these pre-workout, post workout and randomly through the day because they won't relax for some reason. 

Yo yo Ima let you finish but downward dog is the best yoga move of all time. All time! 

No the noodles are too soft and too small.  I should clarify I would do this in addition to stretching extensively. 

Any time my calves are sore I use ice and it works. However, it might not help for the tightness. I also take salt tabs and stay hydrated to prevent cramping. I also use the foam roller and stretch. The only time I have issues is when I forgoe one of these things; usually it comes from nutrition with me.

Bike position and running technique can also cause problems.

Foam roller or 'The Stick'.  In the absence of either, massage would provide some benefits I would imagine.  And a noodle certainly couldn't hurt but it's probably not optimal.

I’ve had chronic calf issues for years, and what seems to work best for me is active stretching before I run and foam-roller/stick after. Go to performbetter.com and get one of the black foam rollers. They’re much firmer than the white ones you usually find at the gym.

I do a light warmup and then do three different active stretches, one for the gastroc, one for the soleus, and one for the Achilles/plantar fascia.

Compression sleves post-run seems to help, too. I didn’t notice a big difference in how I felt when I wore them during the run, so I just wear them for recovery.

Also, tight hip flexors and tight IT bands can cause tightness in your calves as well, so make sure you’re stretching and foam-rolling everywhere to keep that whole kinetic chain loose.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.  I'm not sure I can do much more for stretching but I love stretching so I don't mind adding even more.  I'll look into the rollers from the site Jim mentioned as well.

One thing that may be the problem is how I run.  I think I do sort of run with a bit of a limp.  I'll have to see if I can work that out.  It does seem that my right calf is a bit more stiff than the left.